corp_-_easa

Motivational Interviewing: A Supportive Approach to Building Motivation and Change

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:35:37 GMT

A Supportive Approach to Building Motivation & Change

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative communication style designed to help people explore their own motivations, overcome uncertainty, and move toward meaningful personal or professional change. Developed by psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, MI is widely used in counselling, coaching, healthcare, social services, and leadership because it empowers people rather than pressures them.

At its core, MI draws out a person’s own reasons for change - because people are far more likely to grow when their motivation comes from within.

What Motivational Interviewing is:

Motivational Interviewing is built on four guiding principles:

Partnership - working with a person, not directing them
Acceptance - respecting autonomy and showing empathy
Compassion - prioritising the person's wellbeing
Evocation - drawing out the individual's own ideas, values, and motivations

MI uses communication skills often summarised as OARS :

O pen-ended questions

A ffirmations

R eflective listening

S ummarising

These support productive, respectful conversations that help people better understand themselves and what they want.

Why Someone Might Seek Out or Need Motivational Interviewing

People often turn to motivational interviewing when they feel stuck , uncertain , or overwhelmed by a change they want - or need - to make.

Common reasons include:

1. Ambivalence About Change

Someone may want to change but also feel resistant or unsure.
Examples : improving health habits, reducing stress, changing jobs, or addressing burnout.

MI helps people explore both sides of their ambivalence and find clarity.

2. Feeling Unmotivated or Low in Confidence

When people doubt their abilities or struggle to get started, MI helps reconnect them with their strengths, values, and past successes.

3. Navigating Major Life Transitions

During times of uncertainty - career shifts, personal challenges, or new responsibilities - MI provides guidance without judgement or pressure.

4. Struggling With Follow‑Through

Someone may know what they want to do but have difficulty maintaining momentum. MI helps break goals into manageable steps and strengthens commitment.

5. Wanting Support Without Being Told What to Do

Many people resist advice-giving or feel discouraged when others take a directive approach. MI offers a respectful alternative where the person’s voice leads the way.

How Motivational Interviewing Helps in Everyday Life

Supports personal growth and reflection

MI helps people understand their values, clarify their goals, and make decisions aligned with who they want to become.

Reduces defensiveness and conflict

Because MI avoids judgement or pressure, people feel safe, respected, and open to new perspectives.

Encourages meaningful, lasting change

People act more consistently when their motivation is internally driven - not externally imposed.

Strengthens communication and relationships

Practicing MI skills improves empathy, listening, and emotional awareness.

Benefits of Motivational Interviewing at Work

1. More Effective Leadership

Leaders who use MI build trust, encourage autonomy, and help employees navigate challenges without micromanagement.

2. Better Coaching and Development Conversations

Employees feel ownership of their goals and take more responsibility for growth.

3. Improved Team Dynamics

MI reduces defensiveness and fosters open, honest communication.

4. Enhanced Wellbeing and Engagement

Employees feel heard, supported, and motivated - crucial for maintaining wellbeing and psychological safety.

Motivational interviewing is a powerful, human‑centred approach that helps people move from uncertainty to confidence, from pressure to empowerment, and from hesitation to meaningful action. Whether used in personal life, coaching, leadership, or workplace conversations, MI strengthens motivation by helping individuals connect deeply with their own values and aspirations.

When people feel understood and supported - not judged - they gain the clarity and confidence needed to move forward.

The 12 Brain Rules

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:00:00 GMT

12 Principles for Thriving and Surviving at Work, Home, and School

Are John Medina's 12 Brain Rules Still Scientifically Accurate?

Yes. A 2023 peer‑reviewed review concludes that newer research continues to validate Medina’s original 12 rules and supports their relevance across modern learning and cognitive science settings. [ijefm.com]

Medina’s rules are also grounded in peer‑reviewed, replicated research, which he specifically cites throughout his book, Brain Rules .

What Are the 12 Brain Rules?

1. Exercise – Exercise boosts brain power

Aerobic activity improves cognition, memory, and executive control.
Video: Exercise boosts brain power (Vimeo)

2. Survival – The human brain evolved, too

Human intelligence is shaped by evolutionary pressures favoring adaptability.
Video: Survival (Vimeo)

3. Wiring – Every brain is wired differently

No two brains are alike; experiences rewire the brain (neuroplasticity).
Video: Wiring (Vimeo)

4. Attention – We don’t pay attention to boring things

Emotion, novelty, and meaning drive attention.
Video: Attention (Vimeo)

5. Short‑Term Memory – Repeat to remember

Working memory is limited; repetition strengthens encoding.
Video: Short‑term memory (Vimeo)

6. Long‑Term Memory – Remember to repeat

Repeated retrieval helps consolidate memory long‑term.
Video: Long‑term memory (How memory works – Vimeo)

7. Sleep – Sleep well, think well

Sleep enhances attention, memory, and problem‑solving.
Video: Sleep (Vimeo)

8. Stress – Stressed brains don’t learn the same way

Chronic stress impairs memory and learning.
Video: Stress (Vimeo)

9. Sensory Integration – Stimulate more senses

Multisensory experiences enhance learning.
Video: Sensory Integration (Vimeo)

10. Vision – Vision trumps all other senses

Visual input is processed faster and retained better than other sensory information.
Videos:

11. Gender – Male and female brains are different

Sex‑based differences exist in emotional processing, stress responses, and certain cognition patterns.
Video: Gender differences (Vimeo)

12. Exploration – We are powerful and natural explorers

Curiosity drives learning; the brain thrives on exploration and novelty.
Video: Exploration (Vimeo)

�� Additional Full Presentations

• Full “Brain Rules” Talk (Talks at Google)

• “12 Brain Rules” Summary Video

Transitioning from Regional & Remote Work

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 05:30:00 GMT

How does working remotely impact you?

When transitioning during or after working in a remote environment you might experience a time when you feel a need to readjust to your own life, your own family and work role. It is natural to experience strong reactions during this readjustment. The following information may assist you in understanding your reactions and helping you manage them.

Living and working with another culture can be psychologically demanding. The process of adjusting to an unknown environment is called ' culture shock '. Culture shock is a type of exhaustion that results from the extra mental and emotional effort required to exist and work in an environment that is different. While your work may be satisfying, the mental and emotional effort required to observe, comprehend, and respond to a myriad of differences from morning 'til night, day after day, can have a cumulative physiological effect over time.

Likewise, when you return to your life, you may enter a period of readjustment, which can be more difficult than adjusting to the new culture. Working in a a remote community may have stretched all you capabilities. You may have been required to make decisions directly impacting people in significant and powerful ways. You may have formed deep attachments to the people with whom you have been living and working. After such a challenging, rewarding and demanding time, life can suddenly feel trivial or superficial. You can find yourself questioning the values of your own culture.

This is all part of transitioning back to 'home'.

Some common reactions:

Feelings of Disorientation
Numbing feelings and/or feeling immobilised
Feeling unmotivated
Sleep disturbances
Difficulties with decision making, problem solving or concentration
Changes in appetite
Anxiety
Relationship difficulties
Avoidance of thinking or talking about remote work experience

Feeling unsettled
Feeling isolated
Limited social contact
Irritability or anger outbursts
Periods of crying
Feeling overwhelmed
Depression
Reduced social activities
Difficulty finding meaning in life and the every day

Stress

Some reactions are due to stress. Dealing with so much cultural difference requires extra energy, constantly . Stress is a normal and natural part of life, but too much stress can make it difficult to cope with everyday life.

Individuals need to socially reconnect with their friends who may not understand their experience, while workers who have adapted their skills to a different environment, now return and look for challenging goals. Sometimes, returning workers will have to solve material issues like financial support or accommodation. Integrating such intense experience can require psychological support, particularly after the organisation's contractual liability has ended and the worker is left without backing.

In addition to the psychological aspects of stress - feeling a loss of control - stress triggers a physiological response. Stress can be managed by using various techniques that can enable you to feel more in control of your life.

When Under Stress, The Body:

Mobilises stored energy by increasing the heart rate and activating the immune system
Redirects blood from non-essential systems to the brain and muscles
Sharpens senses, cognition and memory

Stress Management Techniques Include:

Recognising and accepting the period of readjustment
Getting more uninterrupted rest
Talking to loved ones
Debriefing with work colleagues
Writing down the experience to gain perspective
Making time for activities you have always found enjoyable
Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, creative visualisation
Exercising regularly to release muscle tension and accumulated adrenalin
Finding a suitable counsellor of your reactions are prolonged or intense

Stress Management can increase the possibility of:

Achieving a clear, calm mind
Utilising acquired skills appropriately
Gaining motivation to achieve personal goals

Re-entry Syndrome

Re-entry Syndrome (ReS) is the psychological response experienced by individuals returning home from field work in a different environment. After a few days of initial euphoria, many returned (aid) workers can experience feelings of bereavement, loss and isolation due to feelings that nobody really comprehends what they have been through or that others are not really interested.

Unaddressed ReS is a problem when the individual turns to alcohol or drugs to cope, adversely affecting family and friends. When returning from remote work, they need to relax, or seek out other returned workers to share common emotions and experiences.

It is important for remote workers to reintegrate with their own community.

Trauma

Experiencing a traumatic event in a remote community can cause reactions that may last a few days, a few weeks or several months.

Those who interact with victims of trauma (i.e. injury, loss, or serious threat) can acquire 'secondary trauma' and therefore experience their own reactions. Their world view might be challenged and trust in others undermined.

Fortunately, we are resilient and usually recover quickly, though it still may be useful to seek professional support from a qualified counsellor or supervision support during your remote stay. It doesn't make us week or crazy - it simply indicates that specialist advice is required to learn how to minimise and manage the personal impact of a traumatic event.

Avoid excess consumption of drugs, alcohol or food as coping mechanisms - they bring only temporary compensation - as well as rushing any major decisions (i.e. choosing to return immediately to the remote community).

Support information for remote workers in the Northern Territory

CRANA Bush Support Services (24 hour counselling): 1800 805 391

EASA Inc. (Appointment-based counselling and supervision through workplace EAP): 1800 193 123

Relationships Australia (Appointment-based counselling and supervision through workplace EAP): 08 8950 4100

SEWB Social and Emotional Well-being (CAAC): 08 8959 4750

Lutheran Community Care (Financial counsellors/budgeting etc.): 08 8953 5160

Lifeline: 13 11 14

13 YARN: 13 92 76

Managing Perimenopause and Menopause: A Guide for Working Women

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 14:30:00 GMT

Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause: This is the transitional period before menopause when estrogen levels start to decrease. It typically starts in a woman's 40s but can begin in the 30s. It can last from one to ten years, with an average duration of four to six years. Symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.

Menopause: Menopause is officially diagnosed when you have gone 12 c onsecutive months without a menstrual period. The average age for menopause in Australia is 51 to 52. Symptoms include persistent hot flashes, vaginal dryness, weight gain, and sleep issues.

Understanding Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Supportive Supplements:

HRT: HRT can help alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal discomfort by replacing estrogen and progesterone. It is most beneficial when started within 10 years of menopause onset. It can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve overall health. Always discuss with your healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and risks.

Topical Estrogen: Topical estrogen, such as vaginal creams, has a lower risk profile and is effective for local symptoms like vaginal dryness and discomfort. It has minimal systemic absorption, reducing the risk of side effects.

Supportive Supplements: Supplements like black cohosh, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, phytoestrogens, maca root, probiotics, B vitamins, magnesium, L-theanine, and turmeric can help manage various symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

Common Changes and Why They Occur:

Hormonal Fluctuations: Decreasing estrogen levels cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular periods.

Physical Changes: Weight gain, changes in skin elasticity, and bone density loss are common.

Emotional Changes: Mood swings, anxiety, and depression can occur due to hormonal imbalances.

Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments:

Diet: A balanced diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phytoestrogens can help manage symptoms. The Mediterranean diet, which includes lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, is highly recommended. Ensure adequate fiber intake and limit added sugars to less than 25g per day to reduce visceral fat.

Exercise: Regular cardiovascular and weight-bearing exercises can help maintain a healthy weight, improve mood, and strengthen bones.

Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking can lead to early menopause, and excessive alcohol consumption is linked to increased breast cancer risk.

Informing Family and Friends:

Communication: Openly discussing your experiences with family and friends can provide emotional support and understanding.

Education: Sharing information about menopause can help your loved ones understand what you're going through and how they can support you.

Mental Health Support:

Seek Help: If you experience sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, it's crucial to seek professional help. Mental health support can include therapy, support groups, and medication if necessary.

Self-Care: Practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help manage stress and improve mental well-being.

Remember: Every woman's experience with perimenopause and menopause is unique. It's important to find what works best for you and to seek support when needed. You're not alone in this journey. ��

Resources:

Jean Hailes: Creating a healthier future for all women.

By integrating these strategies into your daily routine, you can take proactive steps towards managing perimenopause and menopause. Remember, it's about finding what works best for you and being consistent with your efforts. ��

Helpful Tips from the EASA Team

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:18:29 GMT

Helpful Tips from the EASA Team

We understand that, often, the tools and tricks you learn in your counselling sessions may be overwhelming or difficult to remember.

Additionally, it can sometimes be tricky to know where to start with your sessions. You may know that you are feeling badly or struggling day to day, but it may not be clear to you why this is.

For this reason, our team of qualified clinicians have put together a catalogue of educational and instructional tip sheets to help guide you through different areas of daily mental health and wellbeing.

These tip sheets cover many topics from anxiety to hypnosis, to the conditions of your personal or professional environments and how they can impact your mental health and wellbeing.

If you feel you need some support but aren't sure where to start, or if you are looking to equip yourself with some helpful instructions to guide you outside of your counselling sessions, we encourage you to check out our Tip Sheet catalogue below:

Ask your clinician about our tips sheets or pick some up the next time you visit our offices.

If you feel that you are struggling and need some support, you can contact us at:

Darwin:

(08) 8941 1752, or

easadarwin@easa.org.au

Alice Springs:

(08) 8953 4225, or

easaalicesprings@easa.org.au

In Case of an Emergency

EASA is not a crisis service. If you or someone you know is in danger, please contact the following helplines:

000 - Emergency Services

13 11 14 - LifeLine

World Mental Health Day 2025

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day shines a global spotlight on the importance of mental wellbeing. It’s a day to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and advocate for stronger policies and services that support mental health for all. Moreover, it’s a moment to share stories, offer hope, and remind ourselves that mental health is just as vital as physical health.

Why It Matters

Mental health affects every aspect of our lives—from how we think and feel to how we connect with others and navigate the world. World Mental Health Day provides a powerful opportunity for individuals, communities, and professionals to come together and talk openly about mental health. It’s a chance to ask: What more can we do to make mental health care accessible, inclusive, and effective for everyone?

2025 Theme: Connect with Your Community

This year, Mental Health Australia invites us to “Connect with your community.” Whether it’s your friends, loved ones, cultural groups, or local clubs, community is where we feel safe, seen, and supported. And that sense of connection is essential for good mental health.

Community can take many forms:

Friends, loved ones, your mob
A multicultural centre
A community choir
A community garden
A book club
A running group
A local volunteer team
An LGBTQIA+ group

Whether at home, work, school, or online, Mental Health Australia encourages everyone to start conversations, reduce stigma, and reach out for support. Because when we connect, we heal.

Daily Tips for Mental Wellbeing

To celebrate World Mental Health Day, Mental Health Australia has launched a 2025 calendar filled with daily tips for good mental health throughout October. In collaboration with ReachOut—Australia’s leading online mental health service for young people—the calendar is designed especially for those aged 16–24, or anyone young at heart.

Mental Health Australia also partnered with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. Together, they’ve created a First Nations calendar to share and follow along with your mob during October:

https://www.mentalhealthaustralia.org.au/get-involved/world-mental-health-day/download-your-2025-mental-health-day-calendar/

Take Action

This October 10, let’s do more than observe—let’s engage. Whether it’s joining a local event, checking in with a friend, or simply sharing a resource online, your action matters. Together, we can build a world where mental health is understood, supported, and celebrated.

R U OK? Day

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:38:59 GMT

Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day.

Life’s ups and downs impact all of us, so chances are someone you know might be struggling.

Research by R U OK? indicates that those who are regularly asked, 'are you OK?' report increased feelings of wellbeing. Moreover, a third of Australians say they've been asking others more often over the past year. That means many of us are already showing up for others in meaningful ways, but when it comes to conversations about how we’re really going, some people are less confident than others.

It’s natural to feel a little hesitant, but the good news is nine in ten Australians report feeling grateful, supported and cared for when someone genuinely asks them if they're OK - and that’s a good reason to give it a go.

4 Steps That Could Change a Life:

Ask: R U OK?

Be friendly, relaxed and engaged
Help them open up with questions like "How are you going?" or "What's been happening?"
Mention things that have made you concerned for them, like "You seem less talkative than usual. Are you okay?"

Listen with an open mind

Be considerate, take what the person says seriously and don't rush the conversation
Don't judge
If the person needs time to think, allow it and just sit with them
Encourage them to explain things in-depth
Demonstrate that you've heard what they've said by repeating things back to them and ask if you've understood

Encourage Action

Ask: "How can I support you?"
Encourage self-care by asking: "What's something you can do for yourself right now that's enjoyable or relaxing?"
Explore possible supports the person could utilise, like family, friends, Lifeline and Beyond Blue
If they've been exhibiting a low mood for more than 2 weeks or is at risk, contact a professional as soon as you can

Check In

Call the person soon after your conversation
Ask them if they've found ways to manage the situation. If they haven't don't judge them. Encourage them again
Stay in touch and support them. Genuine concern can make a big difference

If Someone Needs Expert Help...

Some conversations are too big for family and friends to take on alone. If someone's been really low for more than 2 weeks - or is at risk - please contact a professional as soon as you can:

PLEASE NOTE: If you believe that a person's life is in danger, call 000 .

Wear It Purple Day 2025 | Why EASA Will Wear It Purple

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:44:38 GMT

Artwork by Lee Evatt (He/They)

Instagram @blonde_pigeon_

Why EASA Will Wear It Purple!

Wear It Purple Day strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.

At EASA, equipping professionals and organisations to best support their teams is what we do, and acknowledging and fostering support for our rainbow young people is a vital part of this process.

Let's delve into how you and your team members and workplaces can contribute to understanding the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQIA+ identities. Wear It Purple suggests the following key points to begin your exploration:

Education & Awareness: Encourage ongoing education about diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality. Adults can attend workshops, read literature, and engage in conversations to broaden their understanding. You can also try exploring online resources such as TED Talks, podcasts, articles and the Wear It Purple website. Platforms like these offer a wealth of content on these topics. You could even invite external speakers or use internal resources to facilitate sessions.
Promoting Inclusivity: In the workplace, adults can actively promote inclusivity by advocating for diverse hiring practices, creating safe spaces, and ensuring that policies and practices consider the needs of all employees. If you are a leader, ensure support for Wear It Purple initiatives. Your commitment sets the tone for the entire organisation.
Amplifying Voices: Use your position to amplify the voices of marginalised groups. Highlight their experiences, challenges, and achievements. This can be done through mentorship, sharing stories, or organising events.
Challenging Bias: You can challenge stereotypes and biases when you encounter them. Whether it is in meetings, casual conversations, or decision-making processes, standing up against discrimination is crucial.
Intersectional Policies: Advocate for policies that address the unique challenges faced by individuals at the intersections of race, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQIA+ identities. This might involve parental leave policies, mental health support, or cultural competency training.

Remember, fostering an inclusive work environment benefits everyone and contributes to a more equitable society.

Looking for more resources to help you create a more supportive and peaceful environment for your team? Check out the Wear It Purple resources below to find out what they do and what you can do to get involved:

Resources from Wear It Purple

Looking for specific information?

Click any of the below buttons to view the various resources and articles created and distributed by Wear It Purple.

You can find printable posters and guides, digital material for your organisation, and further information on Wear It Purple and their cause.

CORP | Leading For Resilience

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Why Resilience is the New Superpower for Leaders

Leadership has never been easy but in today’s world, it feels like the ground is constantly shifting. Change is faster. Pressure is higher. And the people you lead are looking to you not just for direction, but for steadiness, clarity, and hope.

In times like these, the most essential leadership skill isn’t strategy. It’s not charisma. It’s not even vision. It’s resilience.

The Reality of Leadership in Uncertain Times

Let’s be honest: the last few years have tested even the strongest leaders. Whether you're a team lead, department head, or executive, you've probably had to make decisions with incomplete information, navigate change fatigue, and hold space for your team’s stress—while managing your own behind the scenes.

That’s a heavy load. And for many leaders, it’s been wearing thin.

Resilience is what allows you to keep going without burning out. But more than that—it’s what allows you to lead well, even in the hard seasons. It’s your ability to adapt without losing yourself, to stay grounded when things get messy, and to model steadiness for your team.

What Resilient Leadership Really Looks Like

Resilience isn’t just about pushing through or pretending you’re fine. It’s about how you recover, how you stay present, and how you lead others through complexity. Resilient leaders:

Stay connected to their purpose even under pressure
Know how to regulate their stress responses and emotions
Communicate with transparency and empathy
Make room for reflection, not just reaction
Create safety and stability for their teams—without faking perfection

And the best part? These aren’t traits you’re either born with or without. They’re skills you can build.

The Case for Investing in Resilient Leadership

Research backs this up: resilient leaders are more effective, more trusted, and better at retaining and empowering their teams. A Harvard Business Review study found that leaders who model resilience increase employee engagement and reduce turnover, especially during times of disruption.

In other words, when you develop your own resilience, it doesn’t just benefit you—it ripples out across your whole organization.

Imagine leading in a way that helps your people not only survive the storm—but come out stronger on the other side.

Ready to Lead with Strength and Stability?

That’s exactly what our new workshop, Leading for Resilience , is designed to help you do.

This isn’t another “leadership pep talk.” It’s a hands-on, research-informed experience that gives you the mindset, tools, and real-world strategies to:

Strengthen your own resilience as a leader
Foster a culture of trust and adaptability in your team
Navigate challenges with clarity, calm, and confidence

Join Us for This Essential Workshop

Whether you’re leading a small team or shaping the direction of a whole organization, Leading for Resilience will give you what you need to lead from your core, not just your calendar.

Don’t miss out on this invaluable opportunity to attend our workshop in Darwin on Thursday, 21st August 2025 . The full-day session will run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ACST , and costs $530.73 to attend.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

When leaders are resilient, teams are too. And resilient teams don’t just survive, they thrive!

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Navigating Multigenerational Teams

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:00:21 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Navigating Multigenerational Teams: Embracing Inclusion, Diversity and a Growth Mindset

In today’s workplace, it’s not uncommon to find Baby Boomers working alongside Gen Z colleagues, with Gen X and Millennials bridging the gap. With up to five generations in one team, organizations have an unprecedented opportunity—or challenge depending on how you choose to lead.

When multigenerational teams are guided with intention, they become a powerhouse of diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches. But this potential is only unlocked through inclusive practices, a celebration of diversity, and a commitment to a growth mindset.

Understanding the Generational Landscape

Each generation brings unique strengths to the table:

Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964): Often value loyalty, experience, and face-to-face communication.
Gen X (1965–1980): Independent, adaptable, and pragmatic—natural bridge-builders.
Millennials (1981–1996): Purpose-driven, tech-savvy, and collaborative.
Gen Z (1997–2012): Digital natives, highly socially conscious, and entrepreneurial in spirit.

Rather than viewing these differences as barriers, leaders can reframe them as an ecosystem of strengths—each enriching the workplace in its own way.

Inclusion: Creating a Space Where Every Generation Thrives

Diversity of age can only thrive in a culture of inclusion. That means creating environments where every team member—regardless of age—feels heard, valued, and respected. Inclusion isn't about treating everyone the same. It's about recognizing and embracing differences and creating space for every voice.

Psychological safety plays a big role here. When people feel safe to express ideas or admit mistakes without fear of judgment, they’re more likely to contribute fully.

From Tension to Teamwork: Diversity as an Asset

Intergenerational tension often stems from misunderstanding or stereotyping. But when we move past assumptions—like "Boomers resist change" or "Gen Z lacks commitment"—we make room for curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.

Great things happen when a seasoned team member mentors someone younger—and learns something new in return. Diversity of thought leads to better problem-solving, more creative ideas, and richer decision-making.

The Power of a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset, popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. In multigenerational teams, this mindset helps us see differences as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles to overcome.

It encourages leaders and team members alike to:

Stay open to feedback
Challenge age-based assumptions
Be willing to learn from younger and older colleagues alike

When leaders model this mindset, it becomes part of the team culture.

Leading for Resilience in Multigenerational Teams

Resilient leadership is about adaptability, empathy, and long-term thinking. In multigenerational teams, resilient leaders:

Listen more than they speak
Adapt their communication styles
Create space for cross-generational mentorship
Value both innovation and institutional wisdom

The most effective leaders don’t just manage generational differences—they leverage them.

Closing Thoughts: Bridging the Generational Gap

Multigenerational teams are the new normal. With inclusive leadership and a growth mindset, they can also be your greatest asset. Whether you're a team leader, a project manager, or just someone trying to build better relationships at work, the question is the same:

What’s one thing you can do today to bridge a generational gap on your team?

Join Our Upcoming Workshop!

