2017-2020
Northern Rivers community recovery after the flood
Staff involved: Professor Ross Bailie; Dr Veronica Matthews; Professor James Bennett-Levy; Dr Judy Singer; Dr Sabrina Pit, Dr Megan Passey; Dr Jo Longman; Associate Professor Geoff Morgan; Dr Margaret Rolfe; Ms Lee Duncan; Ms Maddie Braddon
Through a population-based survey, this cross-sectional study aims to measure the impact on mental health and wellbeing of residents (16 years and older) in Northern Rivers’ communities six months after the April 2017 flood. It will examine relationships between mental health and wellbeing and the: degree of flood impact; perceptions of the adequacy of the pre-flood mitigation/warning systems and relief service response (government, community and insurance organisations); and level of personal and community resilience.
The survey examines, in a rural context, the degree of mental health distress by different exposure groups (flooded/ disrupted without flooding/unaffected); and in particularly vulnerable groups including the homeless, older people, young adults, Aboriginal people, farmers, and business owners. We are using validated measures to assess anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to better inform existing and future service provision required in response to natural disasters.
The findings will inform current mental health service needs and policy and service response mechanisms for future preparedness planning for natural disaster events. It will specifically inform the design of: a) community-based mental health and wellbeing interventions to mitigate the impact of the recent (and future) flood events; b) more in-depth research to inform strengthening of disaster relief responses; and c) a prospective cohort study to monitor community mental health and wellbeing in the medium (1-2 years) and longer-term (3-5 years).
Collaborators:
Northern NSW Local Health District, University of Western Sydney, University of Wollongong, NSW Office of Environment & Heritage, Rekindling the Spirit, Salvation Army, Social Futures, Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul, Winsome Soup Kitchen, Lifeline, NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet, Thomas George’s office, North Coast Primary Health Network, Lismore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lismore City Council, Helping Hands, Southern Cross University, Interrelate, North Coast Community Housing, Richmond Tweed Library Network, Northern Rivers Community Gateway, Real Art Works, Thrive 2484, NSW State Emergency Service, Tweed Shire Council, Murwillumbah & District Business Chamber, Tumbulgum Community Association, Ocean Shores Community Association, Murwillumbah Community Centre, Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre, Jullums Aboriginal Medical Service.
Funding:
University Centre of Rural Health
University of Sydney
Western Sydney University
University of Wollongong
Northern NSW LHD
NSW Office of Environment & Heritage
2013-2021
Aboriginal e-Social and Emotional Wellbeing Project
Staff involved: Professor James Bennett-Levy; David Edwards; Dr Judy Singer; Talah Laurie; Sharnie Roberts; Kerryn Harkin
During 2019-21, UCRH have developed the Wellmob social and emotional wellbeing website (www.welmob.org.au) in collaboration with Australian Health InfoNet. Wellmob brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing resources from across the Internet into one portal. Launched in July 2020, UCRH are now promoting Wellmob nationwide.
‘e-SEWB programs’ include social and emotional wellbeing apps and online mental health programs. We have developed and conducted training programs for Aboriginal health professionals and others working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote and support the use of e-wellbeing programs with their clients.
As part of recent funding, the training will now be extended to other regions of NSW during 2018-19. To date, three papers have been published from this project (Singer et al., 2015; Bennett-Levy et al., 2017; Bird et al., 2017).
Collaborators:
Lismore and Tweed Advisory Groups; Queensland University Technology; Menzies School of Health Research; the Black Dog Institute (UNSW)
Funding:
Department of Health and Aging: nation al $12 million funded project (e-MHPrac); to UCRH $2.8 million
2008-Ongoing
Facilitators and Barriers to the Use of Imagery-based Interventions by cognitive-behaviour therapists
Staff involved: Professor James Bennett-Levy
Research over the past 10 years has shown Imagery-based interventions to be one of the effective types of therapeutic intervention with certain types of psychological disorder (e.g. Post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, abuse problems etc.).
However, it has become clear that therapists often have reservations about using imagery-based interventions in their therapy (e.g. “it might get out of control” – “I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing”). We are conducting qualitative and quantitative studies to determine what the main barriers are to therapists using imagery interventions, and identifying strategies that may help to facilitate their use.
Collaborators:
Bolton University (UK); Manchester University (UK); University of Auckland (NZ)
2008-Ongoing
Enhancing psychotherapist skills through self-experiential training and self-reflection
Staff involved: Professor James Bennett-Levy
How can we get better results from psychotherapy for mental health issues than we do currently? The answer appears to lie not so much in developing better therapies – results from credible therapies show little variation in outcomes. Rather, the answer seems to lie in developing better therapists. In 2001, James Bennett-Levy published the first paper on the self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR) approach to therapist training. Since then, he has collaborated with researchers in UK, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Ireland, USA and Australia to develop and publish SP/SR studies (2003-present). SP/SR is now established as a leading therapist training strategy. James is Series Editor of four Guilford Press SP/SR books featuring 4 different therapies (CBT, ACT, Schema therapy, Compassion focused therapy) and is co-author of two of these. Recently he has developed a theoretical model of personal practice for therapists which is gaining wide acceptance (2018/19 papers).
Collaborators:
University of Newcastle (UK), Cumbria NHS Trust (UK), Massey University (NZ), Chinese University of Hong Kong, Karolinska Institute (Sweden), East Washington University (USA), Dublin University (Ireland), Australian Catholic University, Curtin University, Monash University, University of Queensland
2017-ongoing
Arts-based compassion skills training for Aboriginal clients
Staff involved: Professor James Bennett-Levy, Natalie Roxburgh, Kaiden Powell, Kerryn Harkin
Following a one-year pilot of study to trial compassion focused therapy with Aboriginal clients (focused on the enhancement of self-compassion skills), funded by the North Coast Primary Health Network (2017-18), the Department of Health have funded a 3 year project to trial arts-based compassion skills training with Aboriginal clients. As part of the project, local Aboriginal health professionals will take part in the trial as part of their training to develop facilitator skills. Rollout of the project has been delayed by COVID-19. However, as an initial adaptation, Aboriginal health professionals are being trained online as participants in an arts-based wellbeing and self-care program, focused on compassion skills training.
Collaborators:
Rekindling the Spirit, Bunjum Corporation, Bullinah Aboriginal Medical Service, Namatjra Haven.