Physiotherapy perspectives on mental health
The evening will start with an overview of the new mental health group in physiotherapy. Topics will include some discussion on attitudes towards mental health, the physio workforce in psychiatry, mental health and social disadvantage, as well as post traumatic stress.There will be a question and answer time afterwards. Attendees are encouraged to send in questions prior to the presentation for discussion (email Ruth Lira: soundbalancephysio1gmail.com).
Start time is 9.00 pm AEST, 7.00 pm WST
Please note: This is a live webinar. Login instructions including link details will be sent to registrants on the day of the event. If login instructions are not received by midday on the day of the lecture to contact us on wa.pd@australian.physio
Presenters
Ruth Lira
Ruth Lira has been working in Private Practice for the last 10 year, and is dedicated to understanding the psychosocial impact of injuries and motivate clients towards a better physical and mental health & wellbeing, and a meaningful life. Her work experiences include working with balance/ vestibular disorders, War Veterans and motor/ work vehicle injuries, and general musculoskeletal injuries, including monthly physiotherapy services to some wheatbelt towns where support are intermittent. She is involved in the WA mental health committee and presented on Post traumatic stress, amongst other topics. She has a special interest in working with performing artists, including singers and musicians and is currently doing post-graduation studies in “Performing Arts Medicine, with a particular interest in performance anxiety and the biopsychosocial effects of injuries in this population.
Joanne Connaughton
Associate Professor Jo Connaughton is the previous Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Mental Health Special Interest Group and ex-Secretary of the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Mental Health (IOPTMH). In July 2018 Jo Connaughton stepped down from Dean, School of Physiotherapy at University of Notre Dame Australia following a physiotherapy career spanning over 40 years including. In her 30 years of clinical work Jo practiced in almost all aspects of physiotherapy in metropolitan and regional WA, working with people from across the lifespan in both public and private settings including acute mental health. As Discipline Leader in an acute mental health facility Jo worked predominately with people aged between 18 and 65, however, also worked with older adults and supervised physiotherapists working in the psychogeriatric units. Jo joined the University in 2007 and in semi-retirement now teaches undergraduate students pathophysiology, presentation and treatment of mental health conditions. She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor and advocates for this to be included in undergraduate degrees. Jo's research in the mental health field includes exploring attitudes of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students towards mental health and psychiatry and more recently how these are influenced by inclusion of Mental Health First Aid training in undergraduate programs. Jo has also researched headaches experienced by people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and has presented her research findings at National and International Conferences.
Eleanor Andrew
Ellie graduated with honours from Curtin University in 2018. She completed her honours thesis in the area of mental health, and published her paper with the Journal of Physiotherapy in 2019. Ellie is currently working as a physiotherapist at Royal Perth Hospital, and wishes to continue research and involvement in the area of mental health.
Susan Edgar
Susan Edgar has been involved in the education and training of healthcare students and clinicians for over 20 years. Research areas include mental health literacy, student motivation and engagement and health workforce retention and job satisfaction. In 2016 Susan won a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in the Australian Awards for University Teaching, for implementing and promoting life-long wellness and self-management strategies to enhance the mental health, confidence and emotional wellbeing of physiotherapy students on clinical placement. She continues to deliver Mental Health First Aid Training to physiotherapists across Australia and has recently finished co-writing the Level 1 Mental Health course for physiotherapists. In May 2021, she commenced as Program Coordinator for ECU's Student and Staff Mental Health Strategy, coordinating a range of actions supporting student and staff mental health and wellbeing. She also volunteers weekly as a crisis supporter for Lifeline WA
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