Interested in diving deeper into resilient leadership across generations? Join us for our upcoming online workshop on Tuesday, 12th August 2025. The Live Webinar is priced at $266.03 and runs from 8.30 AM to 12.30PM ACST.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot and discover tools to lead inclusively, intentionally, and with lasting impact.

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

Understanding EMDR Therapy

lpage@easa.org.au (Louise Page) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing at EASA

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment designed to help individuals heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences.

Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR involves a structured approach where the therapist guides the patient through a series of eye movements, or bilateral stimulation while recalling traumatic memories.

This process helps reprocess these memories, reducing their emotional impact and allowing the brain to resume its natural healing process.

EMDR at EASA: Commitment to Best Practice

At EASA, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care, and EMDR therapy is a key component of our therapeutic offerings. Our team of trained professionals is committed to using evidence-based practices to ensure the best outcomes for our clients.

By integrating EMDR into our therapeutic menu, we aim to offer effective interventions that cater to the diverse needs of our community.

Conditions Treated with EMDR

EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) : EMDR is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating PTSD, helping individuals process and move past traumatic events
Anxiety Disorders : This includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias
Depression : EMDR can help address the underlying traumatic experiences that contribute to depressive symptoms
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) : By reprocessing distressing memories, EMDR can reduce the compulsions and obsessions associated with OCD
Other Trauma-Related Conditions : This includes acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder

Why Choose EMDR?

One of the unique aspects of EMDR is that it does not require clients to talk in detail about their distressing experiences. Instead, it focuses on changing the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors resulting from these experiences, making it a suitable option for those who find traditional talk therapy challenging.

At EASA, we believe in the power of EMDR to facilitate healing and improve the quality of life for our clients. If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of trauma or other mental health issues, consider exploring EMDR therapy with our compassionate and skilled team.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please reach out to us at EASA. We're here to support you on your journey to healing and well-being.

Widening Your Window of Tolerance

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Widening Your Window of Tolerance: A Key to Emotional Resilience

In the fast-paced and often stressful world we live in, emotional resilience is more important than ever. One effective way to build this resilience is by understanding and widening your Window of Tolerance (WoT), a concept developed by psychologist Dr. Dan Siegel. The WoT refers to the optimal zone of arousal in which you can process emotions and handle stress effectively without feeling overwhelmed or shutting down.

When you're within your WoT, you’re able to think clearly, make rational decisions, and respond to challenges with a balanced perspective. But when you exceed this window, you can either become hyper-aroused (anxiety, panic, irritability) or hypo-aroused (numbness, dissociation, disengagement). The goal is to widen this window, allowing you to remain calm and effective even in difficult situations.

How to Widen Your Window of Tolerance

Practice Mindfulness and Self-Awareness Mindfulness is the art of staying present without judgment. By practicing mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or simple body scans, you can increase your awareness of your emotional states. Recognizing when you’re approaching the edges of your Window of Tolerance allows you to intervene before you become overwhelmed. Over time, mindfulness can help you remain calm and centered in high-pressure situations.
Self-Regulate with Breathing Techniques Deep, intentional breathing is a powerful tool for self-regulation. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing (breathing deeply into your belly) can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, helping to calm your body's stress response. This can prevent you from becoming too aroused or shutting down, allowing you to stay within your Window of Tolerance longer.
Engage in Regular Physical Activity Exercise is not only good for the body, but it also helps regulate your nervous system. Regular physical activity can increase your overall capacity to manage stress and build resilience, making it easier to stay within your window during challenging moments. Whether it's yoga, jogging, or even a daily walk, movement helps to discharge built-up tension and improves your emotional regulation.
Develop Healthy Coping Strategies Life inevitably presents stressors, but how you respond makes all the difference. Identifying healthy coping mechanisms—such as journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or engaging in creative hobbies—can prevent emotional overload. The more tools you have in your emotional toolkit, the better prepared you’ll be to stay within your Window of Tolerance, even in challenging times.
Create a Support System Connection is key to expanding your Window of Tolerance. Having a strong support system of friends, family, or a therapist can help you navigate overwhelming emotions. Social support provides a safe space to express yourself, process difficult feelings, and receive the empathy and encouragement you need to stay grounded.
Practice Self-Compassion Finally, be kind to yourself. When you’re feeling triggered or stressed, avoid self-criticism. Instead, practice self-compassion by acknowledging your feelings without judgment. This helps regulate the emotional brain and allows you to remain in a more balanced state, enhancing your ability to cope with stress.

The Benefits of a Wider Window of Tolerance

Expanding your Window of Tolerance allows you to stay more grounded during stressful situations, make better decisions, and improve your emotional well-being. By practicing mindfulness, self-regulation, and healthy coping strategies, you not only increase your emotional resilience but also create a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Remember, this is a gradual process—there’s no need to rush. With time and practice, you’ll find that you’re able to handle stress more effectively and remain calm in the face of life’s challenges.

Navigating the Final Stretch - Approaching Retirement

Tue, 13 May 2025 23:00:01 GMT

Navigating the Final Stretch: Staying Motivated as Retirement Approaches

As you near the end of a long and fulfilling career, it's natural to experience a mix of emotions. You've dedicated many years to your chosen employer and the thought of retirement can bring both excitement and uncertainty. Here, we explore some common challenges faced by long-term employees approaching retirement and offer strategies to maintain motivation and enthusiasm during this significant transition.

Common Challenges

Loss of Routine and Identity Work often provides a sense of structure and purpose. The prospect of losing this routine can be daunting. Many employees find that their job becomes a significant part of their identity. As retirement approaches, the idea of losing this aspect of oneself can lead to feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. It's important to recognize that while your role may change, your value and identity extend far beyond your job title.
Fear of the Unknown Retirement represents a significant life change and the uncertainty of what comes next can be unsettling. The routine and predictability of a long-term job provide comfort and the thought of stepping into the unknown can be daunting. This fear is natural, but it can be managed by planning and preparing for the future. Understanding that retirement is a new chapter filled with opportunities can help alleviate some of these concerns.
Physical and Mental Fatigue After many years of dedicated service, it's normal to feel tired and less energetic. The demands of a long career can take a toll on both physical and mental health. It's crucial to acknowledge these feelings and take steps to address them. Regular breaks, a balanced workload, and self-care practices can help manage fatigue and maintain energy levels.
Concerns About Financial Security Worries about whether savings, superannuation, investments and pensions will be sufficient can add stress. Financial security is a common concern for those nearing retirement. It's essential to review your financial situation and seek professional advice if needed. Understanding your financial position and planning accordingly can provide peace of mind and reduce anxiety about the future.
Social Connections Workplaces are often social hubs and the thought of losing daily interactions with colleagues can be challenging. The relationships built over years of working together are valuable and can be a source of support and camaraderie. Finding ways to maintain these connections, even after retirement, can help ease the transition and keep you socially engaged.

Strategies to Maintain Motivation

Set New Goals Identify personal and professional goals to work towards in your remaining time. This could include mentoring younger colleagues, leading a new project, or acquiring new skills. Setting goals provides a sense of direction and purpose, making your remaining time at work more fulfilling. It also helps you leave a lasting legacy and impact on your organization.
Reflect on Achievements Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments. Reflecting on your contributions can boost your sense of purpose and pride. Create a list of your achievements and share them with your colleagues. This not only highlights your contributions but also inspires others and reinforces the value of your work.
Plan for Retirement Start planning for your retirement activities. Whether it's travel, hobbies, or volunteer work, having a plan can make the transition smoother and more exciting. Consider what activities bring you joy and fulfilment and start incorporating them into your life now. This will help you build a bridge between your working life and retirement.
Stay Connected Maintain and strengthen your social connections at work. Consider organizing regular catch-ups with colleagues or joining social groups within the organization. Staying connected helps you feel supported and valued. It also ensures that you have a network of friends and colleagues to rely on during and after your transition to retirement.
Focus on Well-being Prioritize your physical and mental health. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and mindfulness practices can help you stay energized and positive. Taking care of your well-being is crucial for maintaining motivation and enjoying your remaining time at work. Consider incorporating wellness activities into your daily routine to boost your overall health and happiness.
Seek Support Don't hesitate to reach out for support. Employee assistance programs, counselling and retirement planning services can provide valuable guidance and reassurance and can make a huge difference to your life.

Embracing the Future

Retirement is not an end, it’s a new beginning. It's an opportunity to explore new interests, spend more time with loved ones and enjoy the fruits of your labour. By staying motivated and proactive, you can make the most of your remaining time at work and look forward to a fulfilling retirement.

Remember, your years of service have made a significant impact and your legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in your footsteps. Embrace this transition with confidence and optimism, knowing that the best is yet to come.

CORP | Leading Under the Psychosocial Legislation

Tue, 06 May 2025 02:59:14 GMT

Workshop Dates can be viewed for this topic in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Leading Under the Psychosocial Legislation: Interpretation & Workplace Application

Leadership in today’s workplace isn’t just about strategy, performance, or key performance indicators. It’s also about psychosocial safety —and for many leaders, the rules have changed. With new psychosocial legislation rolling out across jurisdictions, organizations are now legally obligated to identify, assess, and manage risks to psychological health in the workplace. But what does that mean for leaders?

How do you move from compliance confusion to confident, values-driven action?

Psychosocial Legislation: What Leaders Need to Know

Recent legislative changes (including ISO 45003 and national/regional WHS codes) have clarified one thing: psychosocial risk is no longer just a “nice to manage”— it’s a duty of care .

Under these frameworks, employers must:

Identify psychosocial hazards (e.g. excessive workloads, bullying, lack of role clarity)
Assess the level of risk they pose
Put in place reasonable, practical controls
Monitor and review those controls regularly

Failure to do so can lead to serious legal, reputational, and human costs .

The Challenge for Leaders

Many leaders are asking:

What counts as a psychosocial hazard?
How do I interpret the legislation in real-world terms?
What are my personal responsibilities as a manager or team leader?
How do I take action without overstepping or getting stuck in red tape?

That’s where our specialized workshop comes in.

Join Our Workshop: Leading Under the Psychosocial Legislation

Our Live Webinar Workshop is priced at $266.03 and is scheduled for Wednesday, 16th July from 8.30 AM to 12.30 PM.

This workshop is designed specifically for leaders, managers, and HR professionals who want to:

Navigate the legislation with clarity
Take proactive steps that protect both people and the business
Build psychologically safe cultures without overwhelm

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

What the legislation requires—and what it means for leaders day-to-day
How to identify psychosocial hazards in your team or workplace
Strategies for responding to risks without micromanaging
How to document, monitor, and review your efforts
How to lead in a way that builds trust, safety, and performance

We’ll translate the legal framework into real-life application , using practical tools, case studies, and leadership scenarios.

Why It Matters

This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about leading with integrity and confidence in a time when mental health at work can no longer be ignored. Strong leadership doesn’t just react to the legislation; it anticipates it, applies it, and helps others thrive within it.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

Empowered leaders create safer workplaces. Let’s lead the way!

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Spotting Psychosocial Hazards: Identifying Risk in the Workplace

Tue, 06 May 2025 02:49:45 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Spotting Psychosocial Hazards: Identifying Risks in the Workplace

We often think of workplace hazards as physical—slippery floors, heavy machinery, poor lighting. But some of the most harmful risks are invisible. They’re not found in faulty equipment or broken stairs. They live in the culture, in the workload, in the relationships between people.

These are psychosocial hazards —and they’re a growing threat to wellbeing, performance, and retention in every industry.

What Are Psychosocial Hazards?

Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work that can negatively impact an employee’s mental health, emotional wellbeing, and overall psychological safety. These include:

Excessive workload or unrealistic deadlines
Bullying, harassment, or discrimination
Lack of role clarity or constant change
Poor communication or unresolved conflict
Isolation or lack of support
Exposure to traumatic content or situations

Left unchecked, these risks contribute to stress, burnout, anxiety, absenteeism and even long-term psychological injury.

Why Early Identification Matters

Psychosocial hazards don’t always shout, they whisper.

They show up in disengaged teams, high turnover, frequent sick leave, or tension that lingers just beneath the surface. But early intervention can prevent serious consequences.

Leaders and employees alike must be able to:

Recognise early signs of distress in teams and individuals
Understand the impact of poor work design and toxic culture
Use tools and frameworks to assess risk factors
Take proactive steps to support mental wellbeing at work

Who Should Attend Our FREE Workshop?

Whether you're a team leader, HR professional, safety manager, or simply someone who cares about workplace wellbeing, this workshop is for you.

Join the FREE 1-hour online workshop on Spotting Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace on Wednesday, 2nd July 2025 and learn how to r ecognize psychosocial hazards early and take proactive steps to support mental wellbeing at work.

Whether you’re a team leader, HR professional, safety manager, or simply someone who cares about workplace wellbeing, this workshop is for you.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Understand & Respond to Burnout

Tue, 06 May 2025 02:39:27 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Beyond the Breaking Point: Understanding and Responding to Burnout in the Workplace

Is your energy gone, your motivation fading, and yet the demands just keep piling up? You're not alone. Burnout has quietly become one of the most widespread challenges in the modern workplace and it's costing us more than just productivity, also people.

What Burnout Really Is

Burnout isn’t just stress. It’s a sustained response to chronic, unrelenting pressure—especially when support is low and expectations are high.

The World Health Organization defines burnout as “a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” It shows up in three key ways:

Exhaustion – physical, mental, and emotional depletion
Cynicism or detachment – loss of engagement or increased negativity
Reduced performance – difficulty focusing, accomplishing tasks, or feeling effective

Burnout is not a personal failure. It’s not about weakness. It’s a signal—a warning sign that something in the system needs to change.

Why Burnout Is a Leadership Issue

Too often, burnout is treated as an individual problem with individual solutions. But in reality, it’s a systemic issue that calls for a leadership response.

Leaders shape the culture. They influence whether people feel valued or invisible, empowered or overwhelmed. If leaders are pushing nonstop performance without creating space for recovery, the risk of burnout skyrockets.

Spotting the Early Warning Signs

Higher absenteeism
Increased staff turnover
Lower morale and engagement
Greater risk of physical and mental health issues

Responding to Burnout: From Awareness to Action

For individuals , responding to burnout often involves reclaiming control over time, energy, and boundaries:

Prioritising rest and recovery
Reconnecting with purpose and values
Setting limits around availability and workload

For leaders , the role is even more critical. You can:

Ensure workloads are realistic and fairly distributed
Foster open dialogue around wellbeing and stress
Recognize and celebrate contributions
Build in flexibility and autonomy
Advocate for mental health support and resources

Small changes, consistently applied, can have a powerful cumulative effect.

Resilience Is the Antidote—But It’s Not About Pushing Through

Resilience is often misunderstood as the ability to “power through” challenges. But true resilience is about recovering, adapting, and growing stronger through adversity.

And resilience isn’t an individual trait—it’s a cultural one. Resilient teams are those where people:

Feel safe to speak up
Trust one another
Are supported in taking breaks and asking for help
Have permission to learn and grow, not just perform

If you’re ready to build a culture where people are resilient, engaged, and energized not just enduring, join us for our upcoming live workshop: Understand and Respond to Burnout on Wednesday, 25th June 2025.

This Live Webinar workshop is priced at $138.97 and runs from 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM ACST, providing a jam-packed session that y ou'll walk away from with practical strategies to spot burnout early, respond effectively, and lead your team through change with clarity and care.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | How to Intervene in Situational Crises in the Workplace

Tue, 06 May 2025 01:02:19 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

How to Intervene in Situational Crises in the Workplace

Intervening in a situational crisis at work takes a mix of awareness, empathy, clear communication, and confidence. Whether it’s a heated conflict, emotional distress, or a sudden disruptive event, the goal is to de-escalate, support, and guide things back to stability.

Crisis at Work? How to Intervene with Confidence and Care

Most of us like to think we’d know what to do in a crisis. But when tension rises in real time: voices raised, emotions running high, someone clearly struggling—it can be hard to know how to respond.

Situational crises in the workplace are more common than we realize. Whether it’s a sudden emotional breakdown, a conflict between colleagues, or signs that someone is at a breaking point, knowing how to intervene with empathy and confidence is a skill every professional should have.

7 Ways to Intervene in a Crisis Situation at Work

1. Recognize the Crisis Early

Don’t wait for things to get worse. Learn to spot the signs:

Emotional outbursts
Sudden withdrawal or silence
Aggressive or erratic behaviour
Visible distress or panic
Conflicts that quickly intensify

Red flags are signals—not problems to ignore. Early recognition is the key to timely and effective support.

2. Stay Calm and Grounded

Your presence matters. In a crisis, people often mirror the energy around them.

Speak slowly and clearly
Keep your tone neutral and calm
Breathe intentionally

Even if you’re unsure of the exact next step, being a steady, grounded presence is one of the most helpful things you can offer.

3. Approach with Empathy, Not Authority

Avoid rushing in with control. Instead, approach with curiosity and care:

“Hey, I noticed things feel a bit tense. Want to take a minute to talk?”

If possible, offer privacy. Always listen before trying to “fix.” The goal is to create space, not judgment.

4. De-escalate First, Problem-Solve Later

When emotions run high, logic takes a backseat. Before looking for solutions:

Help the person feel seen and safe
Use grounding prompts like: “Can you take a breath with me?”, “What do you need right now?”
Validate their feelings: “It makes sense that you’re upset.”

This shows you care and helps the nervous system begin to settle.

5. Offer Support, Not Solutions (At First)

Support doesn’t mean solving everything on the spot. Instead, ask:

“Would a short break help?”
“Do you want someone to sit with you for a bit?”

When safety is a concern—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—loop in HR, leadership, or designated mental health support.

6. Know When to Step In and When to Get Help

Some situations require backup. If you suspect someone may be at risk of harming themselves or others, seek immediate assistance through:

On-site crisis teams
HR or mental health partners
Emergency services, if necessary

Remember : You’re not expected to do this alone. You just need to take the first step and connect them with the right support.

7. Follow Up

Crises may pass quickly, but their effects can linger. Following up shows care and builds trust: “I’ve been thinking about our conversation. How are you doing today?”

Encourage professional support when needed—Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), HR, or counselling services.

Who should attend this workshop?

Whether you’re a manager, team lead, HR professional, or peer, having the skills to intervene effectively can help prevent escalation, protect team wellbeing, and foster a more supportive workplace.

Want to Build This Skill with Confidence? Join our next Training Session!

We’re offering a specialized 2-hour live webinar on How to Intervene in Situational Crises in the Workplace on Thursday, June 19th.

The webinar workshop is priced at $138.97 and runs from 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM ACST.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

Whether you lead teams, support peers, or just want to be more prepared when things get tough, this session will give you the tools to show up with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Resilience: The Grit Factor

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:12:47 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Resilience: The Grit Factor

In challenging times, it’s not always strength or skill that gets us through—it’s grit . That quiet determination. That inner push that says, “keep going.” But grit isn’t just about powering through. At its core, it’s about resilience —the ability to bend without breaking, to pause and then rise again.

What Is Resilience?

Resilience is more than a buzzword. It’s a mindset and a skillset. It’s the ability to recover from stress, setbacks, or trauma without losing your sense of self. It’s how we adapt, respond, and regain balance, over and over again.

Whether you’re supporting others through their struggles or navigating your own, resilience is what keeps you grounded.

The Grit Factor: Why It Matters

In workplaces, families, and communities, resilience shows up in the people who:

Stay calm under pressure
Respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively
Set boundaries without guilt
Show compassion without burning out
Bounce back—not perfectly, but intentionally

This kind of resilience doesn’t come from pretending everything’s fine. It comes from acknowledging challenges and doing the inner work to move forward with purpose.

Building Resilience Is Possible

Resilience isn’t something you either have or you don’t, it’s something you can learn and strengthen . And the more you understand it, the more equipped you’ll be to:

Cope with emotional strain
Stay connected to your values under stress
Prevent burnout
Support others while protecting your own wellbeing

Want to Build Your Grit Factor?

This workshop is designed to help you do just that. Whether you're a professional, a caregiver, or simply someone who wants to care better—without losing yourself—this workshop will equip you with tools, insight, and clarity.

Learn to recognize emotional strain
Practice real-world resilience tools
Connect with others who get it
Leave feeling empowered and recharged

Join Us for this Essential Training

Don't miss the chance to build you resilience at our upcoming Resilience: The Grit Factor workshop on Tuesday, 10th June 2025 .

The live webinar workshop is priced at $138.97 and runs from 9.00 AM to 11.00 AM, providing a 2-hour jam-packed workshop where you’ll walk away with practical tools and expert insight that will help you build resilience!

Grit isn’t about being tough—it’s about staying true.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

L et’s build your resilience toolkit—together.

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

Love Languages - What Are they?

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

"The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts"

The above is a popular book by Gary Chapman that explores the different ways people express and receive love. Chapman identifies five primary love languages:

Words of Affirmation : Expressing love through verbal compliments, words of appreciation, and encouraging statements.
Acts of Service : Showing love by doing helpful tasks and actions for your partner.
Receiving Gifts : Giving and receiving thoughtful gifts as a way to express love.
Quality Time : Spending meaningful time together, giving undivided attention to your partner.
Physical Touch : Expressing love through physical affection, such as hugs, kisses, and holding hands.

Chapman emphasizes that understanding your own love language and that of your partner can significantly improve communication and strengthen your relationship. By speaking each other's love languages, couples can create deeper emotional connections and foster lasting love.

What are examples of each love language?

1. Words of Affirmation

Compliments: "You look amazing today!"
Encouragement: "I believe in you. You can do it!"
Appreciation: "Thank you for always being there for me."

2. Acts of Service

Helping with chores: Doing the dishes or laundry without being asked.
Running errands: Picking up groceries or taking the car for a service.
Cooking a meal: Preparing a favourite dish for your partner.

3. Receiving Gifts

Thoughtful presents: Giving a book by their favourite author.
Surprise gifts: Bringing home their favourite snack or flowers.
Handmade items: Creating a personalized photo album or a piece of art.

4. Quality Time

Uninterrupted conversations: Having a deep, meaningful talk without distractions.
Shared activities: Going for a walk, playing a game, or watching a movie together.
Date nights: Planning a special evening out or a cozy night in.

5. Physical Touch

Affectionate gestures: Holding hands, hugging, or kissing.
Cuddling: Snuggling on the couch while watching TV.
Physical closeness: Sitting close to each other or giving a back rub.

Understanding and practicing these love languages can help you connect more deeply with your partner and show love in ways that resonate most with them.

How to communicate love languages effectively?

Communicating love languages effectively involves understanding your partner's primary love language and making a conscious effort to express love in ways that resonate with them. Here are some tips for each love language:

1. Words of Affirmation

Be specific: Instead of generic compliments, mention specific things you appreciate. For example, "I love how you always make me laugh."
Express gratitude: Regularly thank your partner for the little things they do.
Encourage and support: Offer words of encouragement and support, especially during challenging times.

2. Acts of Service

Pay attention to needs: Notice what tasks or chores your partner finds stressful and offer to help.
Be proactive: Don't wait to be asked; take the initiative to do things that make your partner's life easier.
Follow through: If you promise to do something, make sure you do it.

3. Receiving Gifts

Thoughtfulness matters: Choose gifts that show you know and care about your partner's interests and preferences.
Surprise them: Unexpected gifts can be very meaningful, even if they are small.
Special occasions: Remember important dates like birthdays and anniversaries with thoughtful gifts.

4. Quality Time

Be present: Give your partner your full attention during your time together. Put away distractions like phones.
Plan activities: Schedule regular date nights or activities you both enjoy.
Listen actively: Show interest in what your partner is saying and engage in meaningful conversations.

5. Physical Touch

Be affectionate: Regularly show physical affection through hugs, kisses, and holding hands.
Understand preferences: Know what types of physical touch your partner enjoys and feels comfortable with.
Be consistent: Make physical touch a regular part of your daily routine.

By consistently expressing love in ways that align with your partner's love language, you can strengthen your relationship and create a deeper emotional connection.

Conflict with those we love:

Handling conflicts related to love languages involves understanding, communication, and compromise. Here are some steps to help navigate these conflicts effectively:

1. Understand Each Other's Love Languages

Identify: Make sure both partners know their own and each other's primary love languages.
Acknowledge: Recognize that different love languages are valid and important.

2. Communicate Openly

Discuss Needs: Have open conversations about what each person needs to feel loved and appreciated.
Express Feelings: Share how certain actions or lack thereof make you feel, without blaming or criticizing.

3. Practice Empathy

Listen Actively: Pay attention to your partner's concerns and feelings without interrupting.
Validate Emotions: Acknowledge your partner's feelings and show that you understand their perspective.

4. Compromise and Adapt

Be Flexible: Be willing to adjust your behaviour to meet your partner's needs, even if it doesn't come naturally to you.
Find Balance: Work together to find a balance where both partners feel loved and valued.

5. Seek Professional Help if Needed

Counselling: Consider couples counselling to work through deeper issues and improve communication.
Workshops: Atte nd workshops or seminars on relationships and communication.

6. Regular Check-ins

Review Progress: Periodically check in with each other to see how things are going and if any adjustments are needed.
Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate improvements and efforts made by both partners.

