Mind and Soul Matters

One of the world leading researchers in Alzheimer's disease, Professor Ralph Martins AO, shares the latest research in developing tests, namely specific blood tests, for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with the aim of early diagnosis leading to prevention. Professor Martins' research hopes to bring us a step closer to a world without Alzheimer's. 

In this live "Mental Health Forum", Dr Neda Meshgin (GP), Orla Peoples (social worker) and Paniz Zarandion (counsellor) share their professional and personal experiences in the area of addictions. They help us deepen our understanding of what addiction is, where it often stems from, break a few myths, and give practical tips on how we can support loved ones experiencing a substance use disorder.  For more information and support in Australia: National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline 1800 250 015 Western Australian Network of Alcohol & other Drug Agencies (WANADA) https://wanada.org.au/

In Part 3 of "Family and Domestic Violence", Wendy courageously shares her personal experience of growing up and witnessing domestic violence in its various forms. She candidly shares her insights into the impact of her childhood experiences on her relationship as an adult and the effect of intergenerational trauma. A touching story that guides us in supporting those who may be in a similar situation as well as guiding us to access support if needed. For support in Australia contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Some of the content maybe disturbing and not suitable for children.    

In Part 2 of "Family and Domestic Violence", Fiona McDonald, a relationship educator with extensive experience in the various domains of relationships, identifies the importance of equality of men and women and the importance of the family as the foundation for healthy relationships. She explores how we can break the cycle of abuse and violence, gives us an overview of the most effective interventions and examines the question of when is it a good time to intervene. For anyone impacted by family and domestic violence in Australia, please contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)    

In Part 1 of "Family and Domestic Violence", Jayne Jarito, an experienced financial counsellor, sheds light on an area of domestic and family violence that is often overlooked and hidden - financial abuse. Jayne specifically outlines how we can recognise financial abuse and how we can support someone that may be trapped by financial abuse.  For more support in Australia please contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Debt helpline 1800 007 007    

In Part 3 of "Aging and Mental Health", Mrs Nahid Meshgin summarises her personal journey with life and aging, giving us valuable tips on some of the protective factors in aging well. 

In Part 2 of "Aging and Mental Health", Gabriela Di Perna shares her research findings to highlight issues around loneliness in older adults. She sheds light on how we can prevent loneliness and gives us insights into how we get from loneliness to meaningful belonging.  If you would like to receive a copy of Gabriela's thesis once published, please contact [email protected]  

In Part 1 of "Aging and Mental Health", Dr Frans Hugo, a psychiatrist with expertise in older adults, distinguishes the facts from the myths. He highlights some of the challenges older adults face and how they can effectively combat these, as well as how others can support them to stay mentally healthy. 

In Part 3 of "Youth Mental Health" series, Dr Jay Thomas shares his experiences of working with youth in the Baha'i community, exploring issues related to meaning, purpose and importance of hope. Preventative measures, such as a sense of belonging and service to others is also discussed as potential factors that may protect youth from some mental health challenges as they navigate through this critical stage of life.

In Part 2 of "Youth Mental Health" series, Amie shares publicly for the first time her personal experience and struggles with mental illness. She courageously highlights for us the challenges and gives us an insight of how we may be able to support those struggling with mental illness. 

In Part 1 of "Youth Mental Health" series, psychologist Sarah McPharlin gives us an insight into the changes in the brain of a young person as they move from childhood to adolescents, providing an explanation of some of those behaviours that adults may perceive as negative or rebellious. Sarah also highlights the key "needs" of this age group and how as parents and adults we can help young people develop their potential as they enter adulthood. 

Is there a downside to winning? What is the cost of competition? And what is the alternative? Luke McPharlin, a former Australian Football League player, is back by popular demand to share his insights and to answer these critical questions, particularly as we live in a society that is consumed with competition and success. He gives advice to the next generation on success - advice that is useful not only to the aspiring football player but to all of us who want to succeed, whether as a parent, CEO or sports star. 

As part of the Mental Health Forum series, this episode captures from both a professional and personal lens what constructive resilience looks like when migrant women are faced with challenges. 

