Below are links to some websites you may find useful:
Eating Disorders
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The Butterfly Foundation
http://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/
A website supporting Australians suffering from eating disorders; Butterfly also has a Support Line on 1800334673.
Connect.ed
A one stop shop for those with eating disorders to find credentialed eating disorder treatment providers
NEDC
NEDC is a government initiative providing information for those with eating disorders, carers and professionals about eating disorders.
Maudsley Parents
http://www.maudsleyparents.org/
Information for parents using family-based treatment to help their teen.
FEAST
http://www.feast-ed.org/FEAST.aspx
Information for sufferers and carers on a range of issues related to eating disorders. Under “Forum” a forum titled Around the Dinner Table is a helpful forum for carers who want to get in touch with others.
Positive Body Image for teens
http://www.newmovesonline.com/materials.html
Information for teens as well as for parents on how to talk to young people about body image to provide positive messages about food and body acceptance.
Feed Your Instinct
http://www.feedyourinstinct.com.au/
Information for parents who are concerned their young person might be developing a problem with food/eating/body related issues.
Eva Musby's YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/evamusby
Information for parents with some great "how to" videos providing support on feeding and supporting a young person with an eating disorder.
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Trauma
At Ease
A web portal for veterans suffering from PTSD
The Blue Knot Foundation
Supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.
Depression/Anxiety
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Beyond Blue
Information for sufferers and carers across a range of issues related to depression.
The Black Dog Institute
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Information about mood disorders including depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders.
Mood Gym
An online Self-help programme for depression.
My Compass
Online self help programme for people struggling with depression, run and designed by The Black Dog Institute.
OXCADAT
Resources for CBT for PISD, social anxiety, anxiety and panic disorders.
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Smiling Mind
Self help resources for those with symptoms of anxiety and depression.
https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
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Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
A great website with information about ACT and mindfulness downloads.
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The Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) is a joint facility of the University of New South Wales and St Vincents Hospital in Sydney Australia. It combines clinical and research expertise in the recognition and treatment of the anxiety and depressive disorders.
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Youth websites
Headspace
Australia's national mental health online initiative.
Somazone
A good website addressing questions across a range of teen concerns including mental health issues
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LGBTIQA+
CHARLEE
Free LGBTIQA+ Digital Resource
CHARLEE is a suicide prevention hub made by LGBTIQA+ people who have thought about suicide, lived through suicide attempts, supported others in distress and live with the pain of loss through suicide. This online resource created by Switchboard, provides information on supporting yourself, supporting someone you love, or support with bereavement.
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QLife
Free Australia wide LGBTIQ+ service
https://qlife.org.au/resources/chat
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Switchboard is the proud Victorian partner of QLife.
Rainbow Door
https://www.rainbowdoor.org.au
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline run by Switchboard – providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
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Neurodivergent
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Understanding the Neurodivergent Nervous System: A neurodivergent brain experiences a heightened response to information (e.g., Edmiston et al; Patriquin, 2019), which can produce a greater attention to certain aspects of the environment. This can lead to frequent stress responses: such as flight (felt as wanting to get away, withdrawing), fight (feeling cross/angry), or freeze (dissociated, distracted head/hard to think, shutdown). Understanding the benefits and challenges of how your mind works will allow the development of strategies to minimise and or manage the occurrence of the overload. See here for more information: The Autistic and ADHD Nervous System - Dr Megan Neff
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Executive Function Issues: It is common for neurodivergent people to experience a range of difficulties with aspects of executive functioning (e.g., difficulties around attention, organisation, focus, working memory, problem-solving, planning, reasoning, initiation, transitioning, cognitive flexibility), which will differ between individuals. Learning about these and working on supports with a psychologist and occupational therapist will be helpful and increase self-organisation, prioritisation of tasks, setting and achieving goals, and solving daily problems. See here for information on executive functions: Executive functioning problems in adults https://www.additudemag.com/executive-function-disorder-in-adults-symptoms/
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Monotropism: Autistics (and to some degree ADHDers) experience a narrower and deeper orientation towards their interests, which is called monotropism, which leads to tendencies to focus intensely on something or have no interest in it at all. Whilst a monotropic orientation often results in in-depth knowledge and skill in areas of interest, it can make completing mundane tasks (e.g., administration, housework, paperwork) extremely challenging. See here for more information: What is Monotropism What is Monotropism? https://embrace-autism.com/monotropism/
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Sensory sensitivities: Increased sensitivity to sensory input, such as loud or repetitive noises, bright lights, being around too many people, strong smells, and sensations on the skin can be experienced by Autistics as painful, exhausting, and overwhelming. Sensory overwhelm can lead to emotional dysregulation (e.g., meltdowns, shutdowns), exhaustion (e.g., battery drained, increased burnout symptoms), and can interfere significantly with daily activities and community engagement (e.g., going to the shops, cafes, place of work, attending events, being social). See here for more information: Sensory Issues in Adults Sensory Issues in Adults https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/sensory-issues-in-adults
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Difficulty with Labelling and Regulating Emotions: Neurodivergent people often find it difficult to identify, describe, and label emotions, which can lead to frequent difficulties with regulation (e.g., overwhelm, burnout, low motivation, meltdowns, shutdowns). Learning how to work in this area will be something you do with your mental health Clinician. See here for more information: The Tale of Emotional Dysregulation and a Meltdown The Tale of Emotional Dysregulation and a Meltdown https://embrace-autism.com/a-tale-of-dysregulation-and-a-meltdown/​
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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): Many neurodivergent people experience RSD in their interactions with others due to experiencing things in childhood and adulthood like bullying and rejection due to their difference. If you suffer from RSD see here for more information: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in ADHD and Autism Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in ADHD and Autism https://embrace-autism.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-in-adhd-and-autism/
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Social Anxiety: It is common for Autistics (and to some degree ADHDers) to experience anxiety in social situations due to not intuitively understanding neuronormative social expectations. Whilst a person can gain this knowledge over time and in a trial-and-error manner, it does not always generalise to other experiences, can exacerbate masking practices, often leads to exhaustion, and can turn into social anxiety over time due to poor experiences. Discovering your innate social needs, wants, and desires and learning to say yes/no will be pivotal to creating social situations that suit your neurotype. See here for more information: Social Anxiety vs Autism - Dr Megan Neff Social Anxiety vs Autism - Dr Megan Neff https://neurodivergentinsights.com/misdiagnosis-monday/social-anxiety-or-autism#:~:text=Social%20anxiety%20is%20particularly%20common,%25)%20(NICE%2C%202013a).