Example Scenario

If one partner's love language is Quality Time and the other's is Acts of Service , conflicts might arise if one feels neglected while the other feels unappreciated. In this case:

Discuss : Talk about how spending time together and doing helpful tasks can be balanced.
Plan : Schedule regular quality time while also sharing responsibilities.
Appreciate : Show appreciation for each other's efforts in both areas.

By approaching conflicts with understanding, empathy, and a willingness to adapt, couples can strengthen their relationship and ensure both partners feel loved and valued.

CORP | De-escalation Skills for Frontline Workers

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

De-escalation Skills for Frontline Workers: Keeping Calm in High-Stress Situations

Frontline workers in industries like customer service, healthcare, retail, and security often face stressful, high-pressure situations. Whether it's dealing with an angry customer, a challenging patient, or a confrontational situation, being able to de-escalate conflict and manage aggression effectively is a crucial skill.

In our De-escalation Skills for Frontline Workers workshop, you will gain the tools to navigate these high-stress moments with confidence, emotional intelligence, and professionalism. Our expert-led training will teach you how to stay calm, communicate effectively, and respond to challenging situations while ensuring the safety and well-being of both yourself and others.

Why De-escalation Skills Matter

Being able to diffuse tense situations before they escalate is vital not only for the safety and security of all involved but also for maintaining a professional environment. Frontline workers are often the first point of contact in difficult situations, and knowing how to handle conflict can make a world of difference in turning an aggressive encounter into a peaceful resolution.

In this full-day workshop, you will learn how to manage aggression, respond to threats, and improve your emotional intelligence (EQ) so that you can stay calm, composed, and professional in any high-pressure environment.

What You’ll Learn in the De-escalation Skills for Frontline Workers Workshop

Our interactive workshop will provide you with the practical skills needed to handle difficult situations effectively. During the session, we will cover the following:

Recognising and Reacting to Threats in High-Pressure Situations
Learn to identify signs of aggression or escalation early, so you can respond before the situation gets out of control.
Developing Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to Stay Calm and Composed
Discover how emotional intelligence can help you manage your own reactions and respond with empathy, even in the most stressful situations.
Handling Difficult People and Aggressive Behaviour with Confidence
Learn proven techniques for managing aggressive behaviour, maintaining professionalism, and de-escalating challenging interactions effectively.
Communication Techniques for Managing Aggression and Reducing Tension
Effective communication is the key to de-escalation. We’ll teach you how to communicate clearly and assertively, while also listening actively to diffuse tension.
Proven Conflict Management Strategies to Resolve Disputes and Prevent Escalation
Learn a variety of conflict management strategies that you can use to resolve disputes quickly and peacefully, preventing escalation before it becomes a serious issue.

Why Attend This Workshop?

Enhance Your Conflict Management Skills
Being equipped with the skills to manage aggression and high-stress situations will help you handle any confrontation with confidence.
Build Emotional Resilience
By learning how to stay calm and composed in tense situations, you’ll develop the emotional resilience necessary to thrive in challenging work environments.
Ensure Safety for Yourself and Others
De-escalation skills are essential for ensuring a safe environment for both workers and customers. By addressing conflict early, you can help protect yourself and others from harm.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is perfect for professionals who regularly encounter confrontational situations or high-stress environments, especially Frontline workers in customer service, healthcare, retail, and security sectors.

Join Us for This Essential Workshop

The De-escalation Skills for Frontline Workers workshop will be held on Thursday, 10 April 2025, in Darwin . The full-day session will run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ACST , and costs $500.00 to attend.

Take the First Step Towards Safer, More Effective Conflict Resolution

By attending this workshop, you’ll walk away with actionable skills that will help you manage difficult situations with ease, ensuring you can maintain a safe and professional environment for yourself and your colleagues.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

Don’t miss out on this invaluable opportunity to enhance your de-escalation and conflict management skills.

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Conflict Management & Resolution Skills

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 02:43:03 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Conflict Management & Resolution Skills: Turning Conflict into Opportunity

Conflict is an inevitable part of life, especially in the workplace. Whether it’s disagreements between team members or challenging customer interactions, conflict is something we all encounter. But did you know that conflict can actually be a powerful opportunity for growth? The key to unlocking its potential lies in how we approach and manage it.

CORP Workplace Solutions offers a comprehensive range of services for recognising and managing workplace conflict and strengthening staff competency in resolving conflict. Our experienced CORP Facilitation Team brings a wealth of expertise in resolving conflicts between individuals, teams, and entire organisations. We are excited to share some of these insights with you in our upcoming workshop.

In our Conflict Management and Resolution Skills workshop, we will provide you with the tools and strategies to turn conflict into an opportunity for collaboration, innovation, and enhanced communication. As supervisors and managers often report spending a significant portion of their time (around 20%) dealing with conflict, it’s crucial to develop the skills to handle it efficiently and effectively.

Why Conflict Management Skills Matter

Conflict can have a significant impact on team dynamics, productivity, and workplace morale if not managed properly. But when addressed with the right mindset and tools, conflict can be resolved constructively, leading to better problem-solving, strengthened relationships, and increased team cohesion.

In this practical, hands-on workshop, you’ll gain the confidence to approach and manage conflict with ease. You’ll learn how to resolve conflicts before they escalate, saving time, energy, and preserving the overall well-being of your team.

What You’ll Learn in the Conflict Management and Resolution Skills Workshop

This half-day, interactive session is packed with practical tools and strategies that will empower you to tackle conflict head-on and manage it effectively. By attending, you’ll learn how to:

Understand Conflict: Types, Causes, and Stages
Gain a deeper understanding of conflict—its different types, the common causes, and how conflict typically progresses. By recognising these patterns early, you can address issues before they become bigger problems.
When is Conflict Worth Resolving?
Sometimes, conflict doesn’t need to be resolved right away or at all. Learn when it’s best to address the issue and when it might be more appropriate to let it go or seek alternative solutions.
Getting to the Cause of the Conflict
Surface-level disagreements can often mask deeper issues. We’ll show you how to dig deeper into the root cause of conflicts, ensuring that the underlying problem is addressed and resolved.
Conflict Resolution Strategies Based on Scenarios
Using real-world scenarios, you’ll explore various conflict resolution strategies. These practical approaches will help you tackle conflict in different situations, from team disagreements to challenging customer interactions.
Communication Skills for Conflict Resolution
Communication is key when resolving conflict. You’ll develop essential communication skills, including how to stay calm, listen actively, and frame your responses positively to facilitate resolution.
The Role of the Mediator
Learn how mediation can play a crucial role in conflict resolution. Whether you're mediating between colleagues or managing a difficult customer situation, understanding the mediator’s role will help you facilitate better outcomes.

Why Attend This Workshop?

Gain Confidence in Handling Conflict
Whether you’re a supervisor, manager, or team leader, having the skills to manage conflict will save you time and energy while boosting your leadership capabilities.
Enhance Team Dynamics and Productivity
Conflict, if handled well, can lead to stronger collaboration, improved communication, and increased overall productivity.
Practical, Real-World Tools
This workshop is designed to equip you with actionable tools that you can apply immediately, helping you to navigate even the toughest conflict situations with ease.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is perfect for:

Team leaders, supervisors, and managers looking to strengthen their conflict management skills
Anyone who deals with challenging customers or clients on a regular basis
Individuals wishing to improve their communication skills
Those looking to develop their coaching and mentoring abilities

Join Us for This Transformative Workshop

Our Conflict Management and Resolution Skills workshop will help you gain the skills needed to resolve conflicts effectively, saving you time and energy while building stronger, more productive teams. Choose to attend in Darwin, Katherine, or Alice Springs!

The workshops run from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM ACST and cost $250.00 per person.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

Don’t miss this chance to take your conflict management skills to the next level!

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Mediation Skills for Managers

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 02:27:08 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Mediation Skills for for Managers: Mastering Conflict Resolution for Effective Leadership

Conflict in the workplace is inevitable, especially when managing a diverse team. As a manager, addressing disagreements and resolving conflicts early on is essential for maintaining a positive work environment and ensuring team productivity. But handling conflict effectively can be challenging, especially when it involves personality differences or deep-seated issues. That’s where mediation skills come in.

Our Mediation Skills for Managers, Level 1 workshop is designed to help you gain the confidence and expertise to manage team conflicts in a constructive way. By learning simple yet effective mediation techniques, you’ll be able to address disputes early, reduce tension, and enhance collaboration, all while keeping team dynamics intact.

Why Mediation Skills Matter for Managers

Effective conflict resolution is a core competency for any successful manager. When managed well, conflict can lead to stronger team bonds, improved communication, and better problem-solving. However, unresolved conflict can lead to frustration, disengagement, and even high turnover rates.

In this workshop, you’ll gain the tools to handle workplace conflict proactively and effectively, ensuring that issues are addressed at the earliest stage before they escalate. You’ll learn how to mediate disputes, foster constructive conversations, and create a healthier, more productive work environment for your team.

What You'll Learn in the Mediation Skills for Managers, Level 1 Workshop

This interactive, full-day workshop is ideal for managers who want to strengthen their conflict resolution skills and elevate their leadership abilities. By attending, you’ll walk away with practical tools that can be applied immediately to your team’s dynamics.

Here’s a look at what we’ll cover during the session:

Introduction to Conflict
Understand the different types of conflict that can arise in the workplace, the stages of conflict, and the underlying causes. You’ll also explore conflict styles, so you can recognise and navigate various conflict situations effectively.
The Mediation Process – An Overview
Learn the core steps of the mediation process, including how to establish a constructive atmosphere for discussion, set expectations, and guide the conversation towards resolution.
Mediation Practice
Gain hands-on experience with practical mediation techniques. You’ll have the opportunity to practise conflict mapping, positive framing, and solution-focused questioning to help team members express their concerns and find mutually agreeable solutions.
Next Steps
Understand when it’s appropriate to mediate and when you should seek help from a professional mediator. Learn how to guide individuals through the next steps of resolution and how to prevent conflicts from escalating in the future.

Why Attend This Workshop?

Minimise Risk and Maximise Productivity:
Conflict that is left unresolved can lead to tension, decreased morale, and reduced productivity. By addressing conflicts early, you’ll maintain a positive atmosphere and boost team performance.
Enhance Your People Management Skills:
As a manager, learning mediation skills will take your leadership to the next level. You’ll be able to handle difficult conversations and foster an environment of collaboration and respect.
Practical, Actionable Tools:
This workshop is designed to provide you with real-world tools you can use right away. You’ll leave with a better understanding of conflict dynamics and techniques you can apply in any situation.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is perfect for managers and team leaders who want to build stronger relationships within their teams and handle workplace conflicts with confidence. Whether you’re dealing with minor disagreements or more serious disputes, you’ll gain the skills to resolve them effectively.

Join Us for this Essential Training

Don’t miss the chance to enhance your conflict resolution skills and become a more effective leader. Choose to attend in Alice Springs on Thursday, 3 April 2025, or Darwin on Wednesday, 9 April 2025.

The workshop is priced at $580.73 and runs from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, giving you a full day of interactive learning and practical exercises.

Take Your People Management Skills to the Next Level!

By mastering mediation, you’ll not only resolve conflicts but also strengthen your team’s overall dynamics, fostering a work environment that promotes collaboration, respect, and productivity. Register today and take the first step towards becoming the mediator your team needs.

Register now through our Corp Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your professional skills and contribute to a healthier, more productive workplace.

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

The Science of Happiness: A Laughing Matter

lpage@easa.org.au (Louise Page) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 23:30:00 GMT

The Science of Happiness: A Laughing Matter

Ever wondered why some people seem to have a permanent smile plastered on their faces while others look like they've just bitten into a lemon? Well, it turns out there's a whole science behind happiness, and it's not just about avoiding lemons!

The Science Bit (Don't Worry, It's Fun!)

Happiness is a complex cocktail of brain chemicals, life circumstances, and personal choices. The main players in this feel-good orchestra are dopamine , serotonin , oxytocin , and endorphins . These chemicals are like the Beatles of your brain, each playing a crucial role in keeping you groovy.

Dopamine : The "reward" chemical. It gives you that "I did it!" feeling when you achieve something.
Serotonin : The "mood stabilizer." It helps you feel calm and content.
Oxytocin : The "love hormone." It’s released during social bonding and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.
Endorphins : The "painkillers." They’re released during exercise and laughter, helping to reduce pain and boost pleasure.

Now that we've got the science down, let's talk about how to sprinkle some extra happiness into your daily grind.

1. Laugh More, Worry Less

Laughter is like a mini-vacation for your brain. It releases endorphins, reduces stress, and can even improve your immune system. So, watch a funny video, share a joke with a colleague, or just laugh at your own mistakes (we all make them!).

2. Move It, Move It

Exercise isn't just good for your body; it's a happiness booster too. Physical activity increases the production of endorphins and serotonin. You don't have to run a marathon—just a brisk walk during your lunch break can do wonders.

3. Connect with Others

Humans are social creatures, and meaningful connections can significantly boost your happiness. Take a few minutes to chat with a coworker, call a friend, or even pet a dog. Oxytocin will thank you for it!

So, there you have it—a quick dive into the science of happiness and three simple ways to bring more joy into your workday. Remember, happiness isn't a destination; it's a journey. And sometimes, it's just a laugh away! ��

What do you think? Ready to add some more happiness to your day?

CORP | Professionalism in the 21st Century

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:35:16 GMT

Workshop Dates for this topic can be viewed in our CORP Public Workshop Calendar

Professionalism in the 21st Century: Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Productive Workplace

In today’s ever-evolving professional landscape, the idea of professionalism extends beyond just how we present ourselves or communicate. True professionalism is about fostering an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where every team member can thrive. This is why understanding appropriate workplace behaviour, organisational policies, and how to navigate potential challenges is more important than ever.

What Does Professionalism Mean in the Modern Workplace?

Professionalism today is about much more than just technical competence—it’s about ensuring a work environment where everyone is treated with respect, where issues are addressed effectively, and where the overall well-being of employees is supported. This is particularly crucial in the context of workplace safety, where laws and organisational policies play a significant role in shaping behaviour.

At its core, professionalism involves:

Behaving in a way that contributes positively to the work environment
Understanding and adhering to workplace legislation and policies
Recognising and addressing inappropriate behaviour such as bullying, harassment, and discrimination
Supporting colleagues through challenges and maintaining a healthy work-life balance

What You’ll Learn in the Professionalism in the 21st Century Workshop

Our Professionalism in the 21st Century workshop is designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of what constitutes appropriate workplace behaviour, how to contribute positively to their organisation, and how to effectively manage challenges when they arise.

Key Themes of the Workshop:

Creating a Safe Workplace: Legislation and Individual Rights Learn about the legislation that governs workplace safety and your individual rights as an employee. Understand what it means to provide a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
Organisational Policies and Procedures Dive into the policies and procedures that help ensure a safe and respectful workplace. Participants will explore what’s working in their organisation and identify mechanisms and strategies for addressing issues when things aren’t functioning as they should.
Identifying and Addressing Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination Discover the differences between one-off incidents of offensive behaviour and more systemic issues like bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Learn how to identify these issues and take appropriate action.
Reporting Inappropriate Workplace Behaviour Gain clarity on the reporting process—who to report to, how to do so, and when it’s appropriate. Knowing your options for addressing workplace issues is essential for creating a respectful and safe environment.
Understanding Grievances: Access, Process, and Limitations Understand the grievance process in the workplace, including how to access support, the steps involved, and the limitations of this process. This will empower you to handle grievances professionally and appropriately.
Supporting Colleagues in Challenging Situations Learn how to support colleagues who are being bullied, harassed, or discriminated against. Providing support is an important part of maintaining a healthy workplace culture and fostering teamwork.
Stress Management and Self-Care Stress is inevitable, but learning how to manage it effectively is key to maintaining professionalism. We’ll provide practical strategies for stress management and self-care, so you can stay balanced even when challenges arise.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is ideal for employees at all levels , including:

Those who haven’t completed AWB training or those who haven’t taken it in the past 2 years
Anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of workplace professionalism
Professionals looking to improve how they contribute to a safe and supportive work environment

Join Us for This Essential Workshop

This engaging, interactive workshop combines group work, scenarios, and case studies to help you build your confidence in navigating workplace challenges, understanding organisational policies, and supporting a positive work culture.

The workshop is priced at $291.03 , and in just one day, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to enhance your professionalism and contribute to a safer, more respectful workplace.

Register now through our CORP Public Workshop Calendar to secure your spot!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your professional skills and contribute to a healthier, more productive workplace.

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | How to Prevent Conflict in the Workplace

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 01:42:16 GMT

How to Prevent Conflict in the Workplace: Key Strategies for a Harmonious Environment

Conflict in the workplace can be disruptive, stressful, and, at times, detrimental to both individual and team productivity. Whether it's a disagreement between colleagues, differing work styles, or miscommunication, unresolved conflict can escalate quickly and negatively affect morale, performance, and overall work culture. But what if you could learn effective strategies to prevent conflict before it even arises?

Why Preventing Conflict Matters

While conflict is inevitable in any dynamic workplace, the real challenge lies in how we manage it. Unresolved conflict can lead to a toxic work environment, decreased job satisfaction, and a lack of collaboration. By proactively addressing potential issues before they escalate, you can foster a workplace culture built on respect, trust, and open communication. This doesn’t just make the work environment more pleasant—it also boosts productivity, morale, and team cohesion.

Key Strategies for Preventing Conflict

Effective Communication: Communication is at the heart of preventing conflict. Clear, respectful, and open communication helps ensure that everyone understands expectations, roles, and goals. Regular check-ins, active listening, and encouraging feedback can prevent misunderstandings and foster a culture of mutual respect.
Set Clear Expectations: Ambiguity often leads to frustration. When expectations are unclear, employees may feel unsure about their responsibilities or what is expected of them. By establishing clear guidelines, roles, and goals, you can reduce the likelihood of confusion and the conflicts that often arise from it.
Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment helps reduce silos and promotes mutual understanding among team members. When people work together, they are more likely to recognise each other's strengths and weaknesses, which can minimise the chances of conflict.
Address Issues Early: Ignoring small issues can allow them to grow into larger problems. Addressing concerns early on can prevent frustration from escalating and help to resolve issues before they affect team dynamics.
Promote Emotional Intelligence: Encouraging employees to develop their emotional intelligence can help them navigate difficult conversations and manage their emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence helps individuals understand and regulate their own emotions while recognising and empathising with the emotions of others.

Want to Learn More About Preventing Conflict in the Workplace?

If you're interested in learning how to implement these strategies in your own workplace and gain the tools to prevent conflict before it begins, we invite you to join our FREE online workshop: How to Prevent Conflict in the Workplace .

In this 1-hour workshop , we will cover:

Effective communication techniques for preventing misunderstandings
How to set clear expectations to avoid confusion
Practical tips for encouraging collaboration and teamwork
How to address issues early and foster a positive work environment
The role of emotional intelligence in managing workplace dynamics

This workshop is perfect for managers, team leaders, and professionals looking to create a harmonious, productive, and conflict-free workplace.

Take action today to foster a more positive work culture!

Register now for FREE and learn how to prevent workplace conflict and improve your team's dynamics.

Additionally, you can view our Training Calendar here.

For further information or to enquire about arranging training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Setting Boundaries: Prioritising Self-Care & Communicating Needs

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 01:31:05 GMT

Why Setting Boundaries and Prioritising Self-Care is Crucial for Career Success

In the fast-paced world of modern work, it can be all too easy to lose sight of our personal needs. Whether you're juggling multiple projects, attending endless meetings, or constantly striving to meet expectations, it’s easy to feel like there’s little room left for yourself. However, there’s a critical skill that everyone—especially professionals—must learn in order to maintain long-term success and personal well-being: setting boundaries.

The Power of Boundaries

Setting boundaries isn’t just about saying “no”—it’s about understanding your limits and protecting your time and energy. Boundaries allow you to prioritise self-care, manage stress, and prevent burnout, ultimately leading to better performance at work and a more balanced life. By establishing clear limits, you're not only protecting your own well-being but also setting a standard for others to respect your time and energy.

In fact, boundaries are essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Without them, it’s easy to slip into a cycle of overworking and neglecting your own needs. When you prioritize your well-being, you’re able to show up to work more focused, energised, and ready to succeed.

Communicating Your Needs Confidently

But knowing your boundaries is only one part of the equation. The next step is communicating them effectively—especially in a professional environment. Many people struggle with asserting their needs due to fear of conflict or guilt about letting others down. Yet, effective communication is key to fostering respect and collaboration at work. Learning to clearly express your needs without hesitation or guilt empowers you to take charge of your personal and professional life.

When you communicate your boundaries with clarity and confidence, you’re fostering a work culture that values mutual respect, reduces stress, and enhances productivity.

Why Prioritising Self-Care Matters

Taking time for self-care isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Self-care enables you to recharge, stay motivated, and approach your work with clarity and focus. Without it, the risk of burnout increases, and productivity decreases. By setting boundaries and practicing self-care regularly, you’re ensuring that you’re operating at your highest potential, both personally and professionally.

Ready to Take Charge of Your Career and Well-Being?

If you’re ready to master the art of setting boundaries, prioritising self-care, and communicating your needs effectively, we invite you to enquire with our team about organising our workshop for Setting Boundaries: Prioritizing Self-Care & Communicating Needs .

In this 2-hour workshop , you’ll learn:

How to set healthy boundaries without guilt
Techniques for communicating your needs with confidence and clarity
Practical strategies to protect yourself from burnout
How prioritising self-care boosts productivity and long-term success

This workshop is ideal for professionals seeking a better work-life balance, individuals dealing with stress or burnout, and anyone who wants to enhance their communication and assertiveness skills.

Don’t wait for burnout to catch up with you—take action today!

Gain the tools you need to thrive in both your career and personal life. We’re here to help you build the foundation for success by prioritizing yourself!

If you're interested in signing up for one of our CORP workshops, you can view our Training Calendar here .

For further enquiries, or to book some training for yourself or your team, please contact our CORP Officer directly at corp@corp.org.au

CORP | Looking After Yourself in 2025 - Self-Care

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:40:40 GMT

Looking After Yourself in 2025: How to Manager Stress and Prioritise Self-Care

As we step into 2025, many of us are navigating new challenges - whether at home, in the workplace, or in our personal lives. Stress has a way of sneaking into our day-to-day, and while a little bit of stress can be motivating, unmanaged stress can lead to burnout and impact our health. With stress levels on the rise, it's more important than ever to find ways to manage it effectively.

But how do we strike the right balance?

At its core, stress is a natural response to life's demands. However, when stress becomes persistent, overwhelming, or uncontrollable, it can have a significant negative impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health. It's crucial to recognise the signs of stress early and take action before it becomes a barrier to our well-being.

The Causes of Stress: Home, Work, and Everything in Between

Stress isn't just something we experience at work. In fact, stress can stem from various sources in our daily lives - family responsibilities, personal relationships, or even financial concerns. The challenge lies in how we manage these stressors when they inevitably arise.

At work, stress often comes from tight deadlines, heavy workloads, or challenging relationships with colleagues. But home life can be equally stressful, especially when balancing the demands of family, home maintenance, and personal time.

Understanding where your stress is coming from is the first step in managing it. In our Online Workshop "Looking After Yourself in 2025 - Self-Care" , we dive into the causes of stress - both at home and at work - and explore how these factors affect us over time.

Recognise the Signs of Stress

It's easy to brush off stress, thinking that it's just a part of life. But stress manifests in ways we might not immediately recognise. From irritability and trouble sleeping to physical symptoms like headaches or muscle tension, the signs of stress can sneak up on us if we're not paying attention.

By attending our workshop, you'll learn how to identify stress in its early stages and take proactive steps to manage it before it takes a toll on your health and productivity. You'll also discover techniques for recognising the stress levels of those around you - especially important if you lead a team or manage others.

Stress Management Techniques: How to Reduce Stress and Find Balance

The key to managing stress is not to eliminate it entirely but to find healthy ways to reduce and cope with it. In our workshop, we'll introduce a range of practical techniques to help you manage your stress levels. These include:

Relaxation exercises that calm the mind and body
Mindfulness practices to help you stay grounded and present
Time management strategies to reduce overwhelm and increase productivity

With these skills, you'll be equipped to manage stress in a way that doesn't compromise your health or well-being.

Personal and Organisational Goals: Managing Stress Together

If you're a leader or manager, you know that stress doesn't just affect individuals - it impacts entire teams. By understanding how stress affects those around you, you can create a supportive environment that helps your team manage stress and perform at their best.

In our Looking After Yourself in 2025 - Self-Care workshop, we'll help you set personal and organisational goals for managing stress, creating a healthier, more productive environment for everyone involved.

Why Should You Attend?

If you're feeling the strain of stress, or if you've recently navigated a challenging time, this workshop is for you. Whether you're an individual seeking better self-care or a leader looking to support your team, this session will provide the tools and techniques you need to thrive in 2025.

Ready to take control of your stress and prioritise self-care?

Enquire with us about our workshop and sign up to start your journey toward better stress management and improved wellbeing!

View our Workshop Calendar and register here!

We look forward to helping you look after yourself in 2025.

