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Health News

Prevention and early intervention critical to ending the cycle of family mental illness

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Federal Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payments

Prevention and early intervention critical to ending the cycle of family mental illness

An international group of researchers led by Monash University have developed a series of principles and recommendations to assist children whose parents are living with a mental illness.

The team of researchers have found that due to a range of factors, children whose parent/s have a mental illness are at risk for their own mental health problems and recommend that mental health services deliver support for the whole family and not only to individuals.

Children whose parents have mental illness are between two to 13 times more likely to develop a mental illness themselves, to be less school-ready, to present with higher rates of physical injury, more likely to be taken into care, and more likely to develop health conditions such as asthma.

Professor Andrea Reupert, from the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, says children whose parents have mental illnesses are among the most vulnerable in our communities.

“Currently the delivery of evidence-based interventions to support these children have been limited by a lack of adequate support structures. We believe a major service reorientation is required to better meet the needs of these vulnerable children and their families. Accordingly, we’ve outlined a number of recommendations for practice, organisational and systems change to enable this,” said Professor Reupert.

The key recommendations outlined in the position paper, which was recently published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, include:

Child and adolescent-orientated services need to ask whether parents of clients have mental health concerns, ascertain the impact of the parent’s illness on the child, engage with parents to identify, and respond to, their needs and/or initiate and coordinate agency referrals for them
Adult orientated services should identify parenting status, engage with clients in their parenting role and responsibilities, engage with clients’ children to identify, and respond appropriately to their needs and/or initiate and coordinate agency referrals for children
Child and adolescent as well as adult-oriented services need to assess family strengths and needs, including the quality and quantity of family supports, parenting strengths and vulnerabilities, provide age-appropriate information about the parent’s mental illness to children, parents and other family members and consult with children and other family members when or if the parent is hospitalised, and monitor and follow up with of children and other family members, especially at key developmental milestones
Professor Darryl Maybery, from the Monash School of Rural Health in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, says current practices need a complete overhaul so mental health support services are based on family needs rather than individualistic models of care.

“The paper specifically outlines the critical need for appropriate prevention and early intervention initiatives to be provided to children and parents living with parental mental illness. We provide clear direction to inform workforce and systemic change,” said Professor Maybery.

Professor Kim Foster, from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine at the Australian Catholic University, says the paper directly addresses recommendations from the National Mental Health Productivity Commission Report and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, to provide child and adult mental health services that better meet the needs of these children and families.

“Applying the principles and recommendations from the paper will help services improve the quality of life and outcomes for children and families living with parental mental illness,” said Professor Foster.

Representing seven countries, the 24 authors of the position paper are research experts in the field of parental mental illness and are part of the Prato Collaborative for Change in Parent and Child Mental Health, which aims to contribute to the evidence base for these children and families and promote change at clinician, workforce, and systems levels.

To view the research paper, please visit: https://bit.ly/3ifJXNq

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Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Opening Easter Weekend

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Dr Amy - Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Opening Easter Weekend

 

ADVERTORIAL

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head opens this Easter Weekend to help people suffering with joint and body pain. Dr Amy Rayner is the Principal Chiropractor and owner and hopes to fill the gap in the community for leading edge Chiropractic care.

Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

After Easter, Dr Amy will be travelling from her home in Goondiwindi, Queensland every fortnight to treat patients on a Sunday and Monday.

“I realised when I came down on my regular visits to spend time with my parents, Ron and Liz who live here, that there were a lot of local people and visitors that were in Evans Head on the weekends. I also know that when you work all week, it’s difficult to find time to attend to your health. So I decided to open my doors every second Sunday 10am – 6pm and Monday 9am – 2pm.”

The clinic is located in the treatment room inside Hair and Beauty by the Beach which is in the main street of Evans Head.

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Advertisement

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head

We sat down with Dr Amy to ask a few questions.