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Camouflaging Behaviour: It is common for neurodivergent people to 'hide' who they are by engaging in camouflaging behaviours, such as masking, compensating, and assimilating. These behaviours can start at a young age and lead to ingrained and unconscious behaviours that are not only personally damaging due to the message it sends back to the self, but are also exhausting. Part of accepting your neurodivergent identity is to work with health professionals to reduce these behaviours, which will lead to an increase in self-acceptance, self- compassion, and wellbeing. Remember: be patient! These behaviours are protective and there for a reason, so it may feel slow (and sometimes hard) to reduce them. See here for more information: Masking Effects Masking Effects https://neurodivergentinsights.com/misdiagnosis-monday/social-anxiety-or-autism#:~:text=Social%20anxiety%20is%20particularly%20common,%25)%20(NICE%2C%202013a).
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Autistic Communication: The communication style Autistics naturally use prioritises the literal, semantic use of language, which means things are taken at 'face value' due to difficulties with reading between the lines or understanding the subtle aspects of communication, such as body language, tone, and sarcasm. This can show up as a dislike for small talk or 'chitchat', needing to ask a lot of questions to gauge meaning due to ambiguity, not liking to talk unless it is necessary or needed, preferring certain methods of communication over others (e.g., text vs phone), using a direct communication style, and using language as a means to an end (e.g., collecting or sharing information, giving honest answers to questions). Not being able to follow this style can result in compensation behaviours, such as overanalysing interactions with others to work out meaning, criticising the self due to language use with others (e.g., being too direct), feeling embarrassed or being teased due to not getting jokes or sarcasm, worrying about how you have been perceived by others, and feeling less confident due to past interactions. See here for more information: How to Communicate with Autistics How to Communicate with Autistics https://www.neurodiverging.com/4-tips-for-collaborative-problem-solving/
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Neurodivergent Inertia: It may be of interest to learn about inertia in relation to difficulty with the starting/executing and stopping of activity: ebook https://jenniferkemp.com.au/publications/
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Burnout: Understanding Autistic Burnout may assist with making sense of low points and fatigue and help in devising necessary adjustments:
Burnout handout-20a360de.pdf https://jenniferkemp.com.au/resources/perfectionism/
Burnout ebook https://jenniferkemp.com.au/publications/
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Perfectionism: Many neurodivergent individuals have perfectionistic behaviours that impact their wellbeing and mental health. Dismantling perfectionism will be a necessary part of recovery and learning to build a self-concept that does not revolve around being perfect. Download some resources for learning about and working with perfectionism here: https://jenniferkemp.com.au/publications/
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ADDitude
ADDitude provides ADHD material for education purposes and may have some helpful resources.
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CHADD
CHADD empowers people affected by ADHD by: providing evidence based information and advocating for accessibility and inclusion. ​
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General
GROW
GROW is a self-help organisation for people living with a mental illness.
Head to Health
Head to Health is a newly released Government initiative to support ANYONE looking for help. It has a range of mental health resources, and direct links to online supports including immediate help if required.
OCDUK
OCDUK is a national OCD charity which is run by, and for, people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The website has a range of psychoeducation content and online supports.
Project Air Strategy
https://www.projectairstrategy.org/index.html
The Project Air Strategy for Personality disorders is an internationally recognised leader in research, education and treatment of personality disorders. The website aim to support compassionate, evidence-based treatment and recovery for people with personality disorder and related conditions.
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CRRMH
Evidence-based translational research and expert advice on state, national and international committees and working groups with the research focus on improving mental health services, rural suicide prevention, and helping individuals, their families and communities to stay mentally well.