In 1971, Charlie Pierce left his home in the UK and took a post as a school teacher in Port Villa, in Vanuatu. For over 40 years Charlie dedicated himself to teaching in the small island nation. In 2012, however, Charlie was the victim of a brutal attack in his own home. This is Charlie’s story, courtesy of Baha’i Blog productions and Sam Irwin Media. 

Dr Laura Hedayati, a clinical psychologist, discusses the impact of forgiveness on our well-being and shares steps we can use to train ourselves to move from hurt, anger and resentment towards forgiveness, peace and healing.  

In Part 3 of the "Family Wellbeing" series, Danae Watkins from Relationships Australia talks about the importance of connection. Danae explains that as we make time for our physical fitness, we must also prioritise our social fitness by making time for connecting to others. She also shares some of the services provided by Relationships Australia and how these can enhance our connections.  

In Part 2 of "Family Wellbeing" series, we welcome back Veronica Anderson, facilitator of the Spiritual Parenting Program who shares with us an overview of how we can bring out the best in our children. "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom."      Baha'i Writings

In Part 1 of "Family Wellbeing" series, family therapist Nilly Cope shares findings from research on how we can be masters in our relationships, rather than disasters. She also identifies for us what John Gottman, a world leading relationship expert, referred to as the sulfuric acid of relationships and how we can avoid it. 

Hero candidly shares her struggles with mental health and how the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of therapy has helped her navigate through these challenges. What can we take away from her story to help us in our own healing and to support others, particularly youth, to overcome mental health challenges?

In Part 3 of 'Conversations About Suicide', Lisa O'Malley MLA (member of parliament) candidly and courageously shares with us her personal struggles with mental illness and the impact of losing her brother, Michael to suicide 10 years ago. A touching story that guides us in how we can support those who have lost a loved one to suicide. 

In Part 2 of 'Conversations About Suicide' series, Hoda Golestani, a counselling psychologist, sheds further light on this very important topic and explains the role of emotional pain and loneliness in those at risk of suicide. 

In Part 1 of 'Conversations About Suicide' series, Lifeline crisis counsellor, Virginia Bradshaw, shares with us some life changing tips on how we can respond to a person at risk of suicide, what questions we must ask and steps we can take to potentially save a person's life. 

Andrew, a youth mental health worker at Headspace, has lived a life of challenges and trauma, and along the way he’s had to make choices. How has his life experiences and traumas shaped who he is today? How does a person live through trauma, and make choices that lead to healing and giving back to others with compassion, empathy and love?

In Part 3 of 'Mind, Body and Environment' series, Ms Mahsa Anderson, Counselling Psychologist and a lifestyle medicine practitioner, clearly identifies for us the evidence available for foods that affect or mood. 

In Part 2 of 'Mind, Body and Environment' series, Dr Katie Carter, shares insights from her extensive experience in social work, policy development and research, on the impact of social determinants of mental health. She explains how certain social conditions can impact our mental health, and why we need to not only look after our own mental health but be concerned with the social forces in play in our communities.

Can exercise be used in treating depression and anxiety? Is it more effective that medication? And if so, how and why? In Part 1 of 'Mind, Body and Environment' series, Dr Louise Naylor, exercise physiologist and associate professor at UWA, shares insights from her research and clinical practice to answer these important questions and explain the impact of exercise on our physical and mental health.    The contents of this episode do not substitute medical advice. For any mental or physical concerns please consult your medical practitioner. 

Positive relationships are the greatest predictor of our happiness, health and wellbeing. But how do we go about achieving these positive, fulfilling relationships? Family therapist, Nilly Cope, shares tips and strategies on how we can build relationships that are free of tension and stress in order to create a more peaceful and happy home. Nilly also explains why and when we should consider engaging in family therapy and what do we do if our partner or family member doesn’t want to come along to therapy? More information on the steps of conflict resolution shared by Nilly can be found at:  https://harmonyfamilytherapy.com.au/the-power-of-collaborative-conflict-resolution-and-why-it-is-so-different-to-compromise/

In Part 3 of Exploring Social Justice, Dr Wibke Timmerman gives an  informative and eye-opening presentation on human rights and mental health.  

