The Macquarie Dictionary definition of conflict is: “to come into collision, clash or be in opposition or at variance, disagree”. When a number of people co-habit in a place it is inevitable that conflicts and small feuds would arise due to a difference in opinion between some of the people. We can’t all agree at…
October 10 is World Mental Health Day, where across the world we reflect on our own mental health, as well as that of our communities, friends, family and others we care about. Supporting your own mental health is vital so that you can live a healthy and productive life that is rewarding and satisfying. Sadly,…
This post is by Australia Counselling member and Geelong counsellor and psychotherapist Colleen Morris. “Never put off tomorrow, what you can do today’” Thomas Jefferson Most of us would not deny the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson’s words, but human nature is fickle at times and I for one, have to deliberately go against my natural…
There has been significant controversy about the upcoming DSM V, the psychiatric diagnostic manual for mental illness and disorders. For this reason, Australia Counselling spoke with the world-renowned expert Dr. Joel Paris about the upcoming changes and his thoughts about whether we should be concerned about the changes and what are some of the more…
The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders is the standard classification of mental and health disorders that is used by professionals for diagnostic and research purposes. DSM, also known as the ‘mental health bible’, is what psychiatrists use to render an official diagnosis. The draft for DSM V has been submitted and it will…
The ACT review of the Mental Health (treatment and care) Act 1994 is in its final stages. This review will ensure that the mental health act meets the needs of the community and is in line with important mental health reforms in other Australian states and globally. Many community organisations, stakeholders and interested groups like…
This article was written by Australia Counselling member Narelle Gillies, who works as a Crows Nest counsellor with teens and young adults. As a therapist and youth mentor, working with teenagers in high schools and in private practice, I am struck by how often I hear comments like “they just won’t listen to me”. These kids are usually…
Advocates have been raising their voices against the government’s abandonment of its commitment to the mental health sector in favour of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This came as a shock because only two years ago Prime Minister Julia Gillard made commitments to the sector that did not see the light of the day.…
The new defence white paper released on May 3, 2013 revealed that defence personnel are at a high risk for developing Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The number of veterans has constantly been growing due to involvement in over a decade of operations in areas like East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. As Australian troops are…
Mental health problems account for 13.1% of Australia’s total burden of illness and disease and it is estimated that they cost the Australian economy up to $20 billion annually. They also plague the economy with related problems such as lost productivity and labour participation. There can be no better way to save the mental health…
