Mental Health in Practice

This episode was originally released in 2024 as part of MHPN's three-part series, Health in all its Complexity.
This three-part series features academic General Practitioners, Dr Wei-May Su and Professor Louise Stone, in conversation with various GPs about the complexities of providing meaningful primary health care. 
In episode one, May and Louise sit down with General Practitioner and researcher Professor Michael Kidd to explore the complexities of providing mental health care in a range of settings, from top-down health systems to working directly with patients. 
They discuss the challenges GPs face in providing mental health care within restricted systems and how they deal with moral injury in their work. They speak to the importance of showing humanness in person-centred care and the benefits of multidisciplinary support and collaboration.   
Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice.
Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form. 
Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/

Unsure what to listen to next?
We've got you covered. Over the next six weeks, we'll be re-releasing three episodes from our archive and invite you to revisit them with us.
Whether you're new to Mental Health in Practice or have been listening for a while, these episodes provide an opportunity to reflect on some of the realities of practice: from recognising when care requires more than diagnosis and treatment, to why uncertainty exists in practice, and how we continue providing compassionate care while looking after ourselves.
Episode 1 will be re-released on Wednesday 8 July.
Stay tuned for new episodes of Mental Health in Practice, returning from 19 August.

How can mental health practitioners build trust and create meaningful connections when people's experiences, expectations and understanding of care differ from their own? 
Drawing on extensive experience working alongside migrant communities, people seeking asylum and refugee communities, this episode explores practical ways to build meaningful therapeutic relationships and creating a space that is flexible and curious. The insights shared are relevant across a wide range of communities, offering opportunities to reflect on how curiosity, flexibility and cultural humility can support stronger connections.
The conversation offers valuable reflections for practitioners across health, mental health and community settings.
Featured presenters: Quan Nguyen (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker) and Dr Raj Ramanathapillai (Senior Practitioner Counsellor Advocate).
Liked this episode? Share with others and subscribe to Mental Health in Practice for more practice insights.
Explore resources on culturally safe practice on the MHPN website.
Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/

How is AI already being used in mental health practice, and what does it mean for you as a practitioner? 
In this episode, our presenters discuss the growing role of AI across healthcare and mental health settings, including where it is already being used in clinical and service settings. They discuss the practical opportunities AI may offer for communication, accessibility and support while also examining the challenges it raises around privacy, consent, professional judgement and trust.
The conversation encourages mental health practitioners to critically reflect on how emerging technologies may influence care, therapeutic relationships and the future of practice. 
Explore resources on AI in mental health practice on the MHPN website.
Featured presenters: Angela Batra-Mariani (Occupational Therapist, Co-founder of Everbility), David Lopis (Psychologist, AI Consultant), and Mani Batra (Software Engineer, Co-founder of Everbility).
Liked this episode? Share with others and subscribe to Mental Health in Practice for more practice insights.
Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

How can reflective practice repair therapeutic relationships?
Lenice Murray (Mental Health Social Worker) and Lee Crothers (Mental Health Occupational Therapist) explore how ruptures to relationships are common with a focus on how these can show up when working with consumers, carers and teams.
They explore why avoiding communication breakdowns can damage trust and care, and how honest conversations, shared responsibility, and strong supervision can help repair relationships and support safer practice.
Liked this episode? Share with others and subscribe to Mental Health in Practice for more practice insights.
Explore resources on therapeutic relationships and trauma-informed care on the MHPN website.
Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.