In part 2 of Exploring Social Justice, Peter Lyndon-James, founder of Shalom house shares his heartfelt story of overcoming severe personal circumstances, childhood trauma and an imperfect judicial system, transforming himself and establishing an organisation which now helps hundreds of others to rehabilitate and reintegrate back into society. This episode is suitable for adults only and if you find any of the content disturbing please link in with your mental health support network or contact lifeline on 131114.   

In Part 1 of Exploring Social Justice, Bayan Meshgin a criminal defence lawyer with numerous years of working with those in the justice system who struggle with mental health challenges, helps us understand some of the shortcomings of the current system. In this live forum presentation, Bayan highlights these challenges in relation to the legal system in Western Australia, many of which are relevant to other areas in the world. 

Shadi Toloui-Wallace, candidly shares her struggles of juggling her roles as a  mother, musician, wife and creator.  She describes how her Faith, creativity and openness to seeking professional help has aided her through some of the challenges of life. We also discuss her latest project, Tiny Souls, which incorporates her passion for nurturing values in children and her musicality to create content with meaningful songs and resources that uplift and inspire tiny souls and stimulate young growing minds. For more information on this fabulous App, visit www.tinysoulsmedia.com . Tiny Souls can also be accessed via the App Store.

A Baha'i, a Hindu and a Christian - Dr Kynan Feeney (oncologist), Dr Ashwini Davray (palliative care physician) and Dr Michael Couch (general practitioner) explore the role of their respective Faiths in their practice as medical doctors. They share insights on how their patients' faiths can impact their journey and discuss the integration of medicine and spirituality.  

Guest host, Kalinz McPharlin, poses questions to a group of children to help us see the world through their eyes. Love, gratitude, friendship, worries and happiness are some of the topics explored. Our in-house clinical psychologist also shares insights on how we can nurture the mental and spiritual health of our children.

We all want the best for our children - mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. Dr Jasmine Bell, coordinator of the program for the spiritual education of children in Western Australia, outlines the elements of an education curriculum aimed at bringing out the best in every child, and explores how children, parents and communities can benefit from this program. We also discuss whether a spiritual education program can contribute positively to our children's mental health. More information about this international program can be found via the Baha'i community website in your country, and in Australia via  https://bahai.org.au/index.php/what-bahais-do/building-vibrant-communities/spiritual-education-children/  

In Part 2 of our Trauma series, Clive Morrison shares his story. Clive, a Noongar elder is a member of the stolen generations. As an Indigenous Australian, Clive was taken from his family as a child based on past government policies and practices. He shares his story of displacement and trauma through poetry and music. A heartfelt episode that must be heard and shared.

In Part 1 of our Trauma series, Dr Tarmala Caple, a former police officer and founder of The Wellbeing Psychologist, helps us understand trauma as a wound that has not been healed. In this live forum presentation, Dr Caple explores the different types of trauma, how trauma impacts us, explains why some people recover while others go on to develop psychological and physical problems, and how holistic therapy and support can lead to healing. thewellbeingpsychologist.com.au  

Collis Taeed, founder of Envato – one of the most successful and profitable Australian start up companies, candidly talks about the impact of mega wealth on his day to day life, relationships, children and happiness. And we explore whether wealth and spirituality are mutually exclusive.

We are thrilled to be launching our third season, continuing with monthly conversations to enhance our understanding of mental health and wellbeing, with a dash of spirituality! 

We have another special episode with Luke McPharlin, a former AFL player, who candidly shares his personal reflections on youth mental health, and reconciling his values with social norms. This special episode is from a live forum organised in collaboration with  Baha'i Blog and Melville Baha’i community to discuss issues around mental health in our society.

To wrap up season 2 we have a bonus episode with a practical element on meditation. The origins of meditation come from the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism. Today, the benefits of meditation, both for our emotional and physical well being are extensively researched and documented. This bonus episode includes a "mindfulness of the breath" exercise which is one type of meditation that can be used almost anywhere and any time. 

