Psychosis: the elusive pathology - 76th Beattie Smith Lecture

76th Beattie Smith Lecture

Psychosis: the elusive pathology

Professor Ian Everall

Cato Chair of Psychiatry and Head, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne

Psychosis is a severe mental illness that is characterized by the presence of delusions and hallucinations. Back in the late nineteenth century Emil Kraeplin (1856 – 1926), a German psychiatrist, undertook scrupulous observations of many patients under his care at an asylum in Switzerland. From these studies he proposed that severe psychotic mental illness was composed of two main types: dementia praecox (which today we call schizophrenia) and manic-depressive psychosis (which today we call bipolar disorder).

Kraeplin, together with other prominent early psychiatrists, such as Alois Alzheimer (1864 – 1915) were convinced that these disorders were organic brain diseases. However the search for the brain pathology of psychosis still eludes us.

Professor Everall will outline the history and development of our understanding of the brain pathology of psychosis and where we stand today in applying newly emerging scientific technologies to advancing our knowledge of the causation of psychotic illness.

Date: Tuesday 9 March 2010

Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Venue: Sunderland Lecture Theatre, ground floor, Medical Building, corner of Grattan Street and Royal Parade, The University of Melbourne, Parkville

(Melways reference: Map 2B C7)

ALL WELCOME

FREE ADMISSION

RSVP and further information: mdhs-rsvp@unimelb.edu.au (03) 8344 9800

Employment Opportunity - Regional Manager (Victoria) - NEAMI

The following is from NEAMI:

Regional Manager - Victoria

Community Mental Health

About Neami:

Committed to innovation and excellence, Neami provides rehabilitation and support services to people living in the community who experience serious mental illness. Neami has a strong commitment to consumer driven services, and fostering consumer participation.

About the position:

The role encompasses the ongoing management and development of a selection of comprehensive psychiatric rehabilitation and support services in north eastern Melbourne. Whilst ensuring timely and efficient service in accordance with Neami’s policies, the Victorian Regional Manager will foster local partnerships to improve outcomes for consumers. The Victorian Regional Manager will support Service Mangers and staff to maintain Neami’s culture and commitment to deliver high quality services in line with Neami’s mission, vision and values.

You will have:

• Proven experience in human services management within the mental health sector, and ability to apply a range of management styles and strategies appropriate to the situation.
• Demonstrated strategic and financial acumen.
• Leadership skills and the capacity to manage a multi-disciplinary team in an environment of change.
• Strong commitment to consumer rights and their participation in mental health services.
• High level of ability to form strong partnerships to provide better outcomes for consumers.

For details about this position, contact:

Glen Tobias – State Manager : Victoria – (03) 9481 3277

Position Descriptions and application procedure available on www.neami.org.au

Applications close Friday, 5th March 2010

Compulsive Hoarding: Strategies for Treatment - ADAVIC

The following is from The Anxiety Disorder Association of Victoria (ADAVIC):

‘COMPULSIVE HOARDING’

Strategies for Treatment

A Professional Development Workshop for Mental Health Professionals

14th May 2010

APS endorsed activity (7 Generalist Points)

Presented by

Dr Christopher Mogan, Clinical Psychologist – Member of the APS and of the College of Clinical Psychologists – Director of The Melbourne Clinic in Richmond – Consultant to the Swinburne University of Psychology Clinic

This workshop will be invaluable for:

Any psychologist, case manager, mental health worker and/or social worker assisting clients who hoard and those who are affected by hoarding!

About the Presenter:

Dr Mogan is a well-known Clinical Psychologist presenter at professional training workshops ranging from GP Education and post-graduate lectures to conference seminars and community groups. He is an expert on Compulsive Hoarding and is currently conducting research and treatment programs in the SwinPsyche Research Group at Swinburne University. He presented a key paper on The Psychology of Compulsive Hoarding at the recent Inaugural National Conference on Squalor and Hoarding held in Sydney. Dr Mogan is part of a working group of professionals from various government and non-government agencies - the Department of Human Services, RSPCA Victoria, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the Salvation Army - developing education programs for Compulsive Hoarding as part of the growing awareness of this disabling, costly and poorly understood clinical phenomenon.

This workshop will only be available to 50 participants. If you would like to take part in the program we would encourage you to book early!

Bookings can now be made online on our website.

Bookings close Tuesday the 4th May 2010.

Carer Coping Skills Workshop - ARAFEMI

The following is from ARAFEMI:

Carer Coping Skills Workshop

Tues 23rd February

11am-2pm

This workshop aims to assist carers to explore issues in supporting someone with a mental health issue. Carers will develop self-care skills and feel more confident in communicating in difficult situations. The course also provides assistance with planning, treatment and recovery pathways.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Seminars/Workshops: $5.00 and are facilitated from ARAFEMI’s head office, Ground Floor 270 Auburn Road Hawthorn.

Booking Form

For further information or to book, please contact Carer Helpline 1300550265 or email susan.preece@arafemi.org.au

Employment opportunity - Prahran Mission Employment Program - 3 Positions

Business Development Coordinator

Job Supply Personnel

South Yarra

• Full Time
• $60K + salary
• $16,050 Salary Sacrifice
• Monthly ADO

This exciting new role is for an experienced and enthusiastic Business Development Coordinator. You will be responsible for generating job vacancies, marketing our clients and job service to employers.

Experience in Disability Employment or Job Services Australia would be highly regarded.