For further enquiries, please don't hesitate to contact our CORP Officer at corp@corp.org.au

Holidays to Heal

lpage@easa.org.au (Louise Page) — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:30:01 GMT

When Holidays Fail to Refresh: Finding Genuine Rest for you Hard Workers

We all know the feeling: after months of relentless work, you finally take a holiday, only to return feeling just as exhausted as before you left. For many hard workers, the traditional holiday can sometimes fail to provide the rest and rejuvenation they desperately need.

In this blog, we'll explore some common holiday pitfalls and offer suggestions for science-backed ways to achieve genuine rest.

Common Holiday Pitfalls

Overpacked Itineraries

Example: Imagine planning a trip to Europe with the goal of visiting five countries in ten days. While the idea of seeing so many places might seem exciting, the reality often involves constant travel, early mornings, and little time to truly relax.

Why it fails: Overpacked itineraries can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. Instead of unwinding, you're constantly on the move, leaving little room for genuine rest.

Work-Centric "Breaks"

Example: A workaholic might take a "holiday" but still check emails, attend virtual meetings, or work on projects. This kind of break is more common than you might think, especially with the rise of remote work.

Why it fails: When work follows you on holiday, it prevents you from fully disconnecting and recharging. The stress and mental load of work remain, undermining the purpose of the break.

Social Overcommitment

Example: Spending your holiday visiting family and friends can be wonderful, but it can also become overwhelming if you're constantly socialising and have no time for yourself.

Why it fails: Social overcommitment can lead to burnout, especially for introverts who need alone time to recharge. Without personal downtime, the holiday can feel more like an obligation than a break.

Science-Backed Suggestions for Genuine Rest

Embrace Nature

Suggestion: Plan a holiday that involves spending time in nature, such as hiking, camping, or visiting a national park. Research shows that nature has a calming effect on the mind and body, reducing stress and improving mood.

Benefit: Nature-based holidays can provide a sense of peace and tranquility, helping you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Digital Detox

Suggestion: Commit to a digital detox during your holiday. Turn off your phone, avoid checking emails, and stay away from social media.

Benefit: Disconnecting from digital devices can reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to be more present and enjoy your surroundings fully.

Mindfulness and Relaxation

Suggestion: Incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises into your holiday routine. Consider a retreat focused on relaxation and self-care.

Benefit: Mindfulness practices can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote a sense of well-being. The encourage you to slow down and focus on the present moment.

Quality Sleep

Suggestion: Prioritise getting enough sleep during your holiday. Choose accommodations that offer a comfortable and quiet environment, and establish a relaxing bedtime routine.

Benefit: Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental recovery. It helps improve mood, cognitive function, and overall health.

Leisure and Hobbies

Suggestion: Spend your holiday engaging in leisure activities or hobbies that you enjoy but rarely have time for. This could be reading, painting, cooking, or any other activity that brings you joy.

Benefit: Engaging in hobbies can provide a sense of fulfillment and relaxation, helping you to unwind and recharge.

Holidays are meant to provide a break from the demands of work and daily life, but not all holidays are created equal. By avoiding common pitfalls and embracing science-backed strategies for genuine rest, you can return from your break feeling truly refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.

Remember, the key to a successful holiday is finding what works best for you and prioritising your well-being.

Self-Actualising Through Triggers

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Self-Actualising Through Triggers

When I was younger, like almost all teenagers, I sometimes struggled with feeling unhappy, and I felt my feelings were very strong. It's quite a scary thing for a young person to experience, such strong emotions which you just wish you could turn off yet strangely you don't know how to.

It seems, as human beings we have a large degree of control over ourselves, for most people we can control some if not all of our limbs. We can control our thoughts, we can control decisions, yet, strangely, our emotions have a mind of their own. This is because the emotions have laws of their own, which govern them.

Just as in the physical world, Einstein's theory of general relativity explains how large matter interact, and quantum physics explains how subatomic particles interact, and the laws seem completely different despite both of them making up the fabric of reality. The human being is also a dichotomy, of physical, and emotional (or you could even say spiritual if you like). However, there seems to be a link. What we feel affects our actions, and our actions can affect our feelings conversely. Because of this, it is vital that a person takes the time to learn about their inner make up.

From birth we are all endowed with a unique mix of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment). However, what scientists have recently discovered is that our actions can change our gene expressions. What this means is, we can become who we want to be. I find no greater joy in life than to pursue the path to becoming our ultimate self. To help us on this journey, it's important to begin to listen to our feelings instead of always suppressing them. The famous psychoanalyst Carl Jung called this ' facing your shadow '. Your shadow is simply the repressed parts of your psyche (the Greek word for soul: and it's also the same word in psych -ology).

Everyone has a shadow . We develop our shadow throughout life every time we receive criticism, or judgements from others while growing up, and out of fear or shame we change our behaviours. There is value to doing that, i.e. certain situations demand differences in behaviour, however when we lock away parts of ourselves all the time, these parts of our psyche rebel through our emotions - something triggers us.

Triggers are very important. They might not seem pleasant, but, in actuality, triggers are a pointing system to where unresolved issues we haven't dealt with are lurking. One interesting side effect of acknowledging the source of our triggers and dealing with them is unintended positive consequences. For example, you may be afraid of heights. You may have fallen out of a tree when you were young and broken your arm. This can be addressed through exposure therapy.

Exposure therapy is about exposing yourself to your fear in manageable steps to avoid becoming overwhelmed. For example, we know that often the antidote for a snake bite is another kind of venom. Therefore, symbolically speaking; a little of what made you sick is needed to make you better. So. if you are faithful to the process, you will recover. But not only will you recover, you will become better at facing other fears in your life, and you will start to transform your life in unimaginable ways. This is one example of how triggers (strong emotions) when treated with respect can lead us to greater healing.

Now, the problem in many cases is that we have a feeling, but don't know why. You might be scared of heights and never remember why. It might be something someone said to you while you were young, or how you witnessed someone close to you react to heights. This means the source of your emotions are hidden within your unconscious, and through attention and reflection you can slowly unravel the source of the emotion and find the corresponding therapy that can help you resolve it most effectively.

There are many kinds of therapies and some work better for different problems. People are also individuals, and some therapies may feel more comfortable than others. But what's important is that you maintain this growth mindset, that you understand you have the intrinsic ability to overcome your struggles, and just as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, the human psyche can undergo such a transformation, and you can fly to freedom.

References:

Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders . International Universities Press.

Foa, E. B., & Meadows, E. A. (1997). Psychosocial treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a critical review. Annual review of Psychology, 48, 449-480 . https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.48.1.449

Freud, S., & Strachey, J. (1987). Introductory lectures on psychoanalysis. Penguin Books.

Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognitive therapy and research, 36(5), 427-440 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1

Jung, C. G. (1992). The collected works of C G Jung. Vol 7, Two essays on analytical psychology . Routledge

McEwen B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: central role of the brain. Physiological reviews, 87(3), 873-904 . https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fdoi.org%2f10.1152%2fphysrev.00041.2006&umid=10e13b23-88dd-4049-b6ed-d04f300d259d&auth=db950721125a72fc95d429a06a9f4a72eb950d2b-8c08c50e1c253e2186fb60e5cc5b1f6a2f316b15

Van Der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma . Penguin Books

Wolpe, J. (1990). The Practice of Behaviour Therapy . Perhamon.

A Guide for the Holidays | Amber NT

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:00:01 GMT

A Guide to the Holidays | Amber NT

The festive season is not only a time of giving, but a time dedicated to family and loved ones. While this is a time of celebration for many, it can also be a time of great hardship, bringing grief and loneliness into sharp focus for individuals who have lost a loved one, in particular, those who have lost a child.

Amber NT provides support for those in the community who have suffered the loss of a child, offering advice and understanding to people wading through the process of grief in the wake of devastating loss.

Katy Chin, the General Manager and long-time ambassador of Amber NT was kind enough to provide us with some insight into how difficult and painful the festive season can be for people who have suffered the loss of a child, as well as some tips for these people who may be struggling during the holidays.

The end of year holidays, which revolve around the ideals of joy and peace can be a difficult time for anyone who has been impacted by the loss of a child. It can be a particularly painful time for families entering their first year after losing a baby or child.

If you are grieving, it is important to do what feels right for you this holiday season. If you are supporting someone who is grieving, acknowledge and understand how difficult this time of year can be for them.

Here are some strategies to support yourself and others this holiday season:

Remember that you are not alone. Over the Christmas/New Year period, whilst Amber NT staff won't be sitting in the office, we will be providing support on our phones.

If you need support over this period, please do not hesitate to reach out:

08 8948 5311

support@ambernt.org.au

AmberNT.BesideYouInGrief

ambernt.org.au

The Benefits of Volunteering

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 03:41:24 GMT

Volunteering and its benefits to your health and well being

We are moving into the season of giving and what better gift to give than the gift of your time and care?

In the past, the EASA team have been fortunate enough to hear from the lovely Megan Saltmarsh, Executive Manager of the NT branch of Volunteering SA & NT, about the benefits of volunteering on your health and wellbeing.

Many people volunteer in many different ways and for different reasons. You may be one of approximately 25,896 volunteers across the Northern Territory that volunteered through an organisation or group.

You may volunteer your time to help your elderly neighbour with their garden, provide emotional support to a friend, help out a local community group with their bake sale, or conversation activity.

And did you know that there are many health and wellbeing benefits that some from volunteering?

When a person volunteers it has been shown to bring meaning and purpose to their life, while increasing their self-esteem and wellbeing. Volunteering has also shown to relieve stress, ease symptoms of depression, and improve social relationships.

So, how does volunteering positively impact a person's life in this way?

Find out by clicking the button below to read the full article by Megan about the many ways that volunteering can improve your mental health and wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of others.

Transactional Analysis

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 23:22:22 GMT

Transactional Analysis and Effective Workplace Interactions

Have you ever had a conversation with someone at work and you felt like you were missing each other, that you weren't being heard or understood, that there was some disconnect, but you couldn't figure out where it was?

In this example, from the perspective of Transactional Analysis (TA) it is likely that the two parties involved in the transaction are operating from different ego state. An ego state is a consistent pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviour. In TA there are three state; Parent, Adult and Child which all of us experience. Each function in different ways and are subconscious, revealing themselves without us noticing, and yet they affect how we receive, perceive and respond in any transaction.

Ego States

Understanding ego states is the basis for understanding the TA model. To identify ego states we pay attention to tone of voice, body posture, gestures, choice of words and the speaker's emotional state.

Parent:

The values, attitudes and behaviours we observed from our parents/caregivers and were adopted and assumed as true e.g. people can't be trusted.

Critical/Controlling Parent - disapproves and is harsh, judgemental and authoritarian; you might find yourself using words and phrases like "should," "must," or "you're wrong". In this state, you might be inclined to set rules and expectations for others. You might enforce these rules even when they aren't necessary or appropriate for the situation.

Nurturing Parent - Rescuing, soothing, caring, understanding, encouraging and supportive like a caring parent.

Adult:

The rational process that deals with the here and now. This ego state is a more integrated considering facts and logic as well as feelings. This state is considered open, respectful, listens to others and able to compromise, be non-judgemental, interested and confident. The adult ego state excels in problem-solving and seeking solutions rather than dwelling on emotional reactions. You'll use words and phrases like "I think," "I believe," and "It appears that".

Child:

Primarily focused on strong feelings, such as anger, fear, excitement, or joy. It doesn't mean being childish but acting as you did when you were a child.

Adaptive Child - conforms and wants to be seen as good and liked. Tends to be quite passive, resembling a child looking to their caregiver for reassurance.

Rebellious Child - When perceives conflict can respond with resistance, hostility, emotional reactivity and be seen as defiant and complaining.

Free Child - Energetic, fun-loving, spontaneous, and acts without thinking of the consequences.

Transactions

Transactions consist of the back and forth or information, known as a stimulus and a response. When we use the ego states to analyse transactions, it may look like this:

A complementary transaction is one which is parallel, and can continue indefinitely, however may not necessarily be healthy.

Crossed Transactions

A crossed transaction is where a stimulus is delivered from one ego state, but the response returns from a different ego state and communication breaks down:

The communication stops and can only continue if the other person shifts ego state, to make it a complimentary transaction.

How to Use this Concept in the Workplace

Within this model the ego state of both communicators are determined, allowing you to make the conscious choice to change your patterns of behaviour, to influence the outcome of the transaction. As the adult ego state is integrated using critical thinking, active listening, empathy and taking a problem-solving approach it is the preferred ego state n the workplace.

In addition, transactional analysis:

Helps you to understand yourself - if you're aware of what causes you to shift into parent and child, you can develop strategies to use to help you stay in adult
Enhances teamwork and effective leadership - adapt your communication style based on the needs of the team; flexibility with roles can benefit teamwork. Sometimes we need to entertain the child role (brainstorming), sometimes we need the structured parent to take control
Helps with resolving conflict - identify which ego states are in conflict and shift transactions towards adult ago state choosing a more productive way of communicating focusing on problem-solving.

Techniques to Hold Yourself in Adult

It takes conscious awareness to be able to bring ourselves into the adult ego state and hold ourselves there.

Slow things down, breath, summarise and reflect back what you hear
Stay present
Be curious and ask open questions
Validate emotions AND focus on problem-solving

Fatigue, stress and a highly triggering environment can challenge our ability to remain in adult. This highlights the need for self-care as well as self-soothing both at work as well as at home, to increase our capacity t hold ourselves in adult.

This is a very basic introduction to Transactional Analysis emphasising the more we understand ourselves, the more effective we are likely to be in the workplace.

If you would like to learn more, please contact EASA.

R U OK? Day

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:00:00 GMT

4 Steps That Could Change a Life:

Ask: R U OK?

Be friendly, relaxed and engaged
Help them open up with questions like "How are you going?" or "What's been happening?"
Mention things that have made you concerned for them, like "You seem less talkative than usual. Are you okay?"

Listen with an open mind

Be considerate, take what the person says seriously and don't rush the conversation
Don't judge
If the person needs time to think, allow it and just sit with them
Encourage them to explain things in-depth
Demonstrate that you've heard what they've said by repeating things back to them and ask if you've understood

Encourage Action

Ask: "How can I support you?"
Encourage self-care by asking: "What's something you can do for yourself right now that's enjoyable or relaxing?"
Explore possible supports the person could utilise, like family, friends, Lifeline and Beyond Blue
If they've been exhibiting a low mood for more than 2 weeks or is at risk, contact a professional as soon as you can

Check In

Call the person soon after your conversation
Ask them if they've found ways to manage the situation. If they haven't don't judge them. Encourage them again
Stay in touch and support them. Genuine concern can make a big difference

If Someone Needs Expert Help...

Some conversations are too big for family and friends to take on alone. If someone's been really low for more than 2 weeks - or is at risk - please contact a professional as soon as you can:

PLEASE NOTE: If you believe that a person's life is in danger, call 000 .

Wear It Purple Day 2024 | Why EASA Will Wear It Purple

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Why EASA Will Wear It Purple!

Wear It Purple Day strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.

At EASA, equipping professionals and organisations to best support their teams is what we do, and acknowledging and fostering support for our rainbow young people is a vital part of this process.

Education & Awareness: Encourage ongoing education about diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality. Adults can attend workshops, read literature, and engage in conversations to broaden their understanding. You can also try exploring online resources such as TED Talks, podcasts, articles and the Wear It Purple website. Platforms like these offer a wealth of content on these topics. You could even invite external speakers or use internal resources to facilitate sessions.
Promoting Inclusivity: In the workplace, adults can actively promote inclusivity by advocating for diverse hiring practices, creating safe spaces, and ensuring that policies and practices consider the needs of all employees. If you are a leader, ensure support for Wear It Purple initiatives. Your commitment sets the tone for the entire organisation.
Amplifying Voices: Use your position to amplify the voices of marginalised groups. Highlight their experiences, challenges, and achievements. This can be done through mentorship, sharing stories, or organising events.
Challenging Bias: You can challenge stereotypes and biases when you encounter them. Whether it is in meetings, casual conversations, or decision-making processes, standing up against discrimination is crucial.
Intersectional Policies: Advocate for policies that address the unique challenges faced by individuals at the intersections of race, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQIA+ identities. This might involve parental leave policies, mental health support, or cultural competency training.

Remember, fostering an inclusive work environment benefits everyone and contributes to a more equitable society.

Resources from Wear It Purple

Looking for specific information?

Click any of the below buttons to view the various resources and articles created and distributed by Wear It Purple.

You can find printable posters and guides, digital material for your organisation, and further information on Wear It Purple and their cause.

Workplace Bullying

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 23:00:00 GMT

A Reflection on Bullying and Growing Up

When my son was in school, he came to me upset one day. Another boy his age at school was struggling to fit in and was getting significantly negative attention. My son felt for him but also felt the strong pull to fit in, too. This was an excellent opportunity to talk about the hardest lesson to learn - staying true to your values can take courage.

Have you witnessed something at your workplace and later wished you had spoken up? Even now you may wish to develop courage in this area. Consider contacting your HR or a consult with EASA and we can work together to find a solution.

Perhaps you reacted with a co-worker in a way you regret but are struggling to own your own behaviour. You are not alone, self-reflection is incredibly tough - but you can do this!

Though workplaces should be safe havens where employees thrive, collaborate, and grow they are also full of imperfect humans - humans, though, are capable of great growth and change.

Understanding Workplace Bullying

What is Workplace Bullying?

Workplace bullying is more than just a tough boss or occasional disagreement. It involves repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed toward an employee or a group of workers, creating a risk to health and safety. Examples of this include verbal abuse, threats, and exclusion. It can be subtle, too: Oops, left off the circulation list, "Sorry, missed sending you the meeting invite", etc.

The Toll on Individuals

Bullying takes a toll on mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Victims often suffer silently, fearing retaliation or stigma. Self-reflection is crucial: Are we perpetuating harmful behaviour? Can we change our approach?

The Bystander Effect

At one of my past workplaces, a senior manager whistled to call another manager to his office. A worker new to the area witnessed this and encourage the senior manager to review his understanding of leadership "I'm not sure that nay book on great leadership entails calling people like dogs". Others in the office who had witnessed this behaviour for months had put their heads down and were busy looking for other places to work. Their work output was suffering.

Research shows that witnessing workplace bullying and harassment can have significant effects on other employees. Here are some key impacts:

Health Consequences:
Physical Health - Recent studies suggest that being bullied at work can have serious effects on physical health. For instance, individuals who experience workplace bullying may be at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular illnesses, such as heart disease or stroke.
Mental Health - Witnessing bullying can also lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Work Environment Disruption:
Bullying creates a hostile work environment, affecting morale and overall well-being.
It disrupts teamwork, collaboration, and productivity.
Absenteeism and Reduced Productivity:
Employees who witness bullying may take more sick days due to stress or anxiety.
Reduced productivity can result from the negative impact on motivation and focus.
Financial Impact:
Workplace bullying can lead to increased workers' compensation claims and absenteeism, resulting in financial losses for the organization.
Long-Term Effects:
In extreme cases, witnessing bullying can contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other long-term health issues.

Self-Reflection: Am I part of the Solution?

Ask yourself:

How do I approach people? Is it respectful and empathetic?
Have I witnessed mistreatment? Did I speak up or stay silent?

Promoting a respectful and supportive workplace culture is crucial to prevent these negative consequences. Employers should address bullying promptly and create an environment where everyone feels safe and valued. If this looks challenging, we encourage you to reach out to our CORP division for options. If you encounter bullying or harassment, consider reporting it to your HR department or seek support from colleagues, or one of our experienced EASA clinicians.

Resources:

Villaflor, R. (2019). ' A Reflection on Bullying and Growing Up', Overcoming Obstacles, 2 October, https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/blog/2019/10/a-reflection-on-bullying/

Jarrett, C. (2020). 'Workplace Bullying is More Harmful than We Realised', BBC Online, 7 January, https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191219-workplace-bullying-is-more-harmful-than-we-realised

Gordon, S. (2023). 'Signs and Effects of Workplace Bullying', Verywell Mind, 23 August, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-effects-of-workplace-bullying-460628

Suggala, S., Thomas, S., Kureshi, S. (2020). 'Impact of Workplace Bullying on Employees' Mental Health and Self-Worth', In: Dhiman, S. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Well-Being. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02470-3_30-1

Bergersen, L. M., Hartley, C. E. (2020). 'Knock it Off! Harassment & Bullying in the Workplace', State Bar of Wisconsin, 1 May, https://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/WisconsinLawyer/Pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=27711

Unlocking Motivation & Wellbeing: A Guide to Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:24:47 GMT

A Guide to Self-Determination Theory (SDT

In the hustle and bustle of the workplace, we often forget that motivation and well-being are not just about salary and promotions. Enter Self-Determination Theory (SDT) - A powerful framework that sheds light on what truly drives us at work. Whether you're an employee seeking fulfillment or a manager aiming to boost team morale, SDT has something for everyone.

What is Self-Determination Theory?

At its core, SDT emphasises three innate psychological needs:

Autonomy: The need for freedom and choice. Do you have the autonomy to work in a way that suits you? Is there a supportive structure that allows autonomy?
Competence: The desire to feel effective and capable. Are you using your skills and knowledge effectively at work? Is there room for growth and challenge?
Relatedness: The longing for meaningful connections. How connected are you to colleagues or clients? Meaningful interactions matter.

How Can Workers Benefit from SDT?

Rethinking our workplace problems in light of our psychological needs can help unpack why our situation is so unsatisfying. It can help define just what our problem is, show where it comes from, and provide fertile ground for exploring strategies to improve the situation. Consider applying the following measures in situations at work that negatively impact your feelings of Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness:

Set Personal Goals:

Align your work tasks with your interests and strengths.
Seek projects that allow you to showcase your competence.

Seek Feedback:

Regular feedback helps you gauge your progress and competence. Don't shy away from constructive criticism - it's a growth opportunity.

Advocate for Autonomy:

Discuss flexible work arrangements with your manager. Can you choose your work methods or adjust your schedule?

Build Connections:

Attend team-building events, collaborate with colleagues, and create a positive work environment.

How Can Managers Apply SDT?

The frustration of unmet psychological needs can lead to adverse employment outcomes, including diminished motivation, lower work performance, mental health issues, and a decrease in overall well-being. Use of SDT can help to examine which of our needs are not being fulfilled and to develop strategies to improve our autonomy, competence and sense of having a meaningful connection to our workplace.

It is helpful for those in leadership roles to consider applying SDT within the workplace to ensure that employees feel that sense of autonomy, competence and relatedness that we all need to feel fulfilled.

Some ways that managers can do this is by:

Creating a Supportive Environment:

Encourage learning and skill development
Provide opportunities for growth and challenge

Empowering Employees:

Trust your team to make decisions
Involve them in decision-making processes

Fostering Positive Relationships:

Promote collaboration and teamwork
Recognise and celebrate achievements

Putting SDT into Practice: A Case Study

Imagine a software development team. The Manager:

Encourages team members to explore new programming languages (competence)
Allows flexible work hours and remote work (autonomy)
Organises team-building outings (relatedness)

The result? Motivated, engaged, and productive developers who feel valued.

Conclusion

SDT isn't just theory - it's a practical guide to creating a fulfilling work experience. So, whether you're an employee or a manager, remember: Competence, autonomy, and relatedness are the keys to unlocking motivation and well-being.

Feel free to share this blog with your colleagues and start a conversation about SDT at your workplace!

Men's Mental Health

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:57:26 GMT

Men's Mental Health

One in two men will experience mental health disorder in their lifetime (AMHF, 2024).

Most men's mental health advice is centred around diet, exercise, and mates (Health Direct, 2024). This is a fantastic set of things to begin to focus on when life gets hard. In fact, it is key for people of all genders to focus on these things first because they have a direct result on our nervous system, and therefore, our mental health.

So, what makes men's mental health different?

The best guess is that generally, as a group, men don't express to the people around them their inner world (Real, T., 1998). This may be because they don't feel safe to, it also might be because they don't know how to. These are two different ideas that can also overlap.

If we look at not feeling safe to express ourselves, knowing our emotions and keeping them secret, we find that there is often shame there. This sense that people close to us will run for the hills if we talk about our inner experiences. Where there is shame, there is isolation, judgement, and over-identification of this shameful narrative (Neff, 2020). These are rigid behaviours. It can be helpful in some scenarios to hold your inner life guarded from the outside world, but not in all scenarios. Sometimes these rigid behaviours can damage relationships or keep that narrative going in a loop in our own head. In this case, it can be about learning to be flexible in this and understanding the pros and cons of letting people understand your world, or the pros and cons of externalising the narrative we hold (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010). It can be difficult to say something that makes no sense, but it could be helpful to try if you haven't yet.

On the other hand, we might not know how to express what is happening for us. We are talking about emotional granularity. Higher emotional granularity allows us to express with more minute detail what our experience is. For example: 'I am mad' is a statement that makes sense and gives us a general view of what's happening. However, how mad are you? And what is it that makes you mad? Another example: 'I'm infuriated at the constant feeling of inadequacy I have because my boss won't listen to me' is a far more descriptive understanding of what's happening for that person. With that information we might be able to communicate differently or change our viewpoint to sort out the issue. Emotional granularity is a skill, a teachable one. One that will influence how people react to you and understand you.

Those are two ways in which men can enact change with their own mental health with psychological skillsets. De-shaming the idea of expressing their inner world and learning helpful ways to express the inner world. Easier said than done, right?

