Mental Health Nursing Now: Evidence and Practice

Jenny Hamilton
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  • Mental Health

Mental Health Nursing Now: Evidence and Practice brings you updates on recent research within mental health nursing and dives into all things mental health nursing practice.

Episodes

  1. 08/16/2025

    Recovery in the Courts: A Conversation with Teri Ekanayake

    Join me as I sit down with Teri Ekanayake to explore her remarkable journey in mental health nursing which began in England and has led to her current role as Nurse Manager of a Mental Health Court in Australia. From bedside care to the courtroom, Teri reveals how her international experience and diverse clinical background prepared her for leadership in this innovative field. She shares insights into the critical importance of therapeutic jurisprudence and discusses how communities should support and invest in these transformative services. In this conversation, we explore the intersection of healthcare and justice which provides care for some of the most vulnerable populations within the legal system. Whether you're interested in specialised mental health roles, international nursing practice or the evolving landscape of therapeutic justice, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how nursing is driving meaningful change.

    33 min

  2. 05/28/2025

    Advancing Mental Health Nursing: A Conversation with Professor Rhonda Wilson

    In this episode, come and sit with Professor Rhonda Wilson, Professor of Mental Health Nursing and President of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Professor Wilson shares her story of entering into nursing to leading the peak professional body for mental health nurses in Australia. As a Wiradjuri descendant and passionate advocate for cultural safety, Professor Wilson describes how we can develop cultural competency beginning with curiosity and courteousness. This episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of clinical practice, research excellence and professional advocacy within mental health nursing. In this episode - link to the ACMHN Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses

    1h 5m

  3. 04/11/2025

    Safewards: A Conversation with Geoff Brennan

    Join me as I chat with Geoff Brennan, Safewards Clinical Supervisor, to talk about the Safewards modeland its implementation. Geoff is a dedicated dual trained Mental Health and Learning Disability Nurse from Northern Ireland, with over thirty-five years clinical practice experience. Geoff was involved in the initial Safewards Randomised Control Trial and has continued to deliver training and presentations onSafewards internationally. Geoff’s passion for consumer involvement and improved relationships between mental health nursesand those we care for is evident. Having previously ran a service user founded charting “Bright”, he continues to advocate for allyship between nurses and patients. Within the episode Geoff mentions some research publications which look into the consumers experience of Safewards - here is a link to the recent study authored by Antony Mullen and colleagues within the International Journalof Mental Health Nursing: Understanding the Consumers' Experiences of Safewards: A Qualitative Exploratory Study - Mullen - 2025 - International Journal of Mental Health Nursing - Wiley OnlineLibrary

    1h 3m

  4. 03/11/2025

    Women's health advocacy to action: A conversation with Dannielle Orifici

    Join me as I sit down with Dannielle Orifici, a distinguished nurse leader and Co-Director for Women's Health, Genetics and Mental Health at the Women and Newborn Health service in Perth, Western Australia. Dannielle shares her stories from her nursing journey and provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of women's healthcare. Dannielle's extensive experience spans various acute mental health services across the North Metropolitan Health Service. With a postgraduate degree in Leadership and Management and her role as a Justice of the Peace, she brings a unique perspective to her advocacy work for women's mental health, reproductive rights, and birth trauma support. In our conversation, we explore the diverse range of services available across the state which Danielle manages, including the Women and Newborn Health Service mental health program, Genetic Health WA, Sexual Assault Resource Centre, Women's Health Strategy programs, WA Cervical Screening Prevention Program, and BreastScreen WA. Dannielle shares her passion for ensuring women have choices in their healthcare journey including complex care management for women at Women and Newborn Health Service. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion about the challenges and innovations in women's mental health, the importance of advocating for those without a strong voice in our community, and the future direction of specialised nursing care.

    38 min

  5. 02/05/2025

    From Emergency Department to Nurse Practitioner: A Conversation with Carrie Merrick

    Join Jenny Hamilton in a conversation with Carrie Merrick, an experienced mental health nurse who recently completed her nurse practitioner course. With 24 years of clinical practice, Carrie shares her journey from emergency department and mental health liaison to private practice. Through her career Carrie shares how mentors and colleagues supported her growth throughout her career and discusses her passion for paying this forward and inspiring the next generation of mental health nurses. Through her experiences and vision for the future, Carrie offers insights into how mental health nurses can develop their practice and create meaningful change in healthcare.

    48 min

  6. 01/10/2025

    Inside Consultation Liaison: A Conversation with Julie Sharrock

    Join me for this episode where I sit down with Julie Sharrock and learn about her experience as a Consultation Liaison Clinical Nurse Consultant. Julie began nursing in 1977, commencing as a general and then intensive care nurse. Since 1987 her focus has been on mental health nursing, with experience in both general and specialist mental health. In 1997 she developed the Mental Health Nurse Consultant role in a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry team and has a passion for improving the mental health care of general hospital patients. Julie enrolled in her PhD in 2020and her research focuses on the contribution of mental health nurses within Consultation Liaison Psychiatry on patient care and outcomes of general hospital patients who experience mental health conditions. During her career, she has spent 38 years in clinical practice. Since 2017 she has been self-employed as a Mental Health Nurse Consultant, Clinical Supervisor and Educator. She enjoys providing clinical supervision to nurses and midwives, supporting and giving back to the profession that has given her so much.

    46 min

  7. 12/30/2024

    All nurses are Mental Health Nurses? A look at the literature.