What is a Chiropractic? Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes a  Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

How does a Chiropractic Adjustment work? The Chiropractor uses their hands to apply a quick, safe and small movement to your joints and this results in reduced pain, easier movement of your body and stronger muscles.

What makes the cracking/ popping sound? Each joint in our body has a surrounding joint capsule that is filled with synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is as slippery as an ice-skate on ice and contains dissolved gas. When an Chiropractic Adjustment is applied to the joint it causes the gas to diffuse out of the capsule and this often makes a cracking or popping sound. This gas then diffuses back into the capsule. It is important to note that it is not that cracking that makes a good Chiropractic Adjustment, but the return to normal glide that give the pain relief.

What if you don’t like the cracking noise? That is ok, you are in charge of your treatment type, and we can do alternative methods such as mobilisations, which are a rhythmic stretching treatment or the use of an instrument such as an activator.

What issues do you treat? I can treat any painful joint in your neck, middle back and lower back and other joints in your arms and legs. I also treat headaches such as migraines and tension headaches.

Do I need an x-ray? Not necessarily and it is certainly not routine to do x-rays on every patient. If you have suffered a car accident at high speed or a sports injury for example, it may be indicated that you have x-ray or other advanced imaging. I can refer for medicare covered plain film x-ray for neck, middle back, low back and pelvis issues as well as DEXA scans for bone density issues or EOS imaging for scoliosis monitoring.

Do you offer any other treatments? Yes, I offer Dry Needling (like acupuncture), sports taping, pre-surgery rehabilitation and post surgery rehabilitation for joint replacement surgery.

Where did you study? I studied a Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic)/ Bachelor Clinical Chiropractic (5 year degree) at Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia

Do you treat babies and children? I do not treat babies or Children under 5 years of age, but I can refer you to a Chiropractor that specialises in babies and children.

Do you treat pregnant women? Yes I can treat and support pregnant women throughout their pregnancy safely.

 

For more Evans Head news, click here.

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COVID Casts a Long Shadow

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Covid-19 Impact

COVID Casts a Long Shadow

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably left a profound and lasting impact on societies worldwide, casting a long shadow that continues to influence our daily lives, economies, and collective psyche. As we navigate the complex challenges and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, its effects reverberate across multiple facets of our existence, shaping our present realities and shaping the trajectory of our future.

Healthcare Crisis

First and foremost, COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities within healthcare systems globally, testing their resilience and capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The overwhelming influx of patients, shortages of medical supplies and personnel, and the strain on healthcare infrastructure have underscored the need for robust preparedness and proactive measures to address future health crises effectively.

Economic Disruption

The pandemic has unleashed unprecedented economic disruption, triggering widespread job losses, business closures, and financial instability. Supply chain disruptions, reduced consumer spending, and fluctuations in global markets have exacerbated economic inequalities and pushed millions into poverty, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive recovery strategies and support mechanisms for vulnerable populations.

Social Impacts

Socially, COVID-19 has brought about profound shifts in how we interact, communicate, and connect with one another. Physical distancing measures, lockdowns, and travel restrictions have reshaped social norms and behaviors, leading to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and mental health challenges. The pandemic has also laid bare existing social inequities, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities and exacerbating underlying societal divisions.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably left a profound and lasting impact on societies worldwide, casting a long shadow that continues to influence our daily lives, economies, and collective psyche.

Educational Transformation

The education sector has undergone rapid transformation in response to the pandemic, with widespread school closures and the adoption of remote learning modalities. While technology has enabled continuity of learning, the digital divide has widened, exacerbating disparities in access to quality education and exacerbating existing educational inequalities.

Environmental Repercussions

Despite temporary reductions in pollution levels during lockdowns, the pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness of human health and the environment. Zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 highlight the risks associated with habitat destruction, wildlife trade, and unsustainable land-use practices, emphasising the need for a more holistic approach to environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation.