It definitely takes practice, but it can be done. A great way to start: express in a way that is just for you (eg. A punching bag, creating something from nothing, journaling, art, music, etc.) which can help move, externalise, and 'sort' the inner experience before going straight to communication. This is like doing it at training before taking it on the field. Therapy is also a great option to hear ideas from an experienced communicator of feelings and bounce ideas off.

If you're struggling with your mental health definitely look at the practical steps first: sleep, diet, exercise, reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, and connect with people around you. This will absolutely help if those things are lacking, but there may also be a reluctance to let someone else in on what is going on. Perhaps because it sounds stupid, and you know what to do but can't seem to do it. We know that this kind of isolation is what leads to poor mental health, so addressing this silence might be the key to better mental health for men. Which leaves it in our hands: we need to man up and talk about it.

References:

Real, T. (1998). I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the secret legacy of male depression. Simon and Schuster.

Kashdan, T.B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 865-878.

Neff, K.D. (2020). Let the empirical evidence speak on the Self-Compassion Scale. Mindfulness , 11, 1900-1909.

^(Fiori, K.L., and Denckla, C.A. (2012). Social support and mental health in middle-aged men and women: A multidimensional approach. Journal of Aging and Health, 24(3), 407-438).

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mens-mental-health

https://www.amhf.org.au/mens_mental_health

What is Procrastination?

Mon, 13 May 2024 23:00:00 GMT

I'm too tired! I'm too busy!

You've got an important or necessary task to do, but you are just too tired, or too busy, or maybe it's too late in the day, or you don't have exactly everything you need. Does this sound familiar to you? Well, these are some of the common excuses we use when we procrastinate.

What is Procrastination?

Procrastination is when you decide to put off completing a task despite there being negative consequences to this decision. Instead of the task, we choose a more enjoyable activity, a lower priority task or a distraction. It could be choosing to watch TV instead of paying a bill, or scrolling through your social media instead of doing a university assignment. Then, to avoid feeling guilty, we make excuses (like the ones above).

Procrastination is common however, it becomes problematic when the negative consequences start impacting our lives.

Why am I doing it?

Sometimes people have unhelpful assumptions that encourage procrastination:

"I shouldn't have to do things just because someone else says so"

"Life is too short to be doing things that are boring"

"If I try, then I will fail"

"If I take action, then something bad will happen"

"I can't do it because I am incapable"

"I can't do things when I am stressed / fatigued / unmotivated / depressed"

These rules and assumptions often lead to discomfort around doing the task, so we come up with excuses to delay or avoid the task to get short-term relief from the discomfort. Ultimately, this leads to further discomfort, tasks piling up and our rules and assumptions going unchallenged... keeping us in the cycle of procrastination.

What can I do about it?

Understand the cycle: Reflect on what tasks you commonly procrastinate on, what your go-to excuses are, and what unhelpful rules and assumptions you hold.
Challenge excuses: Will I really be better off by delaying this task? Can I still get a bit done now even if things aren't ideal? There is likely some truth to the excuse so challenge the conclusion you are making from it. For example; being tired could mean "I can't do it now, I need rest", or "I can do a little bit, then rest".
Challenge the unhelpful rules and assumptions: Is my rule or assumption reasonable, realistic, fair and helpful? Is there an alternative, more helpful one?
Acknowledge your feelings: This means we say to ourselves in our head how we are feeling. For example; if, when thinking about paying a bill, you feel anxiety you would acknowledge to yourself "I am feeling anxious".
Learn to tolerate the discomfort: You can combine the above point with mindfulness through non-judgemental observation i.e. notice where in your body you feel the 'anxiety' and stay focused there until it subsides.
Schedule the task into your day: Carve out time to dedicate to the task that enables you to focus without other distractions.

Resources and Support:

Counsellors and Psychologists at EASA can also assist you to develop awareness and skills to challenge your procrastination cycle.
The Centre for Clinical Interventions has a workbook available online: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Procrastination

References:

Centre for Clinical Interventions (2019), Procrastination , https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/For-Clinicians/Procrastination

Helpful Tips from the EASA Team

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 03:20:40 GMT

Helpful Tips from the EASA Team

We understand that, often, the tools and tricks you learn in your counselling sessions may be overwhelming or difficult to remember.

Additionally, it can sometimes be tricky to know where to start with your sessions. You may know that you are feeling badly or struggling day to day, but it may not be clear to you why this is.

These tip sheets cover many topics from anxiety to hypnosis, to the conditions of your personal or professional environments and how they can impact your mental health and wellbeing.

Ask your clinician about our tips sheets or pick some up the next time you visit our offices.

If you feel that you are struggling and need some support, you can contact us at:

Darwin:

(08) 8941 1752, or

easadarwin@easa.org.au

Alice Springs:

(08) 8953 4225, or

easaalicesprings@easa.org.au

In Case of an Emergency

000 - Emergency Services

13 11 14 - LifeLine

Emotional Labour

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 23:00:00 GMT

What is Emotional Labour?

Emotional Labour is defined as the effort put toward maintaining emotional composure which deviates from our true feelings. It was initially labelled by Hoschschild as "the management of feeling to create a publicly observable facial and bodily display [that is] sold for a wage" (1983, p.12).

There are two subcategories of emotional labour: surface acting "fake it till you make it" and deep acting "internalising the emotions".

How emotional labour manifests at home and in the workplace:

At work, employees may be expected to perform emotional labour tasks when interacting with others. Common examples include:

Being instructed to smile while at work
Dismissing your personal reactions when somebody is hurtful toward you
Being punished for emotions, e.g. crying at work

At home and in relationships, people may feel obligated to suppress their emotions. Common emotional labour examples in these situations include:

Burying your true feelings to avoid arguments
Feeling pressured to support your partner even if it jeopardises your emotions
Taking on the household mental load, like cleaning or childcare, and not having your effort reciprocated

How does this apply to me?

It is widely accepted that employment requires physical and mental work. But perhaps a more hidden reality is that jobs also require emotional labour: an employee's expression of organisationally desired emotions.

If you have ever worked in a place where you must falsely express your felt vs displayed emotions, there is a high chance you have experienced the emotional labour of maintaining that 'professional composure'.

One example of a role which depends upon emotional labour is teaching. Second to knowledge and instructional skills, emotional labour output was seen as a driving force in perceived student engagement (Buric and Wang, 2024). Further, Rogers et al. (2014) found that in medical practitioners, this consistent output of surface emotional labour which can lead to emotional dissonance, low satisfaction at work, people pleasing and eventually, burnout.

What predicts emotional output?

The type of job you are undertaking
The frequency of needed emotional labour
The variety of emotions needed in the role
The intensity of the emotions required
The expectations which people place on you
A lack of personal boundaries around emotional labour

Recommendations if you are struggling with the emotional labour load:

Emotional labour can be exhausting, but thankfully there are some strategies you can implement to minimise the toll of emotional labour on your wellbeing:

Reach out to your company's Employee Assistance Program: ask to speak to a professional about your emotional workload and develop some strategies together
Take a break: studies demonstrate that taking rest breaks throughout the day can decrease stress and increase productivity (Goodwin et al. 2011)
Practice self-care: set aside time where you are able to recharge and don't have the pressure of performing emotional labour i.e., journaling, walking, finding healthy ways to express and process your feelings
Set emotional boundaries: be strong, saying no to tasks which you don't have capacity for and speaking up when you feel uncomfortable with the way somebody is treating you

References:

A.R. Hochschild (1983). The managed heart: Commercialization of human feeling.

Buric, I. and Wang, H. (2024). Relationships among teacher enjoyment, emotional labor, and perceived student engagement: A daily diary approach. Journal of School Psychology, [online] 103, p.101271. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2023.101271 .

Rogers M.E., Creed P.A., Searle J. Emotional labour, training stress, burnout, and depressive symptoms in junior doctors. J. Vocat. Educ. Train. 2014;66;232-248.

doi: 10.1080/13636820.2014.884155.

Goodwin RE, Groth M, Frenkel SJ. Relationships between emotional labor, job performance, and turnover. Journal of Vocational Behaviour. 2011;79(2):538-548.

doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2011.03.001. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000187911100025X .

What is Anxiety?

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:00:00 GMT

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a common response to stressful circumstances like public speaking or taking a test. It usually passes once the stressful situation has passed, or the 'stressor' is removed.

When anxious thoughts, feelings, or physical symptoms persist over a prolonged period of times, happen without reason, and have a negative impact on a person's every-day life, an anxiety disorder will likely be diagnosed.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety Include:

Persistent worry
Difficulty concentrating
Restlessness
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability
Rapid heartrate
Trembling
Feeling light-headed
Upset stomach
Sweating

Some of these symptoms can be associated with physical health conditions, so it's always best to see your GP so they can check them properly.

What Causes Anxiety?

The combination of factors which result in an individual developing an anxiety disorder differ from person to person. However, there are some major factors that have been identified, which may be common to sufferers. These factors can be effectively divided into biological and psychological causes.

Biological Factors:

Based on family studies, it has been suggested that individuals may inherit a vulnerability to developing an anxiety disorder (Hettema et al., 2001).

Psychological Factors:

Having this genetic vulnerability does not imply that these individuals will develop an anxiety disorder. A great deal depends on the lifestyle of that person, the types of life stressors they have encountered and their early learning.

Approximately one in four people will experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their life. It is the most common mental health condition in Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022).

Managing Anxiety

Some simple lifestyle changes can assist in helping to reduce anxiety. These include:

Schedule daily brief mindfulness exercises with apps like SmilingMind and moodgym
Engage in some regular exercise
Reduce your intake of drugs and other stimulants (i.e., caffeine, alcohol)
Plan a pleasant, enjoyable activity for yourself each day
Establish good sleeping patterns
Eat a nutritious diet
Investigate supplements that may be helpful (e.g., Omega 3 has been shown to reduce anxiety)
Start a journal - writing down anxious cognitions can drastically reduce their impact

Formal Treatments

Psychological and medical treatment is available for people suffering from anxiety. Psychological treatment usually includes psycho-education around what is happening and why, as well as teaching you skills to help manage the anxiety.

EASA have psychologists and counsellors who work with mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - all of which have been shown to be helpful in managing anxiety (Australian Psychological Society [APS], 2018). A general practitioner may prescribe medication if they feel it will be beneficial and suitable.

Additional Online Support :

The Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/

References

Hettema, J. M., Neale, M.C., & Kendler, K.S. (2001). A review and meta-analysis of the genetic epidemiology of Anxiety Disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158 (10), 1568-1578. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.158.10.1568

Australian Psychological Society (APS). (2018). Evidence-based psychological interventions in the treatment of mental health disorders: A literature review (4th ed.). Melbourne: Author.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). National survey of mental health and wellbeing: Summary of results, 2023 . https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-2022

Compassion Fatigue in Professionals

easadarwin@easa.org.au (EASA Inc) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Compassion Fatigue is also known as Vicarious Trauma

I write, not as a clinician, but as someone who has experienced compassion fatigue and who also works with and supports a group of amazing clinicians who work tirelessly to assist the needs of others. Anyone can fall victim to compassion fatigue however people whose professions lead to prolonged exposure to other people's trauma can be the most vulnerable.

Compassion fatigue is commonly known as vicarious trauma and acute symptoms can be experienced that may put the professional's physical and mental health at risk.

Empathy is a valuable trait and important for humanity as a whole. However, the more one opens themselves up to other's pain, the more likely that they will share the feelings of the victim experiencing it. Professionals such as healthcare professionals, first responders, humanitarian workers, and other front-line workers to name a few, expose themselves to traumatic stories and images which, if encountered regularly, can lead to total exhaustion, burnout and other concerning issues.

Symptoms that may become apparent include:

exhaustion
interrupted sleep, anxiety
headaches
stomach issues
irritability
numbness or a decreased sense of purpose
self-contempt
emotional disconnection and challenges in personal relationships

Even the most dedicated of workers can neglect self-care, pushing their limits by working extra shifts or not taking time off. Whether it is exposure from a single traumatic event or years of accumulation, the ability to continue working in this way is not sustainable and should be identified by the workplace.

It is important to note that burnout is not the same as compassion fatigue where every day stressors contribute to this equally concerning issue. Although they share similar symptoms, the fatigue from compassion is the strain of feeling another person's pain.

This condition is raw and real, people in the helping professions are being urged by their professional bodies, researchers and supporters, to manage compassion fatigue in several ways, including:

Regular exercise
Healthy eating
Committing to adequate rest
Committing to regular time off
Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation and/or yoga
Time out in nature
Devoting time to interests or hobbies outside of work
Seeking therapy via your work Employee Assistance Program

As the Practice Manager of EASA, I dedicate a lot of my time to supporting our Clinicians through a variety of means and by listening and taking on their feedback. I also acknowledge that what works for some professionals does not work for others and so a tailored approach to providing a nurturing environment in a work setting is integral.

At EASA we take seriously the care of our staff first, and have the satisfaction of the flow-on effect to each and every one of our customers. Because everyone matters.

Listening

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Never underestimate the power of taking the time to truly listen to someone else.

What is listening?

Not only does listening enhance your ability to learn and understand messages from another person, done well, empathetic listening can make you a better parent, partner, colleague, CEO, manager, friend, therapist or sibling. It also makes the experience of speaking to you more enjoyable to other people.

Listening demonstrates that you respect others, and is the first step in building trust, rapport and recognising the contributions of others.

What is the purpose of listening to others?

Listening makes people feel like they matter.
Arrogance talks. Humility listens. Practice Humility by letting others speak and respond to what they have said, not what you want them to say.
Listen to help others learn what they really think and find clarity.
Listen to understand what needs to be acted upon.
Curiosity. Listen in order to ask questions, not as a means to shower them with your 'wisdom' of what you think they are thinking and feeling. Curiosity brings possibility to a relationship and to a situation or 'problem'. It builds trust that will be carried forward to the next interaction with them.

How is 'Listening' and sound linked to our health as individuals and as a species?

Julian Treasure at his 2011 TedTalk; "5 ways to listen better" encouraged the audience to "listen consciously to live fully for connection, understanding and peace".

Watch the full TedTalk below:

Listening has its enemies

Our findings support existing evidence that managers who listen well are perceived as people leaders, generate more trust, instill higher job satisfaction, and increase their team's creativity. Yet, if listening is so beneficial for employees and for organisations, why is it not more prevalent in the workplace? Why are most employees (managers included) not listened to in the way they want?

Research shows that a few barriers often stand in the way:

Loss of power - Some managers may feel that if they listen to their employees, they are going to be looked upon as weak. But at the same time, it's been shown that being a good listener means gaining prestige. So it seems manager must make a trade-off between attaining status based on intimidation and getting status based on admiration.
Listening consumes time and effort - In many instances, managers listen to employees under time pressure or while they're distracted by other thoughts or work. So, listening is an investment decision: everyone holds the power to put in the time to listen in order to see and experience the future benefits for their workplaces and relationships.
Fear of change - High-quality listening can be risky because it entails entering a speaker's perspective without trying to make judgements. This process could potentially change the listener's attitudes and perceptions. It has been observed several times that when managers are trained to truly listen, they gain crucial insights about their employees - Many are stunned to learn how little they know about the lives of people they've worked with for many years.

Several managers reported in a study that, when they tried listening to employees who they'd confronted about poor attendance, they learned that these employees were struggling with supporting a family member through illness and hardship. This realisation threatened managers' attitudes and views about themselves - an experience called cognitive dissonance that can be difficult to navigate.

Tips for becoming a better listener

Listening resembles a muscle. It requires training, persistence, effort, and most importantly, the intention to become a good listener. It requires clearing your mind from internal and external noise and, if this isn't possible, postponing a conversation for when you can truly listen without being distracted.

Here are some best practices:

Give 100% of your attention, or do not listen - Put aside your smartphone, iPad, or laptop, and look at the speaker, even if they do not look back at you. In an ordinary conversation, a speaker looks at you occasionally to see that you're still listening.
Do not interrupt - Resist the urge to interrupt before the speaker indicates they are done for the moment. Go to someone at your work and let them know that you are learning and practicing listening and that today, you will listen for a set amount of minutes (anywhere from 3, 5 or 10 minutes), and delay responding until the predetermined listening time is up. You could even wait until the following day to respond. Oftentimes, managers are amazed at their discoveries with accounts of interactions that would normally take an hour to complete only requiring 6 minutes of listening. In another instance, a manager was able to learn things from a staff member that they had been preventing her from saying for 18 years.
Do not judge or evaluate - Listen without jumping to conclusions and interpreting what you hear. You may notice your judgemental thoughts but push them aside. If you notice that you lost track of the conversation due to your judgements, apologise to the speaker that your mind was distracted, and ask them to repeat. Do not pretend to listen.
Do not impose your solutions - The role of the listener is to help the speaker draw up a solution themselves. Therefore, when listening to a fellow colleague or subordinate, refrain from suggesting solutions.
Ask more (good) questions - Listeners shape conversations by asking questions that benefit the speaker. Good listening requires being thoughtful about what the speaker needs help with most and crafting a question that would lead the speaker to search for an answer. Ask questions to help someone delve deeper into their thoughts and experiences. Before you ask a question, ask yourself, " is this question intended to benefit the speaker or satisfy my own curiosity?" Of course, there is room for both, but a good listener prioritises the needs of the other. One of the best questions you can ask is, "is there anything else?". This often exposes novel information and unexpected opportunities.
Reflect - When you finish a conversation, reflect on your listening and think about missed opportunities - moments you ignored potential leads or remained silent versus asking questions. When you feel that you were an excellent listener, consider what you gained, and how you can apply this type of listening in more challenging circumstances

Empathetic listening requires that listeners quell the brain's biological need for efficiency, prediction and planning and employ a purely bottom-up process to become truly open to the input of others.

As Ram Charan concluded, "Truly empathetic listening requires courage - the willingness to let go of the old habits and embrace new ones. But once acquired, these listening habits are the very skills that turn would-be leaders into true ones. If we each are indeed creating our own individual perceptions, perhaps empathetic listening is what enables those perceptions to dovetail into collective understanding. Therefore, instead of remaining helpless because of the limitations of his or her own experience and knowledge, instead of having to discover what others have already discovered, instead of exploring the false trails they explored and repeating their errors, he or she can go on from where they left off" .

Language and empathetic listening makes effective, sustainable change possible.

Research findings also suggest that attentive and non-judgemental listening seems to make an employee more relaxed, more self-aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and more willing to reflect in a non-defensive manner. This can make employees more likely to cooperate (versus compete) with other colleagues, as they become more interested in sharing their attitudes, not not necessarily in trying to persuade others to adopt them, and more open to considering other points of view.

This is relevant to all employees at all levels. Listening is about listening to others, being listened to and listening to ourselves.

Resources:

Ferry, K (2023) 'The Science of Listening'. Briefings Magazine.

Itzchakov, G. Kluger, A.N. (May 17, 2018) 'The Power of Listening in Helping People Change'. Harvard Business School.

Treasure, J. (2011) '5 Ways to Listen Better'. Ted Global 2011, July.

Burnout in Teachers

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 22:30:00 GMT

It is no secret that our teachers are under the pump. So, what can be done about this epidemic of teachers approaching burnout?

It is clear that in Australia we are losing more teachers than we are gaining each year and they are leaving because of stagnating wages and excessive workload (AITSL, 2022).

Teachers are an instrumental part of our society, providing students with not only knowledge but care, compassion and a role model for their future years. Education has been linked to improving self-esteem, team work skills and occupational outcomes (Hancock et al., 2013). Even though it may be difficult, there are teachers who are using their passion to teach our future generations. Given the somewhat alarming state of the profession, what is helpful for our current passionate teachers to manage what might be the most challenging career of their life?

The cycle that can lead to burnout:

The way teachers relate to the students and the meaning they make from their work can have a positive effect on students in adverse situations (Lavy & Ayuob, 2019). It is well known that teacher engagement is linked to good educational outcomes. However, if a teacher is approaching burnout, they relate poorly to their students, are less engaging, and react poorly to undesirable behaviours in the classroom. This understandable reaction to an excessive workload starts a behavioural cycle where the teacher reacts poorly to undesirable behaviour, which fuels more undesirable behaviour making the days harder (Madigan & Kim, 2021).

How to stop the cycle:

The meaning that teachers make about their own career could be a defining factor in how this cycle starts. Once the reciprocating cycle starts it is up to the teacher and their school to find a way back to a regulated state. They are, after all, the adult(s) in the room who (on top of everything else) are a role model in emotional regulation. The good news is, it's a win-win, if the teacher can find balance they become a more effective teacher and more balanced in their personal life. Given the complexity of the situation, how can we use this idea to create better outcomes for teacher's wellbeing?

The 3 Domains of Teacher Wellbeing

Social Domain:

A survey by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (2020) shows that teachers feel they are viewed by society poorly, which impacts the meaning they make in their job, and therefore, their burnout. The survey also shows that when the community was surveyed directly, they saw teachers more positively than the teachers viewed themselves, the media playing a key role in teachers' perception of their role.

To help yourself or a teacher you know; stop listening to the media when it comes to education, they make money off your outrage and are factually inaccurate in their portrayal of public opinion of education. Start complimenting the teachers in your life more - they are usually doing an amazing job.

Organisational:

Teachers have an immense administration workload, and that doesn't include their work with children and youth all day. Organisations must find ways to decrease this workload. This is particularly difficult, leadership in schools are burnt out too trying to balance the needs of the many stakeholders in school.

Let's come back to the idea of meaning making: if the school creates a story around teacher efficacy being linked to teacher wellbeing they can begin to work together on the immense workload and find a collaborative stance to it. Organisations must have support available and advertise it to their staff. It may not be known well, but many schools have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's) available to teachers (NT schools may even have EASA as their provider!). If EAP's are available but not advertised, teachers may feel a lack of support in their organisation. This is the hardest.

Individual:

If you have an EAP available to you, the power is now in your hands! Contact your provider to start therapy. Therapy is well-suited to help you discover what your job means to you, and to foster that meaning into everyday action at your job making you an effective teacher as a side effect! It's a win-win. Therapy is also well-suited to help you find the work/life balance that is inherently difficult in this career, keeping your cup full for the work you may be passionate about.

The landscape of burnout in teachers is complex. It is clear that we need to keep our teacher's wellbeing high so they can continue to flourish and, in doing so, can become even better teachers. One way is for society (that means you reading and me writing!) to help our teachers understand what they mean to us, they are passionate people trying to help raise our next generation, perhaps we can let them know. Organisations can make clear the support available and work towards easing the administrative workload. Teachers themselves can take steps to bring back some of their wellbeing, through meaning making ro through a break, to not only get their lives back but to become a more effective teacher.

References:

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership. (2022). Spotlight: Building a Sustainable Teaching Workforce.

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership. (2020). Teaching a Valued Profession.

Hancock, K. J., Shepherd, C., Lawrence, D., Zubrick, S. R., Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. (2013). Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes Every Day Counts. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory).

Lavy, S. & Ayuob, W. (2019). Teachers' Sense of Meaning Associations with Teacher Performance and Graduates' Resilience: A study of Schools Serving Students of Low Socio-Economic Status. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 , 823-823.

Madigan, D. J., & Kim, L. E. (2021). Towards an Understanding of Teacher Attrition: A Meta-Analysis of Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Teachers' Intentions to Quit. Teaching and Teacher Education, 105 , 103-425.

Finding Time for Leisure

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 23:30:00 GMT

It can be hard to find time for leisure

Sometimes it may feel as though we have an endless list of chores or work to get through before we can relax. However, chores never go away, and although the tasks themselves might be important, so is taking care of ourselves.

Finding time to relax is crucial to wellbeing, and actually makes us more productive in the long term. Let's take a look at the benefits and how we might utilise them for more enjoyment and life satisfaction.

Rest and Rejuvenation:

Leisure time provides us with an opportunity to rest and recharge. Engaging in activities that we enjoy like sport, games, reading, hobbies and gardening helps to alleviate stress, reduce burnout, and improve our mental and physical health.

Taking breaks from work or responsibilities allows us to return with renewed energy and focus, ultimately enhancing our productivity.

Enhancing Creativity:

Hobbies can foster creativity and innovation. When we engage in activities purely for enjoyment, our minds are free to wander, explore ideas, and think outside the box.

Whether it's pursuing a hobby, reading a book, or engaging in artistic endeavours, leisure time provides a fertile ground for creative thinking and problem-solving. This can energise and relax us into a state of flow that we may not get a chance to experience during work or domestic labour.

Strengthening Relationships:

Booking in time for yourself offers an opportunity to connect with friends and family and build stronger relationships.

Engaging in team sports, sharing a meal or simply spending quality time together promotes bonding, communication, and understanding. It allows us to create lasting memories and deepen our connections, something we know enhances wellbeing.

Personal Growth and Self-Reflection:

Once we have taken care of ourselves by finding time for enjoyment, we may find space for personal growth and self-reflection. It allows us to explore our interests, passions, and values, leading to a better understanding of ourselves.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance:

Ensuring we make time to enjoy ourselves is the definition of work-life balance. It helps prevent burnout and promotes overall well-being.

By setting aside dedicated time for leisure activities, we create boundaries between work and personal life, ensuring that we prioritise self-care and maintain a sense of equilibrium. A mindset that might sound like "if I just get this done then..." can lead us to burning the candle at both ends and eventually we may burnout.

