Dóchas Podcast by the Irish Support Agency

Una McCrossan
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Monthly

Tune into the Irish Support Agency's Dóchas Podcast. A podcast designed to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the Irish Community in Australia. Each session will explore a different aspect of health and wellbeing, guided by the latest evidence and facilitated by an expert in the field.

  1. 10/14/2025

    Dóchas - Let's talk Gambling

    Gambling is deeply woven into Australian culture, from sports betting and pokies to online casinos, and while many people engage casually, Australia also records some of the highest gambling participation rates in the world. For members of the Irish community, this can be particularly confronting. In Ireland, gambling is not as visible or widespread, which can leave Irish migrants especially vulnerable to the risks here in Australia. In this webinar, we explore the reality of gambling in Australia and unpack the factors that make it so widespread. We are delighted to be joined by Dr. Kate Fennessy, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the St. Vincent’s Hospital Gamble Aware Program. Dr. Kate shares insights into how gambling addiction develops, what’s happening in the brain, and the risk factors that leave some people more vulnerable than others. We also discuss the far-reaching impacts, from financial stress to relationship breakdowns, mental health struggles, and even suicide risk. Importantly, we highlight early warning signs to look out for and share practical advice on how to support a loved one without pushing them away. You hear about the treatment options and supports available in Australia. Whether you’re personally affected, supporting someone you care about, or simply want to understand this important issue more deeply, this webinar offers valuable knowledge, practical takeaways, and a message of hope: recovery is possible, and help is always available.

    52 min

  2. 12/03/2024

    Dóchas - Embracing Christmas in Australia

    Christmas is synonymous with home, family and tradition. But not everyone can be home for Christmas.Our feelings of homesickness can intensify during the festive season, this is because home is more than just a geographical location. Often, our sense of home refers to the people, the food and the sense of familiarity, safety and connection we find there. But while this time of year can be difficult if you’re spending it away from family for the first time, there are many things you can do to get through it.

    32 min

  3. 11/07/2024

    Dóchas - Understanding and destigmatising loneliness

    Join us as we explore the epidemic of loneliness, why we feel shame to admit that we are lonely, the importance of connection, and how we can seek out connection in adulthood despite a fear of rejection. Humans have a fundamental need to form and maintain supportive interpersonal relationships. When this need goes unmet, people may experience a variety of negative consequences, including loneliness. People who feel lonely often are ashamed to admit it. They think it’s equivalent to admitting that they are not likeable or that they’re socially insufficient in some way. As expats, our sense of loneliness can be exacerbated by our lack of familial support and friendships. Often, the advice given is to put yourself 'out there', and while that is important, it is also important to acknowledge that for some people, this isn't easy. So if we are experiencing a fear of rejection or social anxiety, how can we connect with others in a meaningful way?

    57 min

  4. 10/15/2024

    Dóchas - Existing in the in-between

    A conversation about the uncertainties of life, balancing between the familiar comforts of home and the new experiences in Australia, and the challenge of committing to long-term decisions as an expat. The in-betweens are the moments we’re unsure—of who we are, where we’re going, what we should be doing next. Existing in the in-betweens means finding a way to let go of all the expectations that we had created in ourselves and replacing them with new dreams and goals. It means building a new road map as life shifts. An issue many face after leaving Ireland. Join us as we share our shared experiences, and for those who have navigated this journey, how did they come out the other side?

    54 min
  5. Dóchas - Accessing mental health support

    09/05/2024

    Dóchas - Accessing mental health support

    Dóchas is back for a new season! To kick off the new season, we’re taking it back to basics. With the growing number of Irish people relocating to Australia, navigating the country’s complex mental health system can be challenging. Join us as we explore the support options available to you,  with or without Medicare.  We'll also delve into the different types of mental health services on offer, from Psychiatry and Psychology to Counselling and Psychotherapy. No matter your personal circumstances, tune in to uncover the paths that might be right for you.  Click here to access the resources discussed in this episode - https://www.irishsupportagency.org.au/other-mental-health-supports

    51 min

  6. 02/06/2024

    Dóchas - Reflections on Alcohol; Pt 2

    We are returning to further reflect on our relationship with alcohol. Our last episode really seemed to resonate with the community and so as a New Year begins, we wanted to continue this conversation. Alcohol can not only affect our physical health, but it can also significantly affect our mental health and emotional wellbeing. When the morning after comes, we can be riddled with the ‘fear’ and anxiety, and we ask ourselves, is it really worth it? Some people may drink alcohol to relax or help cope with daily stresses; however, alcohol is a depressant drug that can cause anxiety and increase stress. Some people may drink to increase the confidence and reduce social anxiety, some people drink just for the sake of it on a night out. But excessive social drinking can lead to a world of problems when alcohol can negatively affect thoughts, feelings and actions, and contribute to the development of, or worsen, existing mental health issues over time. We are joined by Hazel and Ollie, who have their own personal and story with alcohol to share. We will dig deep, and find out why they have chosen to give up alcohol, what problem drinking looked like for them, and how their life has changed since giving up. Show notes: App: https://iamsober.com/en/site/home Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/learning-as-i-go/id1613155026 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/millie-mackintosh-on-quitting-drinking-perfectionism/id1295306961?i=1000634227571 Supports: https://align56.com/

    50 min

  7. 12/05/2023

    Festive Finances

    As 2023 comes to a close, many of us will be feeling the pinch financially, with the cost of living rising. So with this in mind, we will be joined by Jessica Brady, a leading licensed financial adviser in Australia and has over 17 yrs experience in the Financial Services industry, working with some of the biggest names in finance including, Macquarie Bank, CBA and Zurich. Recently she launched, The Greenhouse -an online program designed to make accessing affordable financial programs jargon free, stigma free and fun! We will be exploring why Christmas time induces us to spend more money and how can we set boundaries with ourself and others when it comes to Christmas spending.   If you have taken a big hit financially in 2023, we will look at how can we look towards our financial future in 2024 without dread and anxiety.

    57 min

  8. 11/28/2023

    Trauma - The Long Shadow

    The original recording was a webinar, hence the reference to slides, the audio content is still very worthwhile. If you would like to see the slides used, please go to the Youtube epsiode. Unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our lives, leaving a profound and enduring impact on our emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. The wounds of the past can manifest in various ways, from persistent anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem to difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. These unresolved experiences may influence our coping mechanisms, leading to maladaptive behaviours such as substance abuse or self-destructive patterns. Additionally, trauma can affect our ability to trust and connect with others, hindering our capacity for intimacy and often perpetuating a cycle of isolation. For this episode, we are joined by psychotherapist Helen O’Byrne, who has a practice in Neutral Bay and works with clients from many backgrounds and walks of life,. Helen has a deep understanding how unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our lives. Helen helps us to understand what trauma actually looks like and what we can begin to do in our adult lives to address this and start to move forward. Show notes: ; Helen O'Byrne - helen@elysianpsychotherapy.com.au Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EEmmIJ6cXY Recommended Books: Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine PHD The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD The Myth of Normal - Gabor Mate, MD Waking The Tiger - Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine PHD

    1h 15m
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Tune into the Irish Support Agency's Dóchas Podcast. A podcast designed to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the Irish Community in Australia. Each session will explore a different aspect of health and wellbeing, guided by the latest evidence and facilitated by an expert in the field.

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