This three part session will cover some aspects of organisational and personal strategies to support and promote optimal mental health in the workplace. Whether you are a manager/ leader or employee, learn more about how best you can support yourself and others. This session will cover the practical application of a mental health framework to the workplace, practical tips with dealing with stressors in the workplace including 'workplace performance anxiety' and the impact of mental health problems in the worker.
Associate Professor Jo Connaughton, APAM is the previous Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Mental Health Special Interest Group and ex-Secretary of the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Mental Health (IOPTMH). In July 2018 Jo Connaughton stepped down from Dean, School of Physiotherapy at University of Notre Dame Australia following a physiotherapy career spanning over 40 years. In her 30 years of clinical work Jo practiced in almost all aspects of physiotherapy in metropolitan and regional WA, working with people from across the lifespan in both public and private settings including acute mental health. As Discipline Leader in an acute mental health facility Jo worked predominately with people aged between 18 and 65, however, also worked with older adults and supervised physiotherapists working in the psychogeriatric units. Jo joined the University in 2007 and in semi-retirement now teaches undergraduate students pathophysiology, presentation and treatment of mental health conditions. She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor and advocates for this to be included in undergraduate degrees. Jo’s research in the mental health field includes exploring attitudes of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students towards mental health and psychiatry and more recently how these are influenced by inclusion of Mental Health First Aid training in undergraduate programs. Jo has also researched headaches experienced by people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and has presented her research findings at National and International Conferences.
Susan Edgar, APAM has been involved in the education and training of healthcare students and clinicians for over 20 years. Research areas include mental health literacy, student motivation and engagement and health workforce retention and job satisfaction. In 2016 Susan won a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in the Australian Awards for University Teaching, for implementing and promoting life-long wellness and self-management strategies to enhance the mental health, confidence and emotional wellbeing of physiotherapy students on clinical placement. She continues to deliver Mental Health First Aid Training to physiotherapists across Australia and has recently finished co-writing the Level 1 Mental Health course for physiotherapists. In May 2021, she commenced as Program Coordinator for ECU’s Student and Staff Mental Health Strategy, coordinating a range of actions supporting student and staff mental health and wellbeing. She also volunteers weekly as a crisis supporter for Lifeline WA
Ruth Lira, APAM has been working in Private Practice for the last 10 year, and is dedicated to understanding the psychosocial impact of injuries and motivate clients towards a better physical and mental health & wellbeing, and a meaningful life. Her work experiences include working with balance/ vestibular disorders, War Veterans and motor/ work vehicle injuries, and general musculoskeletal injuries, including monthly physiotherapy services to some wheatbelt towns where support are intermittent. She is involved in the WA mental health committee and presented on Post traumatic stress, amongst other topics. She has a special interest in working with performing artists, including singers and musicians and is currently doing post-graduation studies in “Performing Arts Medicine, with a particular interest in performance anxiety and the biopsychosocial effects of injuries in this population.
Mental Health National Group
04/10/2022
1.5 Hours
Please note: The content of this Lecture on Demand (LOD) was captured via a recording of a live lecture at the APA premises. Due to the nature of the event and the recording method, this LOD may not have captured some of the questions/comments from live audience. Your purchase of this module indicates your acceptance of this.