It is essential to find whatever time we can, even if it is only a few minutes, to relax and rejuvenate.

It isn't always possible to find the time for leisure. Although there are always times where we may simply have no choice but to grind it out, balancing the grind with the rest is key to enjoying life and avoiding stress induced illness.

Sometimes you may have more opportunity that you think to find free time if you can adjust your mindset and priorities. This is where counselling can be beneficial to achieving the work life balance you want. At EASA we offer services that could help provide you with the insight and knowledge needed to take steps towards a fulfilling life. If this has resonated with you, consider booking in with a counsellor.

Stress and the Brain

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:15:00 GMT

What Happens to Our Mind When We Become Heightened?

Stress; we all know what it is and what it feels like, we all know that excessive stress can be detrimental to our long-term mental and physical health. What is somewhat less understood is what is actually happening in our brain when we become stressed, and what impact this has on our ability to think and perform.

The Pre-frontal Cortex

One of the primary areas that is impacted by stress is the pre-frontal cortex:

The pre-frontal cortex is primarily responsible for our higher order cognitive functions; problem solving, decision making, planning, etc. (Arnsten 2009).

This is the part of the brain that we use for our conscious, intentional thinking. To use a metaphor; if the lower parts of the brain and the body were to be considered a horse, the pre-frontal cortex would be the horse-rider. The horse is capable of walking, eating, breathing and all of the basic biological functions independent of of the rider, the horse may even be able to find its way from one place to another reliably, if they have travelled the path many times. However, for the horse to race, work or travel to new locations, a horse-rider must be present to guide the horse. This is how the brain operates; biological functions, basic or repetitive tasks, well-practiced activities and instinctual functions do not require the input of the pre-frontal cortex.

What happens to the pre-frontal cortex when we become stressed?

Our stress response begins in our brain when we are confronted with, or perceive there to be, impending danger. The eyes, ears or both send information to the amygdala, a part of the brain that contributes to emotional processing, the amygdala then sends a signal to the hypothalamus to activate our fight or flight response.

What does this mean for the pre-frontal cortex?

Once our brain activates our fight or flight response our ability to engage our pre-frontal cortex drops to nearly zero. If you imagine a time when you were at your maximum level of panic, it likely felt as if you were taking action or reacting without thinking; in fact, your brain was still operating and sending messages. The feeling of acting without thinking comes from the fact that the pre-frontal cortex is not engaged during a fight or flight response and you are therefore not consciously making decisions or problem solving.

So, what does this mean for stress and performance?

We have discussed what happens to the pre-frontal cortex when the fight or flight response is activated, this is a rarity. Where understanding the connection between stress and the function of our pre-frontal cortex really becomes useful is when we realise that the connection between stress and the function of our pre-frontal cortex is not all or nothing. A small increase in stress corresponds with a small decrease in our ability to engage our pre-frontal cortex, a large increase in stress corresponds with a large decrease in our ability to engage our pre-frontal cortex.

We can notice this impact throughout our day, particularly in a work setting. A disengaged pre-frontal cortex can feel like brain fog or difficulty making decisions, this reduced capacity can also lead to an avoidance of complex tasks. This can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed as the brain is less able to separate out and address our individual stressors and is more likely to view all stressors as an insurmountable mountain.

We can utilise this knowledge to maximise performance in any setting in which we may be impacted by stress. We must first put our effort into noticing when we are heightened, looking out for the symptoms and impacts of stress. Once it has been recognised that stress is heightened, the task becomes taking steps to manage this stress. This can be achieved with a wide range of mindfulness activities depending on context and preference. Some common strategies are:

Breathing techniques
Contacting the present moment
Meditation
Visualisation
Self-acceptance/kindness

Becoming aware of your stress level, the impact this has on the engagement of our pre-frontal cortex, and strategies for reducing stress in the moment allows you to take control of and super-charge your cognitive abilities - give it a try, you may be surprised by the results!

References:

Arnsten AF. Stress Signaling Pathways that Impair Pre-frontal Cortex Structure and Function. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2009 Jun; 10(6):410-22. doi 10.1038/nrn2648. PMID: 19455173; PMCID: PMC2907136, and

'Prefrontal Cortex Damage: Understanding the Effects & Methods for Recovery', Written by Flint Rehab. Medically Reviewed by Elizabeth Denslow, OTR/L. Last Updated on July 7, 2023.

Self Care and Mental Health

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 23:15:00 GMT

Here are 25 quick activities that you can do to improve your mental health in 5 minutes or less:

Take three deep breaths and focus on your breath
Close your eyes and visualise a peaceful place
Write down three things you're grateful for
Stretch your body and do a few quick exercises to relieve muscle tension
Listen to a favourite uplifting song
Practice progressive muscle relaxation by tensing and releasing different muscle groups
Step outside for a breath of fresh air
Engage in a quick mindfulness meditation
Savour a piece of dark chocolate or a healthy snack
Write down any racing thoughts in a journal to clear your mind
Text or call a loved one for a quick chat
Do a quick decluttering task in your immediate environment
Look at some photos that make you happy or bring back fond memories
Use a stress ball or squeeze a soft object to release tension
Take a power nap or close your eyes for a few moments of rest
Watch a funny video or read a funny joke to induce laughter
Practice positive self-affirmations or repeat a mantra
Write down one small goal or intention for the day
Do a quick mini-meditation by focusing on a single work or phrase
Spend a few minutes doing a simple puzzle or brain teaser
Massage your temples or apply gentle pressure to release tension
Drink a glass of water and focus on hydrating your body
Take a moment to engage your senses to look at, listen to, and breathe in your environment
Engage in a short creative activity, such as colouring or doodling
Practice self-compassion by giving yourself a mental hug and acknowledge your efforts

These activities can be combined or adjusted to fit your personal preferences and needs. It's important to find what works best for you and prioritise self-care regularly.

Self-care is important for several reasons:

Overall well-being: taking care of yourself promotes better physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It helps you to maintain balance and a sense of harmony in your life.
Stress reduction: self-care activities help to reduce stress and prevent burnout. When you prioritise self-care, you provide yourself with the necessary tools to manage stress effectively.
Improved mental health: engaging in self-care practices supports your mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It allows you to recharge and rejuvenate your mind.
Increased productivity: when you take care of yourself, you have more energy, focus, and motivation to accomplish tasks. Self-care helps to enhance productivity and efficiency in various aspects of life.
Enhanced physical health: self-care involves activities such as exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient rest, which contribute to better physical health. Prioritising self-care can improve your immune system, increase energy levels, and prevent illness.
Better relationships: when you prioritise self-care, you are better equipped to build and maintain healthy relationships. By taking care of yourself, you can give more to others and create deeper connections.
Improved self-esteem: engaging in self-care activities and treating yourself with kindness and respect boosts self-esteem. It helps you value yourself and your needs, leading to a more positive self-image.
Boundaries and self-awareness: self-care encourages you to set boundaries and become more self-aware. You learn to recognise your limits, say no when necessary, and prioritise what truly matters to you.
Prevention of emotional exhaustion: engaging in self-care regularly helps to prevent emotional exhaustion by providing you with the necessary tools to recharge and replenish your emotional reserves.
Modelling healthy behaviour: by practicing self-care, you set an example for others, showing them the importance of prioritising their own well-being,

Remember, self-care is not selfish; it is essential for maintaining a healthy and balanced life. It allows you to be your best self and better serve others.

Caring for your mental health is incredibly important.

Mental health encompasses your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how you think, feel and act, and plays a significant role in your overall quality of life.

Here are a few reasons why caring for your mental health is crucial:

Overall well-being: good mental health is essential for your overall well-being and happiness. It contributes to you ability to cope with stress, maintain positive relationships, and handle the challenges that life throws at you.
Productivity and success: when your mental health is well cared for, you're more likely to be productive and successful in various areas of your life. It allows you to focus, think clearly, and make sound decisions.
Physical health: mental health and physical health are interconnected. Poor mental health can contribute to physical problems such as sleep disturbances, weakened immune system, and increased risk of chronic illnesses. Taking care of your mental health promotes better physical health.
Relationships and social connections: your mental health affects your relationships with others. When you prioritise you mental health, you can foster healthy and fulfilling relationships, communicate effectively, and provide support to your loved ones.
Self-esteem and self-confidence: good mental health plays a vital role in building self-esteem and self-confidence. It helps you develop a positive self-image, embrace your strengths, and believe in your abilities.
Resilience and coping skills: caring for your mental health equips you with the tools to build resilience and cope with life's challenges. It enhances your ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and handle stress in a healthy manner.
Prevention and early intervention: taking care of your mental health can help prevent the development of mental health conditions or identify them early on. Engaging in self-care activities and seeking support when needed can reduce the risk and severity of mental health issues.
Personal fulfillment and enjoyment: caring for your mental health allows you to experience personal fulfillment and enjoy life to the fullest. It helps you engage in activities you love, and find meaning and purpose.

Remember, just like physical health, mental health requires ongoing attention and care. Prioritising your mental health is not selfish; it is and essential part of living a happy, fulfilling and balanced life.

The Importance of Play

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 06:35:53 GMT

Play has been around since humans first existed. So why do we stop playing?

There are many ways humans play.

Children commonly play, beginning with simple object permanence games such as 'peek-a-boo' and progressing into pretend play roles like 'mummy' and 'daddy' games before settling into adulthood with our preferred choice of video games, board games, sport, or something else. Some of this progression is developmental and some of it cultural, but we truly never stop playing as humans.

There are many skills that play facilitates such as narrative development, emotional expression, perspective-taking, insight, problem solving, present moment awareness, divergent thinking, and broad associations. These skills that are necessary for play are also necessary for psychological health. It could be argued that playing, something almost everyone has done instinctively since they were young, is a tool readily available to help regain some skills we may have forgotten in our work-focused life.

So how do we play when we are busy, serious adults?

First, we must recognise its importance.

Play can help move people into what is known as the 'social engagement system', a neural network that promotes creativity, flexible thinking, social activity and it feels safe. In this state, debriefing can occur and people can ' play out' solutions or express emotions freely. Play therapy is a legitimate form of therapy, commonly used for children, that works in healing people not because play therapy is different to play, but because play is therapy. Having said that, children often fight when they play, showing us that the feeling of safety is not guaranteed in all forms of play, there must be clear boundaries (something that play and games often come with).

Second, if we believe it to be essential, we must make time for it.

This can be the hard part for someone with a lot on their plate. Finding motivators or cues to move into play could be helpful. Use playful people around you to remind you to play; dogs, cats, rabbits and (of course!) children are great ways to engage a playful side. Reminding ourselves that our sporting commitments are an opportunity to play is also helpful. It can be as simple as a calendar reminder to play.

Play can be a powerful tool for all ages and abilities because the possibilities are endless.

It is also something almost everyone has access to, and with such a wide range of psychological skills getting flexed in the process! Engaging the social engagement system can be hard in a busy life, but returning to a childish memory and finding ways to play is a resource most people have in their memory bank.

Try it and see if you feel a difference.

References

Russ, S. W. (2014). Cognitive processes in pretend play and creativity. In Pretend Play in Childhood . American Psychological Association

Thomas, D. A., & Morris, M. H. (2020). Creative play therapy with adolescents and adults: moving from helping to healing . Routledge.

Caring for your Mental Health

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 02:39:14 GMT

Caring for your mental health is incredibly important.

Mental health encompasses your emotional, psychological, and social well-being .

It affects how you think, feel, and act , and plays a significant role in your overall quality of life.

Here are a few reasons why caring for your mental health is crucial:

1. Overall well-being: good mental health is essential for your overall well-being and happiness. It contributes to your ability to cope with stress, maintain positive relationships, and handle the challenges that life throws at you.

2. Productivity and success: when your mental health is well cared for, you’re more likely to be productive and successful in various areas of your life. It allows you to focus, think clearly, and make sound decisions.

3. Physical health: mental health and physical health are interconnected. Poor mental health can contribute to physical problems such as sleep disturbances, weakened immune system, and increased risk of chronic illnesses. Taking care of your mental health promotes better physical health.

4. Relationships and social connections : your mental health affects your relationships with others. When you prioritise your mental health, you can foster healthy and fulfilling relationships, communicate effectively, and provide support to your loved ones.

5. Self-esteem and self-confidence: good mental health plays a vital role in building self-esteem and self-confidence. It helps you develop a positive self-image, embrace your strengths, and believe in your abilities.

6. Resilience and coping skills: caring for your mental health equips you with the tools to build resilience and cope with life’s challenges. It enhances your ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and handle stress in a healthy manner.

7. Prevention and early intervention: taking care of your mental health can help prevent the development of mental health conditions or identify them early on. Engaging in self-care activities and seeking support when needed can reduce the risk and severity of mental health issues.

8. Personal fulfillment and enjoyment: caring for your mental health allows you to experience personal fulfillment and enjoy life to the fullest. It helps you engage in activities you love and find meaning and purpose.

Remember , just like physical health, mental health requires ongoing attention and care.

Prioritising your mental health is not selfish; it is an essential part of living a happy, fulfilling, and balanced life.

Victims of crime

Sat, 27 May 2023 01:05:53 GMT

“I haven’t felt safe since…”

Here at EASA , we are often informed of and witness to the adverse effects that crime can have on individuals.

Recounts of home invasions and assaults are most common, resulting in people feeling exceedingly unsafe.

Generally, the negative impacts of a crime reduce within several weeks as the brain processes the memory and the associated cognitions/emotions.

For many individuals, life returns to normal (albeit with knowledge gained from the event).

However, being a victim of crime can have significant and varied effects on individuals, both in the short term and long term. Here are some ways being a victim of crime can affect you:

Physical injuries

Depending on the nature of the crime, victims may experience physical injuries or health issues resulting from the incident. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe physical trauma.

Emotional and psychological impact

Victims of crime often experience a wide range of emotional and psychological responses, including fear, anxiety, anger, shock, guilt, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These can significantly impact their overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Trust and safety concerns

Being victimised can shatter a person’s sense of safety and trust in others. It may lead to heightened vigilance, fear of future victimisation, and difficulty trusting new people or situations.

Impact on daily life

Crime can disrupt various aspects of a person’s life. Victims may experience difficulties in sleeping, concentrating, or performing everyday tasks. They might also face challenges in work, relationships, and overall functioning.

Financial burden

Victims of crime may encounter financial consequences, such as medical expenses, property damage, or loss of income due to the aftermath of the crime. The financial burden can add to the stress and challenges they face.

Social and relational impact

Victims may experience social isolation, strained relationships, or changes in their social dynamics. They may feel disconnected or struggle to relate to others who have not experienced similar trauma.

Loss of sense of control

Being victimised can result in a loss of control over one’s life and circumstances. This loss can lead to feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability, and a diminished sense of self-worth.

Impact on future behavior

Some victims may develop avoidance behaviours, such as avoiding certain places or activities associated with the crime. They may also become hypervigilant or adopt self-protective strategies to minimise future risks.

It is important to note that the impact of crime can vary from person to person, and individuals may respond differently based on their resilience, support systems, and personal circumstances.

Seeking professional help, such as therapy or counselling, can be beneficial in coping with the effects of being a victim of crime, and EASA can help.

Our clinical team, which includes Psychologists, Accredited Counsellors, and Social Workers, are trained to treat the aforementioned symptoms and are committed to improving their client’s psychological wellbeing. When you call, simply ask our administration team to see a trauma professional.

Given that EASA is currently contracted with over 150 organisations across the Northern Territory, your recovery may be covered by your Employee Assistance Program.

Alternatively, you can attain a Mental Health Care Plan (or Medicare Referral) from your GP, which reduces cost.

EASA practices in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, and Gove.

We offer online or phone counselling, evening appointments, and are available on Saturdays so you can access support wherever and whenever you require. Call us today on 08 8941 1752

Are you breathing too fast?

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 00:58:24 GMT

Why Are We Breathing Faster?

The above bar chart tells a story of our increasing breathing rate. Today, our “normal” breathing rate, depending on who you quote, can be up to 20 breaths

per minute.

Why this increase?

Back in the 20’s and 30’s, life was very different. One would read the newspaper once with no constant “news update” on phones. To find out information, one would need to call someone (and pay for the phone call) or go to the library to find the answer. There was no Google then. If one wanted to write to a friend, one would have to physically write the letter, then go to the post office to post it. To find out what friends and family members are doing, one would receive letters that would come once a day or less.

Your Nervous System

As we can see, we are living in a faster-paced world. What this does to our Autonomic Nervous System, or ANS (which is totally unconscious) is that we are constantly activating the Fight or Flight branch of our ANS, the Sympathetic Nervous System, or SNS, while the Rest and Digest branch of our ANS, the Parasympathetic Nervous System, or PNS, is not activated as much.

If you liken the SNS to the accelerator, then the PNS is the brake. Scientists say that the most efficient way to apply this brake is through functional breathing. In fact, the healthiest breathing rate is only 6 breaths per minute .

This is what is called " Cardiac Coherence Breathing" .

Scientists find that at around 6 breaths per minute, not only do you calm your nervous system, it will also improve both your physical and mental health.

Unfortunately, breathing teachings are riddled with misinformation that is not based on science, including the common “in with the nose and out with the mouth”. Because many people today have dysfunctional breathing, their breathing first needs to be retrained before disciplines like mindfulness can be of benefit. This is why some people simply cannot practice mindfulness.

It is now known that breathing dysfunction is often the culprit for anxiety problems and that by retraining your breathing, such as with the Buteyko technique, you can overcome anxieties.

You can download the Buteyko app and start training.

Or call EASA and ask for a breathing coach to get you on the right path for bettering your physical and mental health.

(Buteyko, 2006)

(Rakhimov, 2021); The Breathing Cure by Patrick McKeown

Help for your loved pet

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 01:27:20 GMT

The use of Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) to soothe and calm our furry friends.

If you suffer from the symptoms of anxiety, you might have noticed that you are not alone .

Many pet owners tell stories of their dog or cat suffering during storms or when people are letting off fireworks in the neighbourhood. My own dog hates the vet, and she would shake violently sitting in the waiting room, crouched either under my chair or standing at the door like an immoveable rock.

This was in the past thanks to some experimentation with Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), aka Butterfly Hugs .

Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) is one of the key features of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a type of exposure therapy primarily used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias, both of which include symptoms of anxiety.

BLS refers to the use of stimulus that is presented to activate both sides of the body and brain. During EMDR therapy clients often report that they notice the physiological symptoms of anxiety and distress reduce while using BLS. As the body relaxes the BLS allows the brain to stay in the present moment (where you notice that you are safe) while also accessing past memories of feeling unsafe.

The traditional form of bilateral stimulation used in EMDR is eye movement from left to right and repeated for approximately 30 seconds. Other effective forms of tactile BLS include use of tapping the body with your hands or using pulsars or vibration.

When working with children, the EMDR therapist might include walking, drumming, throwing a ball from one to another or The Butterfly Hug. This entails crossing your arms across your chest and tapping each shoulder, right and then left, repeatedly, with gentle taps, just like butterfly wings flapping. You tap your shoulders for about 30 seconds to a minute and then repeat or keep tapping until you feel the physical symptoms such as a tight chest or stomach reduce. You can repeat short bursts of tapping or do it while you notice a wave of feeling. As you tap you focus on your breath and observe the feelings of your body rise and fall.

So, how can this Bilateral Stimulation help your anxious dog or cat?

Firstly, it’s important to know that EMDR therapy is an evidence-based therapy and research has shown that there are no ill effects from the use of BLS. Remember, BLS is only one tool of EMDR and EMDR must only be administered by a trained practitioner. However, Butterfly Hugs have been taught throughout schools and counselling sessions to teach children to soothe and calm themselves.

You may have already noticed that whenever you feel stressed and you go for a walk or a jog, you end up feeling much less stressed when you finish.

This is because bilateral stimulation caused by the pounding of your feet on the pavement helped to activate both sides of your brain and this action helped you to process and resolve your current stressors. This is also true of activities such as swimming or dancing. BLS has no side effects, only the potential to calm your body and allow your brain to notice it is actually safe in the present moment and gives you time to resolve your worry.

When it comes to using BLS with your pet, then they need some help.

My dog at the vet, I would simply sit her in front of me and then gently tap her shoulders.

In the beginning it took several minutes but eventually I could feel her body relax.

During subsequent visits I noticed that I only had to do the BLS for short periods and now I don’t need to use it at all. It’s only a matter of experimentation.

Butterfly hugs might be a bit harder on your pet parrot or rat, but the only limitation is your own imagination.

Remember, walking and jogging are effective for reducing feelings of anxiety, so taking them for a walk might also be helpful.

References

Parnell, L. (2008). Tapping in: A step-by-step guide to activating your healing resources through bilateral stimulation.

Parnell, L. (2013). Attachment-focused EMDR: Healing relational trauma. W.W. Norton & Company.

Shapiro, F. (2007). Handbook of EMDR and family therapy processes. John Wiley & Sons.

Mindfulness

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 23:30:32 GMT

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom”

Viktor Frankl

Want a greater sense of control and choice in your life? Practice mindfulness

If anything has disrupted our sense of control and choice, “COVID”, “the new normal”, and returning to “the old, new normal” easily tops the list. It has revealed to many of us the choices we, others, and even systems around us make to cope with challenges and changes. For some of us, the last few years have given us new vigour and energy to make tough decisions that have helped us to live a life closer to our values and aspirations. For others, they have been left feeling a lot of choices they previously had have been taken from them.

All of these feelings, experiences and reactions are completely valid, normal and human!

Cut yourself some slack if your response hasn’t been the one you would like to have. Acceptance is the first step to change.

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself, just as I am, then I can change.” – Carl Rogers, emphasis added

But one thing that is within our choice and control, is how we create more opportunities for choice. Covey’s model of the Circle of Control (1989; 2004) is a useful way to understand what we can control and how that affects our choices.

Using this model, we can separate all things into our experiences into 3 circles:

Things outside of your control - i.e. weather, traffic jams, the global economy

Things you can influence, -i.e. your conversations, the impact of the behaviour of others on yourself.

Things you can control

i.e. your own behaviour, how you choose to react, how you practice self-care, what thoughts and values we use to inform your actions, whether or not you practice mindfulness.

Often when we’re struggling with the choice and feel stuck or overwhelmed it is because we’re focusing too much on what we can’t control and directing our energy and effort there instead of what we can control.

One of the things we can change that helps us to create greater choice and control is mindfulness .

To put it simply,

Choosing to practice mindfulness à creates more mindfulness à promotes greater control of our attention and choices à leads to making choices that get you closer to the kind of life you want to live.

Is this true? Well, the science seems to back this up:

Mindfulness training has been shown to effectively improve attention, support habit change, improve mental health, and even improve relapse prevention for notoriously difficult-to-change habits to change such as substance misuse (Schuman-Olivier et al., 2020).

These changes are fundamentally rewired into our brains with changes to areas such as our default mode network, prefrontal cortex and amygdala, areas key to attention, emotional regulation, learning, habit formation and change (Tang et al., 2015). These changes have an accumulative effect, the more we use it, the easier it is to be mindful and exercise more control over our choices the next time.

So, how can I improve my mindfulness?

Meditation is widely regarded as a means to learn mindfulness, which is not surprising as it does help. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of mediation and the different types you can practice, check out our blog https://www.easa.org.au/benefits-of-meditation .

Mindfulness is more than meditation and we can practice mindfulness in small ways every day.

Simply taking the time to notice what you notice is mindfulness. Asking yourself what you are noticing at different times during your day for 30 secs a day is a great start.

Connecting with your senses, noticing what you see, hear, feel, smell, taste, and getting curious about these is mindfulness in the moment. The easiest way to pick this up as a habit is to pair it with something you already do a lot of.

For example, whenever you have a drink of your coffee or drink bottle, this can become your new mindfulness check-in. As you drink notice how the cup or bottle feels in that moment, what are you thinking as you take that sip, are your thoughts in the present or maybe in the past or future, what can you hear around you.

Checking in like this example helps us to become present and with that present awareness comes more choice. Choosing what you’re going to do in that moment and how you’re going to step into the next one. Over time, being mindful becomes more and more automatic, and becomes our default. This means many of our automatic responses and habits can be more easily disrupted and changed if we want to change.

So next time you start lamenting about making better choices, or changing habits Remember: it will be helpful to first ask yourself,

“How can I be more mindful? ”.

Mindfulness will help you create space for change.

References

Covey, S. R. (2004). The 7 habits of highly effective people. (Rev. ed.). Simon & Schuster.

Schuman-Olivier, Z., Trombka, M., Lovas, D. A., Brewer, J. A., Vago, D. R., Gawande, R., Dunne, J. P., Lazar, S. W., Loucks, E. B., & Fulwiler, C. (2020). Mindfulness and Behavior Change. Harvard review of psychiatry, 28(6), 371–394. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000277

Tang, YY., Hölzel, B. & Posner, M. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16, 213–225 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916

Parents returning to work

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 06:07:41 GMT

Becoming a mother is simultaneously the hardest and most rewarding thing that I have ever done.

Being a parent changes who you are on a fundamental level

This is not just what your day-to-day looks like, but also your values and goals for the future.

