Critical Conversations for Social Work

S2 Episode 7 (Part B): Thinking reflexively in AOD practice

Disclaimer: This episode contains mentions of substances, sexual assault and sexual violence, and the mention of death of a young person. Please listen at your own discretion. In this, our final episode of the series, crew members Sia and Jean unpack the previous episode with Brooke and Chen Li about creative practice in the AOD space. Sia shares valuable insights into social policy directions in AOD, with a particular focus on harm reduction and drug diversion. The conversation touches on theories, a range of approaches and the importance of cultural safety and abolitionist practices to support a shift in perception of AOD practice and the criminalisation of people who use substances. In addition, the role of peer workers highlighting the importance of lived and living experience practitioners and the decriminalisation of the AOD practice space. Sia and Jean discuss the value of transparent and informative conversations with young people about drug and alcohol use. The pair share reflexively some intimate and colourful stories that have shaped their relationship with drug and alcohol use and their practice. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n-VCyV7F5_teof_F59WiNEWQB14tl-nT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103726718570283534995&rtpof=true&sd=true References/Resources: Queensland drug reform initiatives  Two major drug reform initiatives announced (shorthandstories.com) Abolitionist social work  Abolitionist Social Work | Encyclopedia of Social Work (oxfordre.com) “Achieving Balance” – Queensland Health Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2022 – 2027 https://6232990.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6232990/Achieving%20balance%20The%20Queensland%20Drug%20and%20Alcohol%20Plan%202022-2027.pdf Harm Reduction Strategies https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/staying-safe-events/harm-reduction-strategies/ The National Drug Strategy 2017 – 2026 https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026 Definition of Therapeutic Jurisprudence: The Concept of Therapeutic Jurisprudence - Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration - Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (aija.org.au) Keywords: #alcoholandotherdrugs #socialpolicy #drugdiversion #culturalsafety #abolitionistpractices #reflexivity #criticalreflection #peerworkers #livedandliving experience #colourfulstories Music by Boe Toweh Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalconversations4sw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalConversations4SW

S2 Episode 7 (Part A): “Nice People Do Drugs” - Taking the Hi-Ground in Creative Practice in AOD Practice

Disclaimer: This episode contains mentions of drugs and other substances, and the mention of death of a young person. Please listen at your own discretion. Your mental health matters. Note: The drug diversion program starts in 2024 when Brooke mentioned "next year" as we recorded this episode at the end of 2023 In this episode, Chen Li sits down and chats with Brooke about creative practice within the Alcohol and other Drugs space. The pair discuss the differences between harm reduction and harm minimisation within policy, referencing the National Drug Strategy and Queensland’s pill testing. Also discussed was the importance of a harm reduction approach to foster self-determination, education and choice. Brooke shares her story and anecdotes about her own experiences and how they have shaped her practice. Brooke also shares passionately two initiatives she has developed, Conscious Nest and Hi-Ground, which are programs she and her team have delivered at music festivals through creative practices, providing a safe and comfortable environment  for festival-goers and young people who need some chill out time. Brooke and Chen Li discuss the value of peer to peer support, and unpack the stigma around drug and alcohol use and how it is often criminalised. Later in the episode, Brooke shares with listeners the importance of self-care, the risks of burn out, and how critical reflection opens a pathway for safe, creative, and fun praxis within the AOD space. Brooke generously shares her experiences from Canada and Australia, the ways in which harm reduction is approached differently, and the ways in which her programs provide support to the festival community and beyond. At its core, this episode challenges the biases of society, with Brooke discussing the way society frames drug and alcohol use, and the people who use them. Transcript: References/Resources: “Achieving Balance” – Queensland Health Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2022 – 2027  https://6232990.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6232990/Achieving%20balance%20The%20Queensland%20Drug%20and%20Alcohol%20Plan%202022-2027.pdf The National Drug Strategy 2017 – 2026 https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026 Harm Reduction Strategies https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/staying-safe-events/harm-reduction-strategies/ Glossary of terms - https://adf.org.au/resources/did-glossary/ Keywords: drug and alcohol use, creative practice, peer to peer support, harm reduction, harm minimisation, Conscious Nest, Hi-Ground, criminialisation, social justice, anti-oppressive, anti-establishment, trauma informed, self-care, critical reflection Music by Boe Toweh Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalconversations4sw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalConversations4SW

