This is a not-for-profit family friendly festive event to celebrated National Mental Health Week 2021. This highly visible festival is being planned by a wide range of groups and individuals with links to many with mental health issues. Their experience will aid in restoring and building community connections and cohesiveness and reduce stigma associated with […]

World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.  The theme for WMHD 2021 in Australia is, Look after your mental health, Australia. Mental Health Australia is funded to run a national awareness campaign in Australia for WMHD 2021.

Faye Lawrence had been a heavy but high functioning drinker since her teens – almost 30 years – before she wound up in inpatient detox in 2017.  Shortly afterwards she started Untoxicated (Booze-Free Fun and Friendship) which has grown to be a national charity and not-for-profit with almost 10,000 members across Australia. Hear how Faye […]

Newborn drug withdrawal is often attributed to maternal opioids, but many other drugs can cause serious problems in the newborn infant. The impact of prenatal substance exposure extends beyond the newborn period and may have serious long-term consequences on the infant until adulthood. Early identification, intervention and awareness of the potential problems caused by maternal […]

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention to the language of change, and is a highly recommended, evidence-based approach to helping people address their substance use behaviours.  It is recommended for all practitioners based in AOD and mental health settings who provide direct support to people experiencing substance use concerns. […]

This forum aims to provide opportunities to identify and discuss gaps and barriers to culturally capable and effective service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The program will include: an epidemiological overview of the current bloodborne virus and sexually transmissible infections environment in North Qld a profile of the clinical, policy and service delivery […]