Strategies and tips for a healthy working life

 Summary of the CCS-SPHPM joint panel discussion for Mental Health Week by Zhoujie Ding and Lenka Vodstrcil (on behalf of CCS EDI committee)

Striving to maintain our mental wellbeing has emerged as a primary goal for many workers, especially since COVID first disrupted our routines and changed how we work. In academia, meeting deadlines and balancing our workload and expected output can sometimes be really overwhelming, especially when other issues in life cause additional stress. To provide some insights into how our working lives can be improved and where to get help when mental health issues arise, the CCS-SPHPM EDI committees organised a panel discussion with experts in the field, which took place at the Alfred Center Lecture Theatre on 6 November 2023.

Mental Health Week launch event - Mental health in the workplace

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) is hosting a stand for the Mental Health Week Launch Event on Monday 9 October from 3.00-7.30pm. The event opens on Monday 9 October at 3 pm at the Deakin Edge theatre, Federation Square. Please drop by and say hello to the MAPrc team!

Shout out for MAPRC: 11 Oct Mental Health Week launch

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre team is going to be at the Mental Health Week launch, on Tuesday 11 October, 2016 from 5.00pm – 7.30pm at The Edge Theatre, Federation Square. The team will have a stall, and be able, ready and willing to answer any question you like to ask about mental health research, therapies and treatments. A variety of brains wanted for their research studies too! Everyone welcome. Links:

• Mental Health Week: www.mentalhealthvic.org.au/index.php?id=44
• MAPrc: www.maprc.org.au/
• Monash students Mental Health Week program: https://www.monash.edu/students/mental-health-week 

MAPrc where it's at: Mental Health Week launch 11 Oct 2016

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre team is going to be at the Mental Health Week launch, on Tuesday 11 October, 2016 from 5.00pm – 7.30pm at The Edge Theatre, Federation Square. The team will have a stall, and be able, ready and willing to answer any question you like to ask about mental health research, therapies and treatments. A variety of brains wanted for their research studies too! Links:

• Mental Health Week: www.mentalhealthvic.org.au/index.php?id=44
• MAPrc: www.maprc.org.au/

Mental health week 2015: Meditation for mindfulness vs meditation in religion or spiritual practice

What effect does the type of meditation have
on your brain?

Dr Neil Bailey from MAPrc has co-authored a study which explores whether mindfulness meditation has the same effect on the brain as meditation in spiritual practice.

According to the study, individuals who practise meditation religiously or spiritually and those who practise mindfulness meditation often report a greater sense of compassion, wellbeing, feeling of wholeness, decreased anxiety, and faster recovery from mental illness.

The report examines neuroimaging research that has focused on groups of meditating individuals, groups who engage in religious/spiritual practices, and research that has examined groups who perform both practices together, in an attempt to assess whether the effects on people's mindfulness are the same.

Mental Health Week: educating Victorians

In 2014, Mental Health Week will run from Sunday 5th to Saturday 11th October. World Mental Health Day is marked every year on the same date: 10th of October.

Mental Health Week aims to activate, educate and engage Victorians about mental health through a week of interactive events across the state including an official launch, community festivals, art exhibitions, music, theatre and seminars.

Click here for a list of Mental Health Week events in Victoria.