Thanks to Black Inc Books, Catherine and I have just released a new edition of Mental. Here’s the blurb from the website: Become your own mental health expert Mental illness is too often portrayed with a sense of despair, as if it’s a life sentence. Nothing could be further from the truth. Virtually everyone improves…
Health Care Workers & COVID – What should we tell our families?
As Health Carer Workers (HCWs) we are anxious about spreading the infection to our families and the people we live with. On top of that, our friends & families are worried about us because we face an increased risk. It is an important time to have conversations that explore the risks and share decision making.…
Managing Anxiety & Stress during the COVID-19 pandemic
The majority of this article was written by the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention in the USA (CDC). Links and phone numbers have been adapted for Australia, and some information has been changed to adapt to Australian circumstances. Stress and Coping The outbreak of COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be stressful for most people.…
COVID-19 Survival Guide – Key things to know in case you get sick
This is a quick guide to the essential health info you need for preventing, preparing for, and having COVID-19. There are many resources online, especially at the Australian Health Department Coronavirus info page. Below is a quick & basic summary. Prepare yourself Stay fit – eat, sleep, exercise Give up or cut back on smoking…
Mental: Everything You Never Knew You Needed to Know about Mental Health
Become your own mental-health expert Psychiatrist Dr Steve Ellen and comedian Catherine Deveny combine forces to demystify the world of mental health. Providing an insider perspective, they share their personal experiences of mental illness and unpack the current knowledge about conditions and treatments. What do we know? What don’t we know? How do we get…
Sydney Morning Herald article addressing suicide – Bourdain, Spade: questions remain, but this much is certain
Published 10 June, 2018 – https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/bourdain-spade-questions-remain-but-this-much-is-certain-20180610-p4zkld.html#comments In the last week we’ve witnessed the deaths by suicide of two high-profile figures – Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Both seemed to have the world at their feet – loved, supported, sought-after, wealthy and admired. Both deaths came as a complete shock to those who knew them best.…
Should we all get regular mental health check-ups?
An article from the Nine Coach site where I comment on the issue of regular mental health check ups and whether we should all get them (spoiler alert – No!). http://coach.nine.com.au/2016/11/11/14/57/jesinta-campbell-mental-health-check-up-frequency
Man Up: inspired genius or half-baked celebrity expertise?
Man Up is a three-part ABC documentary exploring whether the stereotype of the emotionally-stunted, stoic Aussie man is contributing to our high rate of male suicide. It’s done from the perspective of a quintessential Aussie bloke – Gus Worland – one of three male co-hosts on the Grill Team, a Sydney morning radio show that’s…
Election survival guide: nine tips for politicians and one for us
We’re off and racing; an election is booked for July 2. For most of us this means a little extra news to digest each day, a few extra likes to click on Facebook, and a chance to voice our treasured opinions. But for those in the business of politics it’s a marathon like no other.…
Celebrities and politicians tell us their deepest, darkest secrets. Why?
Public figures sharing private information is the norm nowadays. Our thirst for information, combined with the wonders of the internet and lax approaches to privacy, is creating a perfect storm. News outlets, websites and social media swim with self-disclosure. Politicians share their private lives; celebrities explain their indiscretions; athletes appeal for understanding – while we…