LightHouse Counselling and Wellness’ Post

Cultural competency is key to strengthening work with Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system. This week, our staff are working with Dr Tracy Westerman, Clinical Psychologist and Nyamal woman from Pilbara, to learn about best practice in Aboriginal Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. The Aboriginal Mental Health and Suicide Prevention workshop delivers accredited training that covers the assessment and treatment of a range of mental health issues from a clinical and cultural perspective, as well as suicidal behaviours in communities, including risk and protective factors. Understanding the cultural factors when assessing and managing mental health and suicide in Aboriginal populations enables more effective engagement with Aboriginal clients, minimisation of client-practitioner barriers and a culturally relevant approach to treatment. Dr Natalie Walker, Director of Offender Services and Programs attended the three-day workshop with a spectrum of NTCS staff and appreciated the discussions raised during the training. “Aboriginal people comprise approximately 86 per cent of our prisoner population. “This workshop helps us understand how cultural factors influence the engagement, assessment and treatment of Aboriginal people in our care, so we can work together more effectively for better outcomes that support rehabilitation, reintegration and help reduce Aboriginal incarceration.” #NTCS #NTCorrectionalServices #northernterritory #learninganddevelopment

Police in New Zealand – as with many other jurisdictions – are facing significant growth in callouts to mental health incidents, and are considering various approaches; new research by Auckland University of Technology Associate Professor Katey Thom, and Sarah Gordon, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Otago, suggests that shifting to a trauma-informed support system could improve responses and reduce police involvement. ❝Our research shows a shift to a trauma-informed support system could be a game changer. It has the potential to greatly reduce police involvement while improving support for individuals in distress.❞ ❝Our analysis of 111 calls suggests mental health or social service providers could lead most responses without the need for police.❞ ❝While police often felt they needed more specialist training, the research identified a basic humanistic response was most important to the people they serve.❞ ❝Police must be confident in using a trauma-informed approach that emphasises humanistic engagement across all frontline policing.❞ https://lnkd.in/eswWK-eB #lawenforcement #policing #police #mentalhealth NZ Police

This is an article from NASW which discusses the best practices for social work in police departments. I feel this is a very interesting and necessary growth in social work. In a time where police brutality is a hot topic issue, an educated and nuanced response is utmost important. The article details The Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (PAARI) which is a non-arrest law enforcement program targeted towards addiction. The program paints addiction as a disease rather than personal failure, and provides on demand treatment. The idea is using a deflect and diverge method, aiming to reduce overdoses increasing access to care. This would ideally lead to less arrests and overall more targeted treatment for these specific issues. This article speaks to the unique challenges Social workers may face in this role. Police officers and Social workers both serve their communities, but in very different capacities, and with different goals in mind. For example, police officers deploy justice through the law, while social workers advocate for justice through systems like welfare. The challenge is to remain rooted in the NASW no matter what is occuring around you. The article suggested leaning in to other social workers and staying in the loop with updated research. 

The management of psychosocial hazards and risks will be tested in this groundbreaking case.

Psychotherapy must be tailored to the needs of individuals seeking support and change. Individual characteristics, culture, and values are significant in exploring the best evidence-based interventions. #psychotherapy #counselling #subscribe #share #mentalhealth #multicultural #perpective #newview #youtube   <script src="https://lnkd.in/gbbpSS9G" async defer type="text/javascript"></script>

For those working in mental health or social care, understanding policy reform is critical. The below article explores how the Mental Health Bill will revise provisions and safeguards around detention and treatment in England and Wales. https://lnkd.in/ekh_StZh

It will take me a while to read and digest the Bill in enough detail to be able to weigh the pros and cons throughly. However, I have a great relief in the new expectation to support people (in advance) to make decisions about their future. It has always been my view that supporting people to make THEIR OWN decisions about aspects of care likely to occur is THE ONLY WAY. Honestly my view of the MCA was that it should have mandated the opportunity for advanced choice by a healthcare professional! Too many times clinicians are having to GUESS/WORK OUT what a patient would want when it's too late. In reality for a lot of people, even outside of the MH field, we should be talking about the 'what ifs' and supporting them to make their own decisions. In my view if we know someone has a progressive disorder, we know some of the decisions that MAY need to be made down the line. These are rarely a surprise yet too often we have no idea what that person would choose. YES it's time consuming BUT does it take more time than all of the MDTs, family meetings, capacity assessments with second opinions, COP applications, disagreements between people involved, extra needs to pull in social work, safeguardings etc that occur without this planning? We can't live in a world where we scream about patients choice and voice but don't prepare them for what may lie ahead!!! Rant over but even if you work in physical healthcare and the MH Bill will not apply to you - PLEASE review practice to equip people to make tough decisions for themselves whilst they still can!!

📢 Offenders in Wales with low-level mental health issues will be required to attend an assessment as part of a government scheme to tackle reoffending. Find out more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eENPzaED Health and Care Research Wales Ben Lloyd #socialwork #socialworknews #socialworktoday #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

On this International Day of Parliamentarism, we urge parliaments and parliamentarians to take concrete steps towards removing the GST/HST on therapy in Canada. By advocating for tax-free therapy services, they can make mental health care more accessible for all Canadians and address the urgent need for support in our communities. #PRPA #ParliamentarismDay #TaxFreeTherapy #MentalHealthAdvocacy #PRPA #SupportMentalHealth

See link below to my analysis of the key provisions of the Mental Health Bill, and how it would reform the safeguards around detention and treatment in England and Wales.