Everything shifts, from planning what to do on holidays (and what time flights are!) , to deciding where you will live for the next 20-odd years.

It’s a lot to think about, whilst dealing with the emotions and hormones, stress, and, let’s be honest, lack of sleep.

Not to mention the added bonus of returning to work, if you choose to.

It can be a difficult decision:

irreplaceable time with your little one (parental guilt, anyone?), or paying the mortgage?

It’s difficult to know where to even start

The biggest difference that I found when I came back to work was the way in which my brain was now wired.

Becoming a parent literally changes your neural networks to accommodate for your shifting priorities, no matter your gender, so learning to work with what you now have can be a very steep learning curve.

Things you thought you knew have changed or are gone and those neural pathways need to be exercised to help you remember things, accommodate change, and get back some semblance of normalcy at work.

Which brings me to another point. Normalcy

What that looks like will be different for everyone, because all people (and babies) are different.

There is no “right” way to go back to work after a baby, because your individual logistics, schedule, emotions and identity as a person and now a parent will be a far cry from anything you’ve dealt with before.

The most important thing is to not be hard on yourself.

Whatever emotions you feel are ok, and natural.

Logistically, however, things are a bit more complicated.

There’s a whole new routine to be figured out, including troubleshooting for those parts that inevitably don’t go according to plan – things rarely do when there’s a whole other new person involved, who doesn’t understand yet what a schedule or the time on the clock means!

So, practice. Do a few tests runs of what your mornings will look like prior to your first day back.

It’s important not just to learn how long everything will take and what order to do things in, but also to get your little one used to wherever they will be when you’re at work.

Family?

Daycare?

Having the tiny human acclimatised to these new people, locations and situations can work wonders for when you’ve suddenly got a time limit, so both you and they can feel safe and secure where they are, when you inevitably have to leave them there.

Part of this security for you, as well, is updates.

Especially in those first few days or weeks, when your anxiety will be high.

What sorts of updates do you need to feel comfortable?

A couple of photos a day?

A single email updates?

Check-in texts or calls?

Or will you be happy to see how it went at the end of the day?

Understanding yourself and your comfort level will help determine what you need to be able to set your mind at ease, so that you can be focused at work, but also able to take care of yourself as an individual and an adult.

Be honest with yourself, too, about what you can and cannot do.

Not just with regards to your child, but with your work and workload.

Do you need more work? Less?

A slightly different role?

Seeking support from others who have been in your situation, but also from your manager and workplace, will help you to be the best version of yourself, both at work and at home.

The most important thing, though, is to be patient.

As the days and weeks progress, routines will get easier or may even change slightly, and you and your family will adjust to your new version of normal.

It does get easier.

Men and Mental Health: We Need to Talk

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 06:23:12 GMT

There is a growing awareness throughout Australian society of the need to address men’s mental health, however there is still much work to be done.

Despite men and women experiencing mental health issues at similar rates (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018), male suicides account for three quarters of all recorded suicides (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021). This leaves us with the question; why are men in Australia disproportionality impacted by suicide?

Seeking Support

It is widely accepted that men are not great at talking about their problems or looking to others for support, however this is not necessarily the case.

Social support can be split in to two basic categories; emotional support and instrumental support (Turner, Turner, & Beardall Hale, 2014). Emotional support includes the exchange of empathy and emotional sustenance, whereas instrumental support focusses on finding practical solutions and seeking tangible support from others. Research has shown that women are more likely to seek emotional support and men are more likely to seek instrumental support (Fiori & Denckla, 2012).

So while men may not be reaching out for emotional support or having emotional conversations, they do want to feel better, they are motivated to make change. This difference in the kind of support sought by men and women may go some way to explaining why men have more difficulty coping with mental health issues and have a higher rate of suicide.

Masculinity and Social Roles

Why aren’t men accessing emotional support?

While society continues to move forward and evolve, so too does our understanding of gender roles and their potential harm. Despite this evolution their still remains within society a strong adherence to traditional understandings of masculinity and the role of men;

Men are meant to be strong, dominant and in control; many view emotions such as anxiety, sadness and loneliness as weakness. To seek help for these ‘weak’ emotions, it to admit to being weak themselves.

What can you do to support the men that you care about?

1. Lead by example

While many men may not respond well to being told to seek help from a professional or open up about their mental and emotional issues, when they see other people, in particular other men, benefiting from mental health support they may be encouraged to follow suit.

2. The Messenger is Key

Many men may struggle to accept that needing support is not a sign of weakness, a great antidote to this is a man that they respect that is open and honest about their own mental health struggles. Whether you are modelling this yourself, referring to someone else in their life or even using a public figure that they hold in high regard as an example, this can be a powerful tool to open the door to taking the first step for the men in your life.

3. Be Vulnerable

Rather than presenting the conversation about mental health as an attempt to help them, the man in your life may find it easier to engage in a conversation that is framed around your own vulnerability. You could begin the conversation with an admission of your own emotional concerns, for example; “I’m scared that you don’t seem to be doing well and it makes me sad to see you struggling”. Many people, men included, find it easier to help others rather than themselves and may find it easier to begin a difficult emotional conversation if they are given the opportunity to support someone else.

4. Be persistent (and patient)

It may not be easy to encourage a man to take the first step, you may need to use a combination of these tactics a number of times before he is willing to engage. Remember, he wants to get better and while he may be annoyed by your persistence, it is worth it.

Resources

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/men

https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/supporting-yourself/support-for/men

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/mens-health

https://mensline.org.au/changingforgood/what-is-changing-for-good/

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/headgear/

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021. Causes of Death, Australia. Statistics on the number of deaths, by sex, selected age groups, and cause of death classified to the International Classification of Diseases.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018. National Health Survey First results [Review of National Health Survey First results].

Fiori, K. L., and Denckla, C. A. (2012). Social support and mental health in middle-aged men and women: A multidimensional approach. Journal of Aging and Health, 24(3), 407–438

Turner, R. J., Turner, J. B., & Hale, W. B. (2014). Social relationships and social support. In Sociology of mental health (pp. 1-20). Springer, Cham.

Looking After Your Mental Health During COVID-19

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 23:48:33 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live. To help keep us safe, it is likely that our lives will be different for a while.

Working from home, not seeing friends and family regularly, and being uncertain of the future can take a toll. Some common consequences of disease outbreaks in clude anxiety and panic, depression, anger, confusion, and financial stress. People with pre-existing anxiety disorders, health anxiety (i.e. those who worry excessively about having or contracting illnesses), and other mental health disorders (e.g. depression, and post-traumatic stress) are at risk of experiencing higher anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure below shows how Australians (with and without prior mental health diagnoses) rated their mental health during COVID-19.

Being aware of how you’re feeling and knowing what you can do to look after your mental wellbeing is an important part of staying healthy during this challenging time.

Here are some things you can do to look after your mental health during COVID-19...

Look after your physical health. Exercising and eating well help us stay physically and mentally healthy by reducing the risk of health conditions like stroke and heart disease, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sleep.

Get a good night’s sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of staying healthy. If you’re finding it hard to get to sleep, try implementing some sleep hygiene .

Stay connected. Maintaining social connections is important to feeling safe and well. Technology can help us keep in touch with family and friends even when we're distanced physically, so reach out with video, phone calls and online chats.

Stay focused on the here and now. Take each day step by step. Try to focus on the here and now - not the past and not the future. Live in the moment and take one day at a time.

Cut down or stop the behaviours that are fuelling your anxiety. N o tice when your anxiety increases. If it’s related to certain things you are doing (like excessive social media engagement, panic buying, or talking about your concerns with particular people) then limit or stop these.

Remember to breathe. When you feel overwhelmed take a few slow, deep breaths to help you calm down. If there are other things that help you relax (e.g. walking, painting, reading or listening to music) you could try these too.

If you feel like you are not coping, seek professional advice. After trying these tips, if you’re still feeling overwhelmed you might want to think about getting in touch with a mental health professional. It’s okay to ask for help and there are a lot of options so you can choose what suits you best.

Contacts & Resources

Lifeline (24/7 service)

P: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue (24/7 service)

P: 1300 224 636

Sleep Foundation Sleep Hygiene

Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

References

Bults, M., Beaujean, D., Richardus, J., & Voeten, H. (2015). Perceptions and behavioural responses of the general public during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic: A systematic review. Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 9(2), 207-19.

Newby, J., O’Moore, K., Tang, S., Christensen, H., & Faase, K. (2020). Acute mental health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. PLOS One, 15(7), 1-21.

GOOD LEADERS SPEAK WELL, GREAT LEADERS LISTEN

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 00:30:02 GMT

In a previous life I was responsible for social media engagement in a leadership strategy.

Many hours were spent finding the right quote, developing a clever meme or writing a snappy and engaging blog. The most popular post ever though was surprisingly simple. It said ‘great leaders listen’ and it received hundreds of likes and shares on Facebook. Why? Because many of us at work feel that we aren’t being heard.

Of course, listening is important for all of us, not just leaders. Our co-workers, families and friends all want to be heard and we want people to listen to us.

The wise Simon Sinek says ‘Listening is active. At its most basic level, it’s about focus and paying attention’ .

Active listening is one of the most useful things you can to do develop strong relationships and encourage open communication within your teams.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind this year to listen better

1. Show interest – be aware of your body language, be aware of your non-verbal communication

2. Minimise distractions – turn your phone off, leave the office, close your door

3. Be patient – no interrupting, concentrate on understanding the story not on your next response

4. Stay with the flow of the person , use open questions rather than providing your own stories. Open questions start with who, what, why, when

5. Let the person know that you’re listening by providing non-verbal and verbal prompts

6. Keep an open mind – suspend judgements, labelling and evaluating until you’re heard the whole story

7. Jot down a few notes if you need to and it’s appropriate, for example if the conversation is a regular catch up

8. Analyse and reflect back to and ask questions to check understanding

9. Listen to the words being said and the emotion being given

10. Pay attention to the verbal and the non-verbal information – are the messages consistent? Ask questions to check understanding, for example, I’m noticing when you say that…’

Lastly a word of warning from Andy Stanley...

"Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say."

Ask us about one of our communication, mindfulness or leadership programs or make a time for some individual coaching if you would like to build your listening skills and foster better communication and engagement within your team.

Call us on (08) 8941 5661 or email corp@corp.org.au for further information about our workshops.

How Nutrition Impacts the Brain and Mental Health

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 00:11:37 GMT

Brain function and mental health might not be the first thing you consider when you think about the food and drinks you put into your body, but like an expensive car, our brains requires premium fuel to function at its best.

To feel more emotionally balanced and foster positivity through our nutritional choices, we need to eat foods that give us energy, elicit joy, and fuel our bodies. Eating high-quality foods that contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants will nourish the brain, whilst a diet high in processed foods and refined sugars can impair brain function and worsen mental health symptoms.

Below are some foods that have been found to improve brain function and mental health (Adan et al., 2019; Bentson, 2017).

References
Adan, R., van der Beek, E., Buitelaar, J., Cryan, J., Hebebrand, J., Higgs, S., Schellekens, H., & Dickson, L. (2019). Nutritional psychiatry: Towards improving mental health by what you eat. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(12), 1321-1332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.10.011

Arab, L., Guo, R., Elashoff, D. (2019). Lower depression scores among walnut consumers in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Nutrients, 11(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020275

Bentson, H. (2017). Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, brain function and mental health. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 28(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/16512235.2017.1281916

Brookie, K., Best, G., & Connor, T. (2018). Intake of raw fruits and vegetables is associated with better mental health than intake of processed fruits and vegetables. Frontiers in Psychology: Eating Behaviours, 9, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00487

Dutta, S., Roy, S., & Roy, S. (2020). Functional foods for mental health promotion. Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, 25(2), 72-79. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmgims.jmgims_15_20

Field, D., Williams, C., Butler, L. (2011). Consumption of cocoa flavanols results in an acute improvement in visual and cognitive functions. Physiological Behaviour, 103, 255-260. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.02.013

Latif, R., Mumtaz, S., Alsheikh, M., Chathoth, S., Naimi, S. (2020). Effects of turmeric on cardiovascular risk Factors, mental health, and serum homocysteine in overweight, obese females. Alternate Therapies in Health and Medicine, 27(1), 114-119. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32088675/

Macht, M., Dettmer, D. (2006) Everyday mood and emotions after eating a chocolate bar or an apple. Appetite, 46(3), 332-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2006.01.014

Creating Hope Through Action

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:06:05 GMT

10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) and provides an opportunity for people across the globe to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. This year the International Association for Suicide Prevention has chosen a new theme for WSPD - Creating Hope Through Action .

This theme aims to empower people to engage with this complex subject and create a movement of preventative action.

This is imperative because in Australia:

Nine individuals die every day by suicide
75% of those who take their own life are male
Over 65,000 individuals attempt suicide each year
For each life lost to suicide, the impact is felt by up to 135 people - including family members, friends, work colleagues and first responders

If you are feeling hopeless and experiencing suicidal thoughts, please remember:

You are not alone. Many others have gone through what you are going through and are alive today
It’s okay to talk about suicide. Inform a trusted family member, friend, or colleague about how you feel. If you practice a religion, talk to a trusted member of your religious community
There are people that can help you. Talk to a professional, such as a doctor or mental health practitioner
Reach out. If you think you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, contact emergency services or a crisis hotline (see below)

If you know someone that may be feeling hopeless and experiencing suicidal thoughts, please take note of the following:

Be aware of the signs

These include threats to kill oneself, statements such as “no one will miss me when I’m gone”, attempts to access lethal means (i.e., firearms, medication, pesticides), saying goodbye, giving away possessions, or writing a will.

Let them know you’re there to listen

F i nd an appropriate time and a quiet place to talk about suicide with the person you are worried about.

Encourage them to seek help

This should be from a professional, such as a doctor or mental health practitioner. Offer to accompany them to an appointment.

Limit their means

I f the person you are worried about lives with you, ensure that he or she does not have access to means of self-harm.

Reach out

If you think the person is in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Seek professional help from emergency services or a crisis hotline (listed below).

There are several things you can do to get involved with World Suicide Prevention Day:

Learn more about the importance of suicide prevention by taking part in a conference or tra ining (see link below)
Participate in cycle around the globe which is hosted by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (see link below)
Light a candle to demonstrate support for suicide prevention, to remember a lost loved one, and for the survivors of suicide Individuals all over the world light a candle at 8pm on 10 September

Contacts & Resources

Lifeline (24/7 service)

P: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue (24/7 service)

P: 1300 224 636

Lifeline Trainings

Top End Suicide Intervention and Awareness Trainings
International Association for Suicide Prevention: Cycle Around the Globe

If life is in danger call 000

World Sexual Health Day

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 01:25:27 GMT

4 September 2021 is World Sexual Health Day, which brings greater awareness of sexual health, celebrates sexuality and promotes sexual rights.

What exactly is sexual health? Sexual health involves the state of physical, mental, and social well-being regarding sexuality, and it isn’t just about relationships, it includes medical issues, education, and sexual behaviour. A major part of being sexually healthy is having a respectful attitude toward sexuality and sexual rights.

Some sexual rights include:

Equality and non-discrimination
Autonomy and bodily integrity
Being free from all forms of violence and coercion
Access to high quality sexual health care
Privacy
Access to accurate information
Education
Deciding to have children and how many to have
Access to justice

Thus, for sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual health of all persons must be respected, protected & fulfilled.

Each year, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), who manages World Sexual Health Day, selects a different theme. In 2020, the theme was “ Sexual Pleasure in Times of COVID-19 ". This year, the World Sexual Health Day theme is...

" Turn it on: Sexual Health in a Digital World ”

There are several things you can do to get involved with World Sexual Health Day.

Firstly, you can learn more about the importance of sexual health by taking part in a conference or listening to a podcast that discusses sexual health. Secondly, if you have children, and they are the appropriate age, you can talk to them about the importance of safe sex and respecting sexual rights.

Finally , when sharing on social media, be sure to use #WorldSexualHealthDay .

Resources

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/09/04/default-calendar/world-sexual-health-day

https://worldsexualhealth.net/world-sexual-health-day

https://www.fpv.org.au/blog/sexual-pleasure-in-the-time-of-covid-19-world-sexual-health-day

https://www.diamundialsaludsexual.org/en/home

https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/celebrating-sexual-health-september

http://www.srhm.org/news/world-sexual-health-day

https://wellness.utk.edu/world-sexual-health-day

Professional Isolation

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:11:36 GMT

Keep Connected – Keep Well

Working in a remote community is an exciting and rewarding experience that provides opportunity to develop practice and learn about the distinct culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Many staff thrive in this environment however there can be challenges with cultural misunderstandings, challenges managing professional boundaries as well as the risk of professional and personal isolation.

Experiencing isolation in a work context may be

Geographic (distance from)
Social (lack of contact with)
Ideological (outcast from)

Geographic isolation though does not necessarily correlate with professional isolation. Professional isolation is about a lack of engagement with professional peers. People who are geographically isolated in their work but who are well connected with contacts and professional networks can remain strong in their professional identity and practice.

People experiencing professional isolation may experience a sense of disconnection from their professional identity and current practice. They may feel alone, as though they have no one to turn to in regard to challenging issues or to bounce off ideas.

The team at EASA Darwin support many people working in remote areas every year. This may be following a traumatic incident, due to interpersonal conflict, stress or burnout. Maintaining professional connections while doing this important and valuable work can support people to keep well during challenging times. It also provides a sounding board to share ideas and keep up to date with current practice.

To maintain professional connections while doing geographically isolated work we recommend:

Joining a professional association and taking advantage of their offerings and support.
Making space and time to connect with other professionals in the community, they may not be in the same sector but they are likely to share similar challenges and may have new and helpful ideas.
Professional practice supervision – is may be accessed over the phone or through webinar platforms.
A peer mentor relationship – someone who can be called upon as a sounding board or for a gentle push in the right direction. Peer mentors work out together the best engagement strategy and it could be as simple as using instant messenger to connect regularly.
Regular professional development – this could be through access to live webinars, Linkedin Learning, Ted Talks or pod casts. Learning can be enhanced by engaging in discussions with mentors or through online professional conversation groups.

CORP Workplace Solutions offers public workshops delivered face to face and via webinars every year. These public workshops cover a range of topics such as Resilience, Mindfulness and Managing Stress, Understand and Respond to Burnout. Visit the CORP Public Workshops here to view the remaining topics for this year. To find out more about how CORP can support workplaces and employees, please contact us directly on the belo w.

Preventing Conflict

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 03:45:24 GMT

When conflict is not addressed, it can lead to greater issues such as grievances or mediation. Here’s some simple tips on how to prevent these situations from arising.

The Cycle of Communication

Our communication in the workplace is a never-ending, revolving cycle of communication. If you walk into a room and are greeted by a person with a smile on their face, instantly, you know you are welcomed in that space. If you reciprocate with a smile, that person knows you are friendly and not a threat. They greet you. You are modifying your behaviour, based on how someone has behaved with you, and your interpretation of the signals. They, in return, are modifying their behaviour, based on how they interpret your signals.

Let’s say, you walk into the room and you don't have a smile on your face. The person in the room may assume that you are either unhappy or unfriendly. They may shy away or disregard you. You in turn, don’t feel acknowledge and assume you’re not welcome in that space, so you ignore the other person. They find you rude and disrespectful for ignoring them. You can see how slight deviations or misinterpretations can send communication off course . This is where conflicts can start to arise. People generally act in a way that they believe is respectful, however, they may not be aware of the impact they have on another person.

Intention Vs Impact

Perhaps I make a joke. You don’t find it funny. In fact, you find it offensive. My intent was to be funny or affectionate, but the impact it had on you was quite different from my intention. Another example could be swearing in the workplace. A group of people might be very comfortable to pepper their conversation with strong language, whereas others might find that offensive. The key is to be aware that others can interpret the intent differently , and it can sometimes make people uncomfortable or offended. People will behave in a way that makes sense to them, and it doesn't always make sense to us.

Clarity

Why did you do that? Why is that funny? What's so annoying about that situation? It doesn't hurt to ask those questions. Research has shown that when we don't know the intent, when we don't have that information, we guess. It's human nature for us to look out for threat (the flight or fight response). So we are designed as a species to look out for the predator that's going to jump out of the bush and eat us. We're designed to look for the smoke from a fire that might trap us and burn us alive. If we have doubt about what someone is saying to us, the assumption is often going to be a negative one. It means it's easy for intent to be misinterpreted. We are primed to look for the negative. We focus in on it or fixate on it as a survival response. Psychological research shows us that for every negative thought or comment, we need another five to counteract them for wellbeing. Therefore, it’s important to clarify meaning, to not make assumptions about what people are saying to you and why they are behaving that way.

Watch out for sarc asm

Sarcasm is often a lazy way to tell somebody that you don't like something, to pass judgement or to criticise without actually telling them. It's a passive aggressive form of communication. Be careful if you find yourself doing it as a nervous response, it may easily be misinterpreted. Or if someone is communicating to you in that way, clarify their intent and meaning. Ask, “can I be clear on what you're trying to say here?” .

Be Curious

Because things can easily be misinterpreted, it’s a good idea to adopt a stance of curiosity for yourself. Seek to understand and ask questions before you try to make any changes or before you take a stand on something. Firstly adopt a position of curiosity on why they made that comment or why they may feel that way. Just a small degree of divergence can take you right off track in that cycle of communicatio n. Seeking clarification will bring it back on track. A conversation that stays off track can lead to grievances or mediation. When we come into mediation, it's not uncommon for a massive breakdown in communication. A collection of accumulative and compounding misunderstandings have occurred. A skilled mediator or facilitator will open up communication pathways, to bring the conversation cycles back on track for a useful resolution.

Written by CORP Consultant, Barbara Clifford

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Sun, 16 May 2021 19:30:02 GMT

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) is an opportunity to raise awareness of the human rights of LGBTI people. It is a chance to celebrate our diversity. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge that there are ‘things that we don’t know that we don’t know’ and to remind ourselves that awareness comes from remaining sufficiently curious to accept there are many possibilities. This is most relevant to subjects we are most likely to avoid or make assumptions from a lack of awareness.

Jack Morin, author of The Erotic Mind , states that never before have so many of us had so many opportunities to learn so much about sex. And yet the most important aspects of the sexual experience are the ones we know least about and are most reluctant to discuss. Part I focusses on peak erotic experiences as rich sources of information about the inner working of the erotic mind. Part II uses paradoxical perspectives to gain insight into extremely common but rarely discussed erotic problems. Part III explores how your growing self-awareness can guide you toward more joy and satisfaction in your life.

Is My Husband Gay, Straight, or Bi?, A Guide for Women Concerned About Their Men authors, Joe Kort and Alexander Morgan, have proposed that just because a husband watches gay porn does not indicate that he is a homosexual. Many sexual kinks are interpreted by both wives and husbands as “gay behaviours”. That happens particularly because our homophobic society tends to make people hyper-vigilant about “men who act gay”. Communication is the key, and less secrecy just because there are some atypical sexual interests.

Erotic plasticity , is defined as a change in people’s sexual expression – that is, attitudes, preferences and behaviour. In other words, someone’s sexual response can fluctuate depending on their surrounding environment. Sexual preferences are not set in stone and can change over time, often depending on the immediate situation the individual is in. This has been described as sexual fluidity . For example, if someone identifies as heterosexual but then finds themselves in an environment with only people of the same gender, they might feel increased sexual or romantic attraction to those same-gender partners. Like any other social trait, sexual preferences, attitudes, behaviours and identity can be flexible to some degree. Sexual fluidity can occur in people who are definitively heterosexual or homosexual but simply experience a change in their sexual response.

Simply because change occurs does not mean that women’s, or men’s, sexuality is strange, confusing, mysterious, or overly complicated. There are many men and women who show no signs of sexual fluidity at all. There is some recent work that addresses male sexual fluidity asking men to report their sexual experiences over the past 12 months. Evidence is divided on whether women are more sexually fluid than men, or just more willing to admit it.

Venturing into the erotic realm of self-discovery is dramatically more rewarding for those, who right from the start, are learning how to suspend judgments, trust themselves and take a gentle approach.

Resources

Morin, J. (1995) The Erotic Mind. Harper Publishing

Kort, J. (2014) Is My Husband Gay, Straight, or Bi : A Guide for Women Concerned About Their Men. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-sexual-fluidity-33120

Benefits of Meditation

Thu, 06 May 2021 01:47:10 GMT

At its core, meditation is the use of various techniques, such as mindfulness, attention focus, or contact with the present moment , to train yourself to achieve a clear and stable emotional and mental state. As the practice has become more popular, extensive research into the benefits of meditation has been conducted, and the results clearly indicate that the effects reach into and enhance many areas of life .

One of the key benefits of meditation is stress reduction . It helps to control adrenaline and heart rate, which in turn assists with controlling the release of the stress hormone cortisol and its associated inflammatory chemicals called cytokines . This reduction in stress and its associated effects also leads to a decrease in anxiety and depression , and an increase in stress reactivity and coping . Another side effect of the reduction in stress is decreased blood pressure and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease . Stress constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate, but a reduction in stress has been proven to mitigate these factors, resulting in a healthier heart.

