Articles by Natalie Bottroff

That's a great question!

Article by Natalie Bottroff
Published via LinkedIn, 6 June 2019

A sign of great training is when it provides clear and practical information as well as raising questions from participants. Here's another great question asked recently at Youth Mental Health First Aid training which I delivered to Goodwood Saints Football Club: 'How do video games influence the mental health of adolescents in that diagnosed conditions result from exposure to video games (aged 12–17)? Click here to read the article and learn the surprising results uncovered by the research.

That's a great question!

Article by Natalie Bottroff
Published via LinkedIn, 17 May 2019

In addition to answering questions, our Mental Health First Aid training often raises questions as it really gets participants thinking about the how, what and why of mental health issues. Every question asked means someone wants to gain a deeper understanding and be better equipped to help people experiencing mental health issues. And I'm all for that! Here's a great question asked recently at Youth Mental Health First Aid training which I delivered to Goodwood Saints Football Club: 'What percentage of adolescents with a diagnosed mental illness don't play sport compared with adolescents with a diagnosed mental illness who do play sport (aged 12–17)? Click here to read the article and discover what the research uncovered.

A question of change

Article by Doula Theodosi, Return to Work Consultant
Published via LinkedIn, 26 May 2017

Looking back at the article published on Influencing Return to Work (October 2015), we explored asking great questions and the reasons why this is important. We also acknowledge that, as leaders and managers, we are developing and assisting people to be the best they can be in their practice to achieve return to work outcomes. Our position is often underpinned by the habits and patterns of behaviour we adopt, where sometimes we associate our success with habits that don’t necessarily work well. We become very comfortable with what we know and do in practice. At times, this prevents us from driving our own continuous improvement and assisting others to do the same, and compromises our potential. Read the full article here.

Bradman, Boulder Dam and, of course, Bidomak

Article by Natalie Bottroff
Published via LinkedIn, 20 March 2017

Many years ago my dad asked me to hold onto a box for safe keeping. It contained old newspapers. ... Rummaging through the box, I came across a copy of The Centenary Chronicle of 5 October 1936. Opening the front cover, I am presented with an advertorial for Bidomak titled ‘Nerve Troubles – Positive Relief for Sufferers – Nervy Women and Children’. Obviously, men were not nervy back in 1936. Read the full article here.

Not all reindeer are the same

Article by Doula Theodosi, Principal Master MHFA Instructor
Published via LinkedIn, 21 December 2016

It’s so easy to get caught up in the festive season excitement and celebration that is tradition at this time of year but it is important to recognise that, for some people, the season can also be very difficult. Remember the classic story of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (R. May, 1939). An unhappy and lonely reindeer, Rudolf had a deep sense of worthlessness. He tried to mask his difference by putting mud on his bright red nose. Rudolf never imaged he would be chosen to help Santa. After all, what could he possibly offer? Then one foggy Christmas Eve… See full article here.

 

A little bit unbalanced

Article by Laura Yazbeck, Registered Psychologist
Published via LinkedIn, 29 November 2016

How often do you catch up with a friend or colleague and ask the question, ‘How are you?’ only to hear the answer, ‘So busy!’  If it’s a close relationship, this may even be followed by the subtle cry, ‘I’m exhausted.’ Here are a few lessons on how to manage your wellbeing, particularly in the current 'silly season'. See full article here.

 

And the winner is...

Published via LinkedIn, 10 June 2016

Wikipedia informs me The Tortoise and the Hare (Aesop) was first published in 1668. One reviewer of Carol Jones’ retelling in The Hare and the Tortoise (1996) provides 'The hare is the biggest braggart in the forest. He exercises every day; he can outrun anyone and everyone's just plain sick of him. When he rashly challenges the tortoise to a race, the tortoise decides to teach him a lesson. The old fable is spiced up with psychological details and tied into a bustling social setting.' -Kirkus Reviews. See full article here.

 

The whole person

Published via LinkedIn, 26 February 2016

I was in Big W before Christmas looking at the array of books and saw Rosie Batty's story. Four words on the front cover grabbed my attention: Heartache, Grief, Passion and Purpose. I looked at the book title, A Mother's Story, and I purchased the book. See full article here.

 

Forced or choice - change is inevitable

Published via LinkedIn, 3 February 2016

Forced change, no matter what area of your life it involves, is stressful. Some individuals embrace it while others become bitter at their circumstances. I believe there are three fundamental needs in achieving an outcome when change is required. See full article here.

 

Getting out of the model

Published via LinkedIn, 20 December 2015

Dr Paul Pers (FORE) provided some interesting thoughts to staff at our professional development session last week. In 'Getting the worker out of the medical model - how is this so?', Paul discussed how some injuries require a medical model, such as fractured/broken bones, paraplegia and sever depression (hospital admission). See full article here.

 

To sit or not to sit. There's really no question.

Article by Anita Pipprell, Registered Physiotherapist
Published via LinkedIn, 14 December 2015

If you are reading this, there's a good chance you're sitting down. There's also a good chance that you are one of the 11 million Australians who spend up to 15 hours of their day sitting down. Can't be right? Well, it is actually quite easy to clock up sitting hours when we consider the various things we do each day and the type of postures in which we typically do them. See full article here.

Influencing return to work

Published via LinkedIn, 30 October 2015

The reality is we all want the same thing–to be able to do the things we enjoy, the solution. Yet, at times, we get caught up in the system and it made me think that we need to look for another way. Sometimes we need to look for solutions outside of the normal system. See full article here.

 

We can do better following Mental Health Week

Published via LinkedIn, 14 October 2015

Between home and work today you may have caught the bus or train, came in your car, perhaps rode your bike or even walked. Between home and work today you may have noticed people around you – talking, smiling, laughing, chatting, working or reading the paper, or perhaps they may have been on a coffee break. From the groups of people you may have noticed, one in five adults will experience mental illness this year – one in five – that’s 20% this year, 20% last year and 20% next year. See full article here.