Resilience and Adaptation

Amidst the challenges posed by COVID-19, stories of resilience, innovation, and community solidarity have emerged, demonstrating humanity’s capacity to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity. From frontline healthcare workers risking their lives to save others to grassroots initiatives providing essential support to vulnerable populations, the pandemic has sparked acts of compassion, empathy, and collective action.

As we continue to grapple with the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, it is imperative that we draw upon the lessons learned from this crisis to forge a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient future. By prioritising investments in public health infrastructure, fostering social cohesion, promoting economic recovery strategies that prioritise inclusivity and sustainability, and addressing systemic inequities, we can emerge from the shadow of COVID-19 stronger, more united, and better prepared to confront the challenges of tomorrow.

 

For more health news, click here.

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Gut microbiome and gene editing projects share in $3 million research funding

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Gut microbiome and gene editing

Gut microbiome and gene editing projects share in $3 million research funding

 

Dementia Australia

Exploring how the gut microbiome may be key to the early diagnosis and development of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and combining gene editing technology with artificial intelligence are just two of the projects to receive funding from the Dementia Australia Research Foundation’s 2023 Grant Round.

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation today announced funding for 24 projects in the 2023 Grants Program, worth more than $3 million in total.

Macquarie University post-doctoral fellow Dr Pradeep Manuneedhi Cholan received the Race Against Dementia – Dementia Australia Research Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship to study how the gut microbiome impacts the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Established in 2020 by racing legend and Dementia Australia Patron Sir Jackie Stewart OBE’s Race Against Dementia charity and the Dementia Australia Research Foundation, the Fellowship supports early career researchers in the field of dementia prevention or treatment.

“The gut is often referred to as our ‘second brain’ as it can control our emotions, stress response and cognition. Previous research has shown that the metabolites produced by bacterial species in the gut can impact inflammation in the brain, which can either exacerbate or alleviate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr Cholan said.

“What is not known is specifically how the metabolites produced by different types of gut bacteria can regulate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease which is what I will be focusing on with this project.

“If successful, this project will pave the way for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and aid in the development of new drug treatments. It could also allow for better management of Alzheimer’s disease by analysing the gut composition of patients and providing them with lifestyle-based interventions tailored to their particular microbiome.”

Sir Jackie Stewart said Race Against Dementia prides itself on finding new ways of doing business.

“We are very pleased to welcome Pradeep to the team as his commitment and ingenuity are essential tools that will assist us to find new avenues for treatments to challenge dementia in the fullest sense,” Sir Jackie said.

Dr Caitlin Finney, from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, will receive a Dementia Research Community Project Grant for a project that combines artificial intelligence and gene editing technology to develop better targeted treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

“We know that genetic differences in our DNA might play a role in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Using a type of artificial intelligence called supervised machine learning, we have identified two genetic mutations that show up commonly in people living with late onset Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr Finney said.

“What this grant will enable us to do is to collect skin samples from people living with Alzheimer’s disease and use these cells to grow mini-brains in the lab. Using a gene editing technique called CRISPR-Cas9, we will be able to insert and remove the genetic mutations we have identified.

“This will allow us to learn new ways to keep our brains healthy as we get older. This knowledge can also help clinicians treat Alzheimer’s disease in a personalised way, where we correct the effects of DNA mutations with targeted treatments. If we find the real reasons why Alzheimer’s disease develops, we may even be able to prevent it from starting.”

Dementia Australia Research Foundation Chair Professor Graeme Samuel AC congratulated all successful 2023 grant recipients.

“The diversity of projects selected shows we have a very exciting future for dementia research,” Professor Samuel said.

“With dementia affecting almost 50 million people worldwide, research into dementia is now more urgent than ever.”

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation acknowledges the generosity of donors who contribute each and every year to support dementia research and the grants program. Since the Dementia Grants Program started in 2000, over $31 million in funding has supported more than 380 projects.

The full list of grant recipients is available here.

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation is the research arm of Dementia Australia, which provides funding to support new and emerging dementia researchers.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit here.

 

For more National Australia News, visit here.

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