Technology is a significant part of our lives, but how can we parent our children to use it in a wise, safe, fun and useful way? In this special episode we present a live forum with Professor Donna Cross, whose research over the past 30 years has focused on children and adolescents' social and emotional well being. Prof Cross shares ten practical tips on how we can protect our children and enhance their enjoyment and positive interaction with technology.

How can young people be empowered to make positive moral choices? How can they contribute meaningfully to their communities? What are the ingredients that help navigate young people through this critical period? Jacob Barron, a graduate with honours in mathematics and physics, shares his personal story and his involvement with a program aimed at answering these important questions and helping empower young people to be positive contributors to their society. Lets find out about the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program (JYSEP). References: www.junioryouth.org.au Raising Girls by Steve Bidulph (2013) Raising Boys by Steve Bidulph (2014)    

Given the worldwide prevalence of mental illness, we are sure to encounter a friend, colleague or a family member struggling with mental health challenges. We can find ourselves stuck on how to respond, what to say or know how we can help. Dr Deena Ashoorian, an accredited instructor of the mental health first aid program, shares her insights on how we can support loved ones struggling with mental health challenges.  

Music is a universal language through which emotions are expressed and felt. Shameem Taheri-Lee, a singer, songwriter and producer, joins us to talk about how she has used music to navigate through life's challenges - from fitting in, to dealing with betrayal. What is the inspiration behind Shameem's music, which is described by The Sydney Morning Herald "as an explosion of soul … taking you on a journey to a world full of positivity, love and understanding".  You can access more of Shameem's music at shameemmusic.com or on your preferred music streaming platform. 

Varad, joins us to share his personal story of losing a dear friend to suicide and the effect it has had on his life. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young Australians, aged between 15 and 44. Globally, at least one million people are estimated to die by suicide each year. It's a devastating social issue that leaves behind shattered families, friends and communities.  A must listen - to help us raise awareness and attempt to prevent such tragedies.

Dr Duane Varan, CEO of MediaScience - a world-leading media research firm - joins us to talk about effective workplace management. What are the challenges faced by workplace managers and how can these challenges be overcome? Dr Duane Varan shares tips on how we can create a work environment that is nurturing, how we can translate a vision into reality, and how can these principles be applied not only to our workplace, but to the various domains of our life. 

We all want to live a good life, but what does that mean? What does a good life look like? And how can we pave our way towards a good life? Graham Mabury, a long standing presenter on Radio 6PR and co-founder of LifeLine candidly shares his personal struggles, as well as his insights and experiences on what contributes to living a good life. Graham, a Baptist Minister has devoted his life to advocating for social justice and serving others, receiving numerous accolades for his service to humanity.  He, however differentiates a life of "celebrity" from a life of "significance", giving us practical tips and advice on paving our way towards a good life. 

Parenting is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging responsibilities of our life.  Veronica Anderson shares her insights from a program aimed at bringing out the best in our children. A program based on the premise that we all have the capacity to do good in the world. But as parents, how do we ensure that we nurture these qualities in our children, and bring out the best in them and in ourselves?   "Children are the most precious treasure that a community can possess for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future." "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." Baha'i Writings Resources: https://www.virtuesproject.com/store/family-virtues-guide Family Virtues Guide: Simple Ways to Bring out the Best in Our Children and Ourselves, by Linda Kavelin-Popov [email protected]        

Given the ever increasing number of refugees worldwide, we are in much need of an inspiring story. Dr Manya Yazdani shares her story - a story of contributing to the betterment of the world. Dr Yazdani fled Iran due to religious persecution, following the 1979 Revolution and arrived in Australia as a young refugee in 1985. Dr Yazdani explains how she has reconciled her displacement and loss, and what fuelled her motivation to pursue a career as a medical doctor.

Luke McPharlin, Australian Football star, talks candidly about the struggles he faced early in his football career. He chose the road less travelled, the road which was difficult, the road not typical for a professional football player of his generation, but was in line with his values. How did following this path help shape both his career, and post-football life? And what is Luke getting up to post-footy? "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference."  (Robert Frost, 1915)