This physical stress reduction response has been found to be related to physical changes in the brain : an increase in the cortical thickness in the hippocampus , which governs learning and memory , and in certain areas of the brain that play roles in emotion regulation and self-referential processing . There were also decreases in brain cell volume in the amygdala , which is responsible for fear, anxiety, and stress , indicating that the feeling of stress and anxiety reduction is not just subjective, but is actually supported by measurable physical changes .

An increase in emotional health and wellbeing , and a greater understanding of yourself and how you relate to the world around you, is another benefit. Being able to recognise harmful, negative or self-defeating thoughts is important in fostering a sense of self-efficacy , and belief in your own ability to overcome challenges and become a more complete person. Along with this is the development of kind thoughts and feelings towards yourself, and then towards others, resulting in greater compassion, kindness, empathy, and forgiveness, both internally and externally . These positive feelings towards the self have also been found to assist with managing triggers for addiction, and the control of pain .

One of the main concerns that many people have when first trying meditation is difficulty focusing their attention. Increased attention focus can lead to improved performance on visual tasks and neuropsychological tests , and to improved memory . Linked into this improvement in memory is improved mental clarity , which can also help with age-related memory loss and some symptoms of dementia . Being able to control or redirect racing thoughts and focus attention also helps to improve sleep , because as we all know, one of the key causes of insomnia is the inability to “turn your brain off”. It can also help to relax your body and release tension, which creates a relaxed state in which you are more likely to fall asleep.

The biggest drawcard for many people is the accessibility of meditation – it can be done any time, almost anywhere, and may only take a few minutes, depending on your needs at the time. Many people find it helpful to start or end their day with meditation, do it before an important meeting or event, or even if they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed with day-to-day life.

The most common types of mediation include:

Mindful meditation
Mindfulness-based stress relaxation
Loving-kindness / self-compassion meditation

These can also come under the general banners of focused-attention or open-monitoring meditation, so it depends on which style you find works best for you. If you’re interested in incorporating meditation into your daily routine, try a few different styles to see what works best for you, and consider guided meditation through the use of an app or a class to get started.

References

Dahl, C. J., Lutz, A., & Davidson, R. J. (2015). Reconstructing and deconstructing the self: cognitive mechanisms in meditation practice. Trends in cognitive sciences, 19(9), 515–523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2015.07.001

Galante, J., Galante, I., Bekkers, M. J., & Gallacher, J. (2014). Effect of kindness-based meditation on health and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 82(6), 1101–1114. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037249

Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M., Gould, N. F., Rowland-Seymour, A., Sharma, R., Berger, Z., Sleicher, D., Maron, D. D., Shihab, H. M., Ranasinghe, P. D., Linn, S., Saha, S., Bass, E. B., & Haythornthwaite, J. A. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal medicine, 174(3), 357–368. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018

Hoge, E. A., Bui, E., Marques, L., Metcalf, C. A., Morris, L. K., Robinaugh, D. J., Worthington, J. J., Pollack, M. H., & Simon, N. M. (2013). Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation for generalized anxiety disorder: effects on anxiety and stress reactivity. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 74(8), 786–792. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.12m08083

Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry research, 191(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.08.006

Khalsa D. S. (2015). Stress, Meditation, and Alzheimer's Disease Prevention: Where The Evidence Stands. Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD, 48(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-142766

Norris, C. J., Creem, D., Hendler, R., & Kober, H. (2018). Brief Mindfulness Meditation Improves Attention in Novices: Evidence From ERPs and Moderation by Neuroticism. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 12, 315. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00315

Olex, Stephen et al. “Meditation: should a cardiologist care?.” International journal of cardiology vol. 168,3 (2013): 1805-10. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.06.086

Ong, J. C., Manber, R., Segal, Z., Xia, Y., Shapiro, S., & Wyatt, J. K. (2014). A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation for chronic insomnia. Sleep, 37(9), 1553-1563.

Singleton, O., Hölzel, B. K., Vangel, M., Brach, N., Carmody, J., & Lazar, S. W. (2014). Change in Brainstem Gray Matter Concentration Following a Mindfulness-Based Intervention is Correlated with Improvement in Psychological Well-Being. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 8, 33. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00033

Tsai, S. Y., Jaiswal, S., Chang, C. F., Liang, W. K., Muggleton, N. G., & Juan, C. H. (2018). Meditation Effects on the Control of Involuntary Contingent Reorienting Revealed With Electroencephalographic and Behavioral Evidence. Frontiers in integrative neuroscience, 12, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2018.00017

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Restorative Justice for Victims

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 07:51:24 GMT

Restorative Justice for Victims

In recent times we have been inundated with news, social media and movies reporting and discussing sexual assault. This is not a bad thing, because the more we talk about something the more we address it and make social change. Sexual assault remains one of the largest under reported crimes in Australia. However, victims want to have their voices heard. Australian of the year Grace Tame fought for laws to change which prevented her from speaking about her experience and perpetrator. Courageous woman like Britney Higgins who have been further victimised by speaking out. These woman and others send a loud message that it is not going to be tolerated.

These stories show the obstacles, loss, judgement, and inadequacies of our systems. We need to recognise that our justice system is ineffective. From a punitive justice perspective, a crime is prosecuted as a crime against the state and its laws. Often this excludes those who are impacted by the justice outcome. “ Calculating the actual rate of sexual assault in Australia is almost impossible because survivor disclosure patterns vary widely. For example, a recent report on sexual assault by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare revealed that almost 2 million Australians had experienced a sexual assault since the age of 15 . Of the women who self-reported experiencing sexual assault in the 12 months prior, only 1 in 6 sought ‘traditional’ justice by reporting to the police . Only 4 in 10 reported the assault to a health service . The vast majority (over 70%) preferred the support of friends and family . For many reasons, these women felt the traditional reporting pathway and entry in the criminal legal system wasn’t for them .”

Traditional responses are failing survivors .

While it seems unimaginable that a survivor of sexual assault would wish to face the person who assaulted them ever again, most people do face their abuser again – sometimes because it is unavoidable and sometimes because they want to. According to the Centre for Innovative Justice in Melbourne, a restorative conference involves “ bringing together a person/people who have been harmed, the person/people who caused the harm and other impacted community members (eg. family, neighbour, shopkeeper etc.) to have a conversation about what occurred. The emphasis is on being heard, understood, having questions answered, taking responsibility, showing remorse and contributing towards healing. ”

Restorative justice aims to focus on three key areas: victims voice , validation and future plan .

Survivor-oriented restorative justice processes are showing significant outcomes and can be implemented alongside current laws with allowance for discretionary powers rather than having to rewrite current laws. Further government support and professional development is needed to support this to be a future method of justice for victims.

If this story affects you in any way please call:

Lifeline

P: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

P: 1300 224 636

1800RESPECT (24/7 service)

P: 1800 737 732

Ruby Gaea (Darwin Only)

P: 08 8945 0155

Sexual Assault Referral Service (SARC)

Alice Springs: 08 8955 4500

Darwin: 08 8922 6472

Katherine: 08 8973 8524

Tennant Creek: 08 8962 4100

References

https://cij.org.au/opencircle/what-is-restorative-justice/

https://www.clcnsw.org.au/restorative-pathways-after-sexual-assault

https://www.eeclc.org.au/transforming-justice-australia

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sat, 17 Apr 2021 02:13:14 GMT

In April, the colour teal is not just a colour, it’s the colour associated with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Recent events in the news, both in Australia and around the world, have shone a light on sexual assault, and the reality of day-to-day living for people trying to cope with being assaulted. The current Australian statistics regarding sexual assault are both frightening and concerning, with almost 2 million Australian adults , including 1 in 6 women , and 1 in 25 men , having experienced at least one sexual assault since the age of 15. And the rate of police-recorded sexual assaults on children under 15 years is nearly twice that figure.

Sexual assault can have major effects on those who experience it, and the fallout can last for years. One of the most important things that can help those who have survived a sexual assault is support. Whether that is a safe place to stay, encouragement and support if they choose to report it to the authorities, or simply an ear to listen without judgement. Support and assistance are key in ensuring that the survivor feels safe and able to move forward.

Self-care is also important, taking time to take care for yourself and make sure that you’re ok. Simple things like eating and drinking properly, sleeping, exercising and relaxing can often fall by the wayside when someone has experienced immense stress or trauma. Keeping a healthy physical self means that you have more energy to devote to being healthy, emotionally and psychologically as well.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted and you feel you would like to speak to someone for assistance or information, there are resources and organisations that can help, so please don’t be afraid to reach out.

Lifeline

P: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

P: 1300 224 636

1800RESPECT (24/7 service)

P: 1800 737 732

Ruby Gaea (Darwin Only)

P: 08 8945 0155

Sexual Assault Referral Service (SARC)

Alice Springs: 08 8955 4500

Darwin: 08 8922 6472

Katherine: 08 8973 8524

Tennant Creek: 08 8962 4100

Mediation & Facilitated Discussion: 3 Common Myths

jlacey@easa.org.au (Jenna Lacey) — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:00:55 GMT

Mediation and facilitated discussion are empowering processes that enable participants to feel heard and considered, and can greatly assist towards resolving conflict within your workplace.

Mediation

“Mediation is a process by which a neutral third party called a Mediator helps people in conflict negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. The parties to the mediation control the outcome.” – Australian Mediation Association

A Mediator facilitates communication, promotes understanding, assists your team members to identify their needs and interests, and uses creative problem-solving techniques to enable them to reach their own agreement.

It is not the role of the mediator to offer advice or training. A mediator facilitates a structured process.

The mediation process is designed to assist with reaching a mutual agreement, as determined by each of the participants. This process is bound by full confidentiality, unless otherwise specifically directed by all participants in their mediation agreement.

Facilitated Discussion

A facilitated discussion follows a similar structure as a mediation process; however, a mediation is a conversation that is directed by the needs of each of the participants or the parties, whereas the direction of a facilitated discussion is guided by the facilitator.

A facilitated discussion will be directed in alignment with the background information that has been provided by a referrer. A referrer is usually an employer representative (i.e. Human Resources or direct line manager), insurance provider, or other industry body.

Any discussion or meeting is typically more productive when directed – with a clear agenda and expected outcomes. Unstructured and unresolved meetings can become repetitive, with the potential to create more tension each time a discussion or meeting is revisited. As you can imagine, this protracted process can become very draining for all involved. To this end, a facilitated discussion is most often focused on reaching specific, targeted outcomes as directed by the referrer.

In addition, the facilitated discussion process commonly includes reporting requirements back to the referrer. For reporting to occur, all participants must sign a release of information prior to commencing the facilitated discussion process. If all participants do not sign a release of information, then reporting cannot be provided.

Myth 1: It's all my fault.

Typically, most people who participate in a conflict resolution process feel like they are solely at fault; this is very rarely the case. A conflict or disagreement has occurred and, more often than not, the conflict has occurred due to a breakdown in communication in which both parties share mutual responsibility.

Conflict is a natural part of any human interaction, and communication breakdowns are incredibly common. However, in cases where positive communication cannot be re-established by the individuals involved in the conflict, a facilitator or mediator can assist with creating clear communication pathways by facilitating open conversation and building bridges to enable participants to reach a greater understanding of each other and the situation.

Myth 2: Taking conflict outside of the company is just lazy.

Oftentimes it can be very difficult for participants to negotiate and reach a positive resolution within their physical workplace. Conducting heightened discussions on neutral ground can immediately remove any conscious or unconscious pressures that may be attached to the everyday working environment. Providing this neutral space can allow each participant to communicate more freely and without judgement, under the guidance of an experienced facilitator or a mediator.

Myth 3: I'm going to be forced into doing something I don't want to.

The role of a mediator is to ensure all parties feel safe, supported, and able to consider all aspects of the situation from all points of view. When all parties are able to understand each other, they are better able to put forward their own point of view as considered requests that clearly communicate their individual needs.

One of the core foundations of a mediation or a facilitated discussion is to create a space where all parties can approach an issue on equal footing. While the mediator cannot provide direct advice, they can ask participants guiding questions, helping them to articulate their position in order to progress towards a positive and mutually agreeable resolution.

Mediation and facilitated discussion are empowering processes that enable participants to feel heard and considered, and can greatly assist towards resolving conflict within your workplace.

To discuss how a professional mediator or facilitator can assist with resolve conflict in your team, please contact the CORP Coordinator on (08) 8941 5661 or corp@corp.org.au .

*This article was written by Barbara Clifford (Mediator), and edited by Jenna Lacey (CORP Coordinator).

Hope for Endometriosis Month

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:30:58 GMT

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month

Endometriosis is a disease that affects 1 in 10 women where the cells which normally line the uterus grow outside of the uterus causing pain and in some cases, affecting fertility. There is no cure and no understanding of its cause.

This disease has received little attention over the years as it was under researched and not spoken about. Recent research has shown it takes around 10 years for a woman to get a diagnosis of endometriosis. Often this is because the pain and discomfort has been dismissed as hormonal or due primarily to menstruation.

In 2018, Health Minister Greg Hunt offered a formal apology to all Australian woman for not giving this public health issue the attention it has deserved leaving many women feeling helpless and hopeless. Endometriosis can be debilitating; the physical pain and discomfort associated with social and psychological impacts can leave woman depressed, their jobs in jeopardy and relationships falling apart. A study published in 2019 showed the economic burden of pelvic pain and endometriosis in Australia was around 9.7 Billion.

The lack of medical understanding has also left many women feeling unheard, misunderstood and judged. A diagnoses can only come from a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy and there are many myths surrounding endometriosis like ‘having a baby will cure it’. The quality-of-life impacts of endometriosis are considered similar to diabetes and it affects about the same number of women in Australia. But while the costs to society are considered higher for endometriosis it currently receives about 5% of the funding of diabetes through the National Health and Medical Research Council.

In this month of March 2021, there is hope as brave woman have stepped forward and spoken of their stories like Emma from the Wiggles. There is some federal funding for research projects which will help determine where help is most needed. More is always needed, especially in the form of support. Endometriosis Australia has some helpful information as well as ‘ Endo Active’ talks which are available on YouTube.

If you feel you may have symptoms, seek medical help and if you feel that you have not been heard - get a second opinion .

Resources

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/06/greg-hunt-apologises-to-women-with-endometriosis-and-announces-action-plan

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223316

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=endoactive

Parenting: The Goodness of Fit and Response-ability

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 06:22:37 GMT

The Goodness of Fit and Response-ability

The ‘goodness of fit’ means the child’s capacity and dynamic for growth and development and the carers’ provision of challenge, stimulation and support throughout the period of child rearing. The core of interpersonal intelligence includes the capacities to discern and respond appropriately to the moods, temperaments, motivations and desires of other people, no more critical than in the task of parenting one’s own children. A parent’s demandingness refers to the parent’s willingness to act as a socialising agent, whereas responsiveness refers to the actions which intentionally foster individuality, self-regulation and self-assertion by being attuned, supportive and acquiescent to the child’s special needs and demands.

Socialising the Child

Although parental demands socialise a child from birth it is during the teenage years where the results of parenting efforts in socialisation significantly manifest and parental responsiveness must be attuned to the teenagers need for individuality and self-actualisation as part of their normal developmental milestones, developing a degree of differentiation, the natural forces within the self, pushing the teenagers to separate from their family while simultaneously acting to keep connected to their family.

Goodness of fit

‘Goodness of fit’ has been a key theoretical construct for understanding caregiver-child relationships. When children pose care-giving difficulties for their parents the manner in which parents respond to their children is important for their socio-emotional development. Therefore, love can be the most lethal weapon in the parenting arsenal.

People are complex, their social systems are complex, their morals and values are complex. This complexity needs to be simplified and understandable to a parent for them to gain some insight into their current patterns of behaviour which will certainly impact upon their parenting skills and the role modelling to their children. The parent’s life-script will undoubtedly influence their parenting. Script messages are transmitted by unconscious communication between the Child and Parent ego states of family members across generations.

Research

A study of Functional Fluency completed in February 2017 explored the usefulness of Functional Fluency in the context of parent counselling. The research concluded that the task of ‘parenting’ was when an individual has a responsibility of care and control and personal development of others, covering a range of experiences such as parenting a child, being a public service provider, being in staff management, professional supervision or engaging in personal development. Functional Fluency, in other words how ‘fluent’ we are in ‘functioning’ with other human beings, has nine modes of behaviour, five are positive and four are negative. Each behaviour has six descriptors (adjectives) which are easily understood by a verbally literate adult to describe their behaviours. The findings indicated a need to balance between the limits of socially constructed norms and the opportunities for self-actualisation.

Attachment

Attachment has been aligned to “the goodness of fit” between the adult and child. The quality of attachment in childhood is the lynch-pin to a lifetime of an individual successfully practicing social responsibility, development of self, and effective decision making while surviving in a human environment. In relation to, not only parenting in general, but also significant to the ‘goodness of fit’ there emerged a number of themes, i.e. parenting style, parent’s relationship with each other, bonding between the child and parents and the child’s feelings of connectedness, in the family context, particularly for younger children, and critically, social connectedness for teenagers.

Response-ability

Functional Fluency has given a common language to, and an ability to recognise and name patterns of behaviour. Functional Fluency has affirmed what behaviours are productive and lifts a respondent’s awareness to avenues of change when behaviours are counter-productive. Using Functional Fluency as an intervention, there is a focus on strengths and in developing mindfulness, interpersonal skills, emotional regulation strategies, empathy, emotional responsiveness and reflective functioning.

For further information about how Functional Fluency can help you or someone you know visit www.functionalfluency.com .

Developing Relationships

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 02:36:01 GMT

Developing Relationships

Maximising Interpersonal Effectiveness

Our ways of relating to each other are embedded constantly in relationships and this is a continual process, relearning or new learning. The relational aspects are of the highest significance to our psychosocial development and our individual ability as learners to sustain positive relationships. These aspects are the building blocks of self-esteem and atonement.

When we use positive and flexible ways of responding to each other, our communication is likely to be more effective. We all have a range of behavioural tendencies and habits to draw on. Moment-by-moment it can be hard to choose the right ones. This is an art as well as a skill. The more we are aware of our tendencies, and understand them, the easier it is to develop more effective modes of communication. In other words we are lifting our level of awareness of our emotional literacy.

Emotional Literacy

Emotional literacy describes key aspects of human social functioning. Understanding the nature of behaviour and how a person uses behaviour, both positive and negative, helps to build self-awareness, the key domain of emotional intelligence. Emotional literacy is learning how to expand and enrich the use of positive modes of behaviour and to transform negative modes of behaviour, which in turn supports ongoing development.

If you work with people, you are the tool of your trade. To become emotionally literate helps you to relate positively to others; respond more and react less, to give empowering leadership, to encourage creative collaboration. The more effectively you communicate and build relationships, the more effective your outcomes will be. It’s not just what you do – it’s how you do it that really, matters.

Parenting

“Upbringing is a relational process unique for each individual, in which, what we do and how we do it can either support a positive growth dynamic or hinder it” (S.Temple, 2014)

As human beings we are born entirely helpless, we need prolonged care and we need protection to survive. The maturation process goes well past the age of physical maturity, surviving, pairing-up and reproducing. As complex social animals, we have much to learn about how to relate to others and function as a productive member of a social group. We also need to gain considerable knowledge and many skills in order to fend for ourselves, provide our own well-being and eventually that of our children. Upbringing should provide that learning. From the point of view of survival, human social behaviour is concerned with both the physical realities of life and the psychological dynamics of relationship.

Then the question,

“How good is the fit between the child’s capacity and dynamic for growth and development and the carer’s provision of challenge, stimulation and support?” (Chess & Thomas, 1999)

How do we provide a framework for understanding the dynamic relationships involved in good upbringing? Emotional literacy is especially important for parents, educators and all of us who take part in the responsibility for ‘upbringing’, in one way or another. Children, young people and others are learning all the time, whatever we do, or don’t do, from both the example we set and the experiences we offer them. Increasing our own self-awareness supports our sensitivity and perception of the other’s needs so that we can develop our ‘response-ability’ and enhance the ‘fit’ we offer between upbringing and growing up.

Reference

www.functionalfluency.com

Learn How to Solve Common Customer Service Challenges

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 07:12:11 GMT

How your team members handle customer service challenges is crucial to the success of your organisation.

Upcoming Public Workshop - Customer Focus: The Competitive Edge (March 2021)

Customers are the lifeblood of any organisation. Retaining them and leveraging their loyalty increases business and ensures a positive image of the organisation. To do this, organisations must deliver consistent, excellent service to every customer.

73% of customers fall in love with a brand and remain loyal because of friendly customer service reps. ( RightNow )
77% of customers would recommend a brand to a friend after having a single positive experience. ( Temkin Group )
93% of customers are likely to make repeat purchases with companies who offer excellent customer service. ( HubSpot Research )
The #1 reason customers switch to a new brand is feeling unappreciated. ( New Voice Media )
It takes 12 positive customer experiences to make up for one negative experience. ( Glance )
78% of customers have backed out of a purchased due to a poor customer experience. ( Glance )

Business News Daily suggests the follow six effective ways to connect with your customers and build lasting relationships to keep them loyal to your brand:

Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach.
Respond to concerns.
Keep it personal, not transactional.
Focus on face-to-face interactions.
Grow with your current clients in mind.
Show your appreciation.

And, in collaboration with contact centre experts, Merchants, Business News Australia recommends using the following steps to create a customer service strategy from the article: Five Tips To Improve Customer Experience And Grow Your Organisation .

Benchmark your customer service
Define your customers
Pay attention to what your customers are saying
Provide omnichannel support
Engage your customers on an emotional level

To improve your team's understanding of what it means to deliver exceptional customer service, you may consider supporting your staff to attend CORP's upcoming half-day workshop in March 2021 - Customer Focus: The Competitive Edge . In this session we will explore some key concepts that will assist your staff to work confidently with internal and external customers, from boosting customer loyalty to managing their own emotions and stress levels under pressure.

Course outline:

What it means to have a customer focus - internally & externally
Interpersonal skills, including active listening and questioning techniques
Techniques for managing challenging situations and interactions with customers
Engaging with customers and discovering opportunities to add value
Strategies for problem-solving to meet your customer's individual needs

Register Now!

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 01:10:03 GMT

October is Mental Health Awareness Month

Whilst awareness of mental illness and the need for support and treatment has been on the rise in recent years, we still as a society have a way to go in reducing stigma and creating communities in which mental health and wellbeing is prioritized. Unlike physical illness or injury that is visible and easily spotted, mental illness can easily be hidden and can often go unnoticed. Approximately 54 percent of Australians experiencing mental illness will not access support . There are many reasons why people with mental health challenges do not voice their struggles or seek help such as fear of being judged, losing employment, distrust, hopelessness, unsure where to seek help and lack of resources available.

Below are some General Statistics from Beyond Blue website:

1 in 7 Australians will experience depression in their lifetime
1 in 7 Australians will experience anxiety in their life time
1 in 8 Australians is currently experiencing psychological distress
1 in 7 Australian young people aged 4-17 years’ experience a mental health condition in any given year
Suicide continues to be the biggest killer of youth
1 in 5 LGBTQI Australians is currently experiencing depression, triple the rate of heterosexual Aussies
Indigenous Australians are nearly 3x more likely to experience psychological distress than non-Indigenous Australians
Every day in Australia approximately 6 men die by suicide
1 in 6 Australian women will experience post-natal depression

Whilst the above is just a snapshot of how many Australians are impacted by mental illness, it is evident for the need of more accessible treatment options and developing communities in which discussing mental health and wellbeing is considered common practice. 2020 has indeed had its own unique challenges with the raging bush fires and the global pandemic of COVID-19. The impact this has on families, communities and individuals has been astronomical, with families losing their housing, millions unemployed and mental unwellness skyrocketing. Psychological consequences of devasting bush fires and disease outbreaks include anxiety, panic, depression, confusion, uncertainty about the future and financial stress.

Environmental factors, social and economic status along with individual attributes and behaviours all contribute to mental illness . International research has shown a close relationship between poverty, financial strain, and mental illness. Without accessing treatment, people experiencing mental illness are at risk for adverse outcomes such as unemployment, becoming marginalized by society, facing homelessness and poor physical health to name a few. With challenges we face ahead as a species such as climate change, it has never been more paramount for human beings to come together to have open conversations regarding our mental health, support each other and work together towards a future in which mental health check ins become the norm. We are stronger together.

To all of those out there experiencing mental unwellness, battling their own demons or anyone who is struggling, I encourage you to keep going and not be afraid to seek support. You are brave, strong, loved and you are needed . To all the carers of those who are experiencing mental unwellness, thank you for your time, selflessness, courage and heart. It’s ok to take care of you too, in fact it is a necessity! You cannot pour from an empty cup.

References

Beyond Blue 2020, Mental Health Statistics Australia, viewed 02 October 2020, https://www.beyondblue.org.au/media/statistics

Blackdog Institute 2020, Facts and Figure about mental health, viewed 02 October 2020 https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1-facts_figures.pdf

Bitanlhire, B 2014, ‘Mental Health in a Social Context’ Journal of Psychiatry, vol.17, n.6 , retrieved October 2nd 2020, https://www.longdom.org/open-access/mental_health_in_a_social_context_169.pdf

Mental Health Ramifications- The Australian context 2020, Blackdog Institute, viewed 02 October 2020, http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200319_covid19-evidence-and-reccomendations.pdf