The ideal candidate will be mature minded and able to:

• maximise employment opportunities for people with a disability
• develop innovative approaches to engaging with employers
• develop employer data base and marketing material
• work within team environment

Systems Compliance Officer

Job Supply Personnel/Prahran Mission

South Yarra

• Full Time – 4 month contract
• $70K salary pro rata per annum
• Established Employment Service

This new and exciting role will be responsible for assisting staff transition to the new Disability Employment Services (DES) requirements so that we can ensure DEEWR compliance and contractual obligations. Our goal is to ensure that our clients can successfully gain and maintain open award employment.

At Job Supply Personnel, you will have the opportunity to utilise your highly developed leadership skills. Experience in Disability Employment services systems is essential.

The ideal candidate will be mature minded and able to:

• coach a motivated team to work with the new DES IT system requirements
• conduct quality assessments
• ensure DEEWR compliance and contractual obligations are met

Client Services Coordinator/Team Leader

Job Supply Personnel/Prahran Mission

South Yarra

• Full Time
• Salary $60k +
• $16,050 Salary Sacrifice
• Monthly ADO

This a new and exciting role responsible for assisting our clients in gaining and maintaining employment.

At Job Supply Personnel, you will have the opportunity to utilise your highly developed leadership skills. Experience in Disability Employment is essential.

The ideal candidate will be mature minded and able to:

• lead a motivated team to achieve employment and training outcomes
• conduct quality assessments
• conduct Initial client assessments
• ensure DEEWR compliance and contractual obligations are met

To apply for any of the above positions, please send your resume, application letter addressing the selection criteria to andrew@prahranmission.org.au

For a position description, contact Andrew Pappas on 9692 9400. Applications close 26/02/10.

The Building Bridges National Mental Health and Addictions Conference 2010 - Evolving Communities Beyond Services

The following was received from Flow Events (NZ), on behalf of Platform (NZ):

The conference will take place in Wellington, NZ, from 14-16 April 2010.

This is the fifth Building Bridges conference and it promises to once again bring together the latest thinking on community mental health and addiction services.

It's an opportunity to share new research, workshop and collaborate on solutions and meet with the many and varied providers and consumers of services.

A fantastic line-up of inspirational keynote speakers, workshops, panel presentations, flexi-track, artistic exhibition, visual demonstrations - all will enable you to explore the latest thinking on these topics and more.

The conference website has all the information on what's in store for delegates to this conference.

Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria Events

The following was received from the Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria:

Building Hope – Albury/Wodonga and Warrnambool

As a result of the needs we’ve been hearing about for some time now, EDV is making a concerted effort this year to increase our support to those who care for someone with an eating disorder in regional areas of Victoria. We began advertising the Building Hope Workshop in the Albury region towards the end of last year, but unfortunately the response has been quite poor. And due to the low numbers this event has had to be cancelled.

The Building Hope workshop for Warrnambool has since been confirmed and we are hoping for a much stronger response from people in the west of the state. If you’d be interested in attending a workshop which can help you better support your loved one, then please see the attached flyer for more details. Registrations for this workshop close on 15th February, so there’s not much time to get your registration is – so be quick.

For more information, please click here.

Just Launched – Try Mindful Eating Workshop

We have just launched the first Try Mindful Eating Workshop for 2010! It’s to be held in Melbourne on Saturday morning - 17th April. This workshop proved very popular with people last year – both 2009 workshops being booked out in the first few weeks of advertising. So, avoid disappointment and book early for this exciting experience.

For more information, please click here.

ThirdSector Women's Networking Lunch - March 16

From the ThirdSector Women's Networking Lunch website:

16 March 2010, 12.30 - 3.00 pm

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Dress code: business attire

The event will bring together the women of the not-for-profit sector from professional and industry associations, member benefit organisations, community groups, advocacy groups, charities and foundations to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Delicious food, sourced from local and regional producers and farmers, will be served with wines from a variety of boutique and small vineyards across Victoria’s wine regions. The lunch will be opened by Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector. Later, Clare Martin will explain her decision to join the not-for-profit sector and how she managed the transition from political life.

Throughout the afternoon, guests will have the opportunity to move around the room and catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and bid on the quality silent auction items. All profits from the event will be donated to the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA), an Australian not-for-profit that has been creating positive change for women and their communities in the Asia Pacific region for over 20 years.

To register, please click here.

Intuition Workshop - Sunday 21st February

The following was received from ADAVIC:

INTUITION

Workshop – Sunday February 21st, 2010

What is it?

How do you recognise when it’s trying to guide you?

What happens when you tune into it?

What happens when you don’t?

A one-day workshop presented by Jo-Anne Hook, Life & Business Coach & NLP practitioner with 15 years experience in the field of human potential – exploring the role of INTUITION in our lives.

Guest Speaker: Dr Peter Grant, Chiropractor, Wellness Practitioner and cancer survivor will join us for a segment to explore the role of INTUITION in achieving optimum health. He will share more than 20 years experience in the facilitation of health and recovery and guide you through the steps to enhance your innate healing potential.

Venue: The Balwyn Community Centre – 412 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hills

Time: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm – (9.30 am Registration)

Cost: $275 [Early bird special – Book before January 29th and bring a friend for FREE]

Bookings: Jo-Anne Hook Solutions P: 9419 5508 F: 9419 4717 M: 0413 279 098 E: jo@johooksolutions.com.au

We provide: Morning tea and workshop materials

You provide: BYO lunch and Intuitive sense of fun