    Join me for the last episode of 2024 where I explore mental health nursing. This podcast began as a means to showcase the varied roles available within mental health nursing and provide a space to discuss research and evidence based mental health nursing practice. As a Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Nurse Lecturer I am passionate about developing the current and future nursing workforce. So, given this podcast is all about mental health nursing, let's look at the seemingly simple question, what is a mental health nurse? Within this episode I will discuss what a mental health nurse is - largely based on literature published over the year within the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. Thank you for listening and a happy new year! - Articles which informed the content of this episode: Damien, C., Marion, D.-H., Deborah, S. & Margot, M. (2024) Professional identity and representations of advanced practice nurses specialising in psychiatry and mental health: A national study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 33, 714–725. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13273 Foster, K. and Hurley, J. (2024), Every Nurse Is Not a Mental Health Nurse—Critical Reflections on Myths and Controversies About Mental Health Nursing. Int J Mental Health Nurs, 33: 737-738. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13389 Hudson, E., Pariseau-Legault, P., Cassivi, C., Chouinard, C. and Goulet, M.-H. (2024), Mental Health Crisis: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis. Int J Mental Health Nurs, 33: 1908-1920. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13412 Lakeman, R., Foster, K., Happell, B., Hazelton, M., Moxham, L. & Hurley, J. (2024) Informing the development of a fit-for-purpose mental health nursing curriculum: A survey of mental health nurse academics in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 33, 93–103. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13226 O'Brien, A. (2024), Schrödinger's Cat: The Mysteries of Mental Health Nursing. Int J Mental Health Nurs, 33: 1155-1157. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13416 Wand, T. (2024), We have to cancel psychiatric nursing and forge a new way forward. Int J Mental Health Nurs, 33: 215-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13301 Warrender, D. (2024), The Memoir of a Ghost: The Invisible Plight of Mental Health Nurse Education in the United Kingdom Following the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Move Towards Genericism. Int J Mental Health Nurs, 33: 2386-2393. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13405

    27 min

  8. 12/16/2024

    Bridging the Distance in Rural Mental Health: A Conversation with Professor Martin Jones

    During this episode I had the privilege to speak with Professor Martin Jones, whose career spans from the UK to rural Australian healthcare. Our conversation explores the power of psychosocial interventions and innovative approaches to improving mental health service access in rural and remote regions. As well as provide key insights from Martin's extensive research and practical experience. Martin shares his journey from bedside nursing to research and governance, into academia, where he has been developing evidence-based mental health training programs and expanding healthcare access in underserved communities. This episode offers valuable perspectives on bridging the rural-urban healthcare divide and making mental health support more accessible through innovative education and service delivery models.

    34 min

  9. 12/10/2024

    Beyond the Band-Aid: What is a School Nurse? A Conversation with Dr Anita Moyes

    In today's episode I sit down with Dr Anita Moyes to discuss the critical role school nurses play in supporting students' wellbeing. Including the 'tiktok-ification' of mental disorders and the role social and physical environments play on shaping young people's mental health throughout their developmental journey. This episode offers important insights on the role of school nurses and provides listeners with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in supporting youth wellbeing in today's digital age. Whether you're a healthcare professional, educator, parent, or simply interested in child development and mental health, this episode offers valuable insights into the crucial intersection of school nursing and youth wellbeing.

    49 min

  10. 12/03/2024

    Unraveling the realities of forensic mental health nursing: A conversation with Dr Lesley Barr

    Join me for a conversation with Dr. Lesley Barr, an experienced forensic mental health nurse, clinical leader and researcher. Lesley shares insights from her career journey, exploring the unique challenges and considerations within this specialist area of mental health nursing. From navigating the delicate balance between care and security, to the latest research on restrictive practices, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of the complexities and nuances of forensic mental health nursing. Gain a deeper understanding of the critical role these nurses play in supporting individuals with mental health issues who have come into contact with the justice system. This episode offers a rare glimpse into a field that is often misunderstood, shedding light on workforce considerations and the complex decision making required to promote safety within secure environments.

    58 min

  11. 11/25/2024

    Leading Innovation in Eating Disorder Treatment: A Conversation with Maria Garland

    Today we talk with Maria, an experienced mental health nurse currently working as a Clinical Nurse Consultant in a Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service, Maria shares her journey and deep commitment to this specialised field. From her early nursing days to her current role combining clinical leadership and research, Maria offers valuable insights into the complexities of eating disorder treatment. She discusses the unique challenges and rewards of working with young people and their families, and highlights the critical importance of comprehensive care. Maria's passion for improving eating disorder services shines through as she shares her experiences and vision for advancing care in this field. She provides a fascinating glimpse into the vital role nurses play in supporting recovery and promoting positive outcomes for young people with eating disorders.

    42 min

  12. 11/14/2024

    Breaking Barriers in Student Mental Health: A Conversation with Dawn Reid

    In this special episode kicking off our series on mental health nursing careers, we meet Dawn Reid, a mental health nurse and educator who coordinates The Living Room, an innovative mental health service at Edith Cowan University. Dawn shares her journey from general to mental health nursing, reflecting on what drew her to the field and what continues to inspire her today. Drawing from her clinical experience and academic background, Dawn discusses her current work making mental health support more accessible for university students, and offers valuable insights for those considering a career in mental health nursing. Join us for this engaging conversation on mental health nursing, and discover how practitioners like Dawn are reshaping mental health support in higher education.

    31 min
  • 12 Episodes

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Mental Health Nursing Now: Evidence and Practice brings you updates on recent research within mental health nursing and dives into all things mental health nursing practice.

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