The recent floods in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales have devastated the community.  Being psychologically prepared when a disaster is threatening can help people feel more confident, more in control and better able to make effective emergency plans.  It can also help to reduce the psychological distress and longer-term mental health problems that can result from the trauma of being involved in disasters.  The attached information sheets developed by the Australian Psychological Society outline some useful skills that will help with disaster preparedness and recovery.

Floods

The APS has released a series of information sheets to assist parents and students with the strategies to support students with learning difficulties during the e-learning phase and within the classroom environment.  We hope you find this information informative and helpful.

General Information

• Helping children Transition Back to School in the COVID-19 era Advice for Parents and Carers
• Supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the COVID-19 environment

Primary School Series

• Maths Tips for children with learning difficulties and disabilities
• Literacy Tips for children with learning difficulties and disabilities
• Tips for children with Attention and Executive Functioning difficulties and disabilities

Secondary School Series

• Maths Tips for students with learning difficulties and disabilities
• Literacy Tips for students with learning difficulties and disabilities

Dr Shaw knows first hand the stress of having a newborn baby during these uncertain times with the birth of her third son during the COVID-19 pandemic.  With her first two children, Simone relished the fourth trimester (that is, the postnatal period) by meeting other new mothers at cafes, parks and libraries to chat all things babies.  However, government restrictions have prevented new mothers the opportunity for emotional and physical nourishment and care that they crave and deserve during this time.  Physical distancing does not mean social isolation.  You are not alone and there are virtual and face to face support options still available to new mothers to help them navigate this precious, but demanding phase of their motherhood journeys.  Sure Psychology offers face to face and telehealth appointments to suit your needs.  Contact us to discuss your specific needs or to make an appointment.

For further advice and support:

• Tips for managing COVID-19 Anxiety and Stress
• Support to help expecting and New Parents anxious about coronavirus
• Gaining control of your life after having a baby – A Self Help Workbook for Postnatal Depression
• Postnatal Depression – a Self Help Guide

From Monday 30 March 2020 until 31 December 2021 all Australians are eligible to receive a rebate from Medicare for psychological services delivered via Telehealth (i.e., videoconference or telephone).  Rebates are available for clients referred by their GP or Psychiatrist under the Better Access to Mental Health Care Scheme.

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Building Emotional Resilience Through Yoga and Psychology Workshop Series

After a successful launch in 2015, Simone partnered with Clayfield Yoga to present a series of workshops focusing on Building Emotional Resilience through Yoga and Psychology.  Throughout these workshops participants experienced a combination of yoga and meditation techniques as well as proven lifestyle strategies to help increase motivation, reduce stress and make positive life choices. Overcoming life’s challenges is not always easy!  Simone is a member of the APS Psychology and Yoga and APS Psychology and Complementary Therapies Interest Groups and is passionate about collaborating with other health care practitioners in order to assist individuals overcome their mental health challenges.

Do you find it easy to know what you want, know where you want to be and how you’re going to get there?  Some people have a clear sense of purpose and direction in their life and they just seem to be able to find the motivation and perseverance to turn their goals and dreams into reality.  This is an interesting article and TED talk based on research investigating the relationship between having a strong sense of purpose and direction and longevity.

It might be time to take stock of your life to ensure you have a sense of purpose and direction to help you stay motivated towards your goals; provide you with direction; help you to become resilient in the face of adversity and remain optimistic when faced with challenges.

It is widely known that what we eat effects our physical health and wellbeing, that is, you are what you eat.  Our bodies are machines and the fuel that we put into them determines how well they function.  If we eat dirty fuel (i.e., high fat, sugar, processed foods) then it is not surprising that we can feel sluggish, tired and cranky.

Although I am not a nutritionist, I know that there are some foods that I eat that affect my mood.  My general philosophy is if you experience any physical (e.g., bloating, diarrhoea, constipation), mental (e.g., difficulty concentrating) or emotional (e.g., irritable) symptoms after eating certain foods, then your body is telling you loud and clear that you should probably avoid these foods.

I’m excited to be part of the nutrition and mental health revolution where psychologists and nutritionist are now working collaborative to assist clients with improving their mood by understanding the intricate relationship between nutrition and mental health.

The Nourished Psychologist is a great resource written by a clinical psychologist who is currently studying nutritional medicine and provides invaluable information to improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing.  This is an interesting article on the link between gluten and mental health.

One of the most important things that we do everyday is sleep.  When we are stressed, anxious or depressed, then the amount and quality of sleep we get is often lacking and disrupted.  It’s important to highlight that sleep disturbance is a very common phenomenon when we are stressed due to conscious and subconscious worrying.  It’s important to understand the importance of sleep and then adopt some strategies to assist with improving your sleep if you are currently experiencing difficulties.

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