S2 Episode 6 (Part B): Courage, Identity and Advocacy: Bridging the Creative Gap

Disclaimer: This episode discusses people’s perspectives of their lived experiences with cancer. This is a sensitive topic, please listen at your discretion.  Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z3UqU6KPU3rt5-u6kfpMeS7JtDSt05ap/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100719681595597138502&rtpof=true&sd=true In this episode, Jean chats with Ari to further unpack creative practice in supporting people living with cancer. At its heart, this episode is a discussion grounded in empathy and understanding, focusing on key concepts such as identity, social discourse, connection, and courage. Ari and Jean explore and unpack the concept of resilience, outlining its value and limitations. Ari discusses the importance of identity and its relation to young people, touching on themes of social isolation and societal constructions. Jean and Ari both discuss body image and appearance, with an eye opening discussion that conceptualises the way society constructs people living with cancer, unpacking assumptions and presumptions, while linking this to societal discourses and the overarching concept of how society views young people. Further, Jean and Ari discuss the importance of advocacy in this space, not just for young people and their families, but for the program itself; recognising the importance of lived experience sharing to benefit this space and place a person-led lens on the advocacy itself, while also raising important awareness for creative practice.  References/Resources:  A critique of resilience - journal article or website Chimera Legacy Foundation ⁠https://chimeralegacyfoundation.org.au/⁠ The Queensland Youth Advisory Group (YAG) ⁠https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/chq/our-services/queensland-youth-cancer-service/the-queensland-youth-advisory-group-yag/⁠ Sony Foundation Australia ⁠https://www.sonyfoundation.org/who-we-are⁠ - Keywords: Creative practice, empathy, advocacy, living with cancer, lived experience, young people, person-led, social isolation, resilience, social discourse, identity Music by Boe Toweh Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalconversations4sw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalConversations4SW

S2 Episode 6 (Part A): Sitting Amongst the Mess, Chaos, and Care: Creative Advocacy with Youth Cancer

Disclaimer: This episode discusses people’s perspectives of their lived experiences with cancer. This is a sensitive topic, please listen at your discretion.  Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p3PDg14mvtkZZ--YYP40lK9n2UpsXUmX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100719681595597138502&rtpof=true&sd=true In this episode, Aliona and Sally, two passionate social work students and cancer survivors, enlighten our listeners on how young people (18-25) living with cancer experience creative advocacy. Both Aliona and Sally speak from their lived experience, highlighting social workers' vital role for people living with cancer, through group advocacy and individual supports. They recognise social workers as an essential support system and a shoulder to cry on during the harsh and painful treatments. This came at a time when they were formulating their identities and discovering themselves. Sally gives an example of a Virtual Reality experience run by the Chimera Foundation, which allowed them to escape the hospital environment without breaking ‘hospital protocol’ and even allowed Aliona and her brother to 'return' to their home country during the Covid pandemic. References/Resources Chimera Legacy Foundation https://chimeralegacyfoundation.org.au/ The Queensland Youth Advisory Group (YAG) https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/chq/our-services/queensland-youth-cancer-service/the-queensland-youth-advisory-group-yag/ Sony Foundation Australia https://www.sonyfoundation.org/who-we-are - need more info Perez, G. K., Salsman, J. M., Fladeboe, K., Kirchhoff, A. C., Park, E. R., & Rosenberg, A. R. (2020). Taboo Topics in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology: Strategies for Managing Challenging but Important Conversations Central to Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship. American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book, (40), 1–e185. https://doi.org/10.1200/EDBK_279787 Keywords: Hospital social work, cancer, cancer survivor, Chimera Foundation, Virtual Reality, Youth Advisory Group (YAG), youth advocacy, support, connection, lived/living experience Music by Boe Toweh Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalconversations4sw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalConversations4SW

S2 Episode 5 (Part B): The glossy facade of the NDIS and men’s mental health

Disclaimer: This episode will contain mentions of mental health and trauma, suicide and suicidal ideation, and institutional abuse. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Jean and Moira talk about men’s mental health, toxic masculinity, and the challenges within the NDIS scheme. Moira shares her perspectives on how societal expectations oppress men and how these contribute to issues like violence towards women, high rates of suicidal risk, systemic challenges for young people and people with disability. Jean and Moira also touch on the gaps in accessing the NDIS and the challenges faced by individuals navigating the system. They advocate for a more comprehensive, compassionate, and understanding approach to mental health practice on an individual and systemic level. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jVKp2QPMn_dPPXhJMrQDK5gwUF3IsbcEYFf1aGcXpj8/edit?usp=sharing References/Resources: Toxic masculinity definition and impact: https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/what-toxic-masculinity-and-how-it-impacts-mental Cause of death Australia 2022: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/latest-release#intentional-self-harm-deaths-suicide-in-australia NDIS: https://www.ndis.gov.au/ Non-deliberative practices:https://fass.nus.edu.sg/nai/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Day-3.pdf Keywords: men’s mental health, NDIS, toxic masculinity, hegemonic masculinity, systemic oppression, lived experience, non-deliberative interventions, creative and critical practice, feminism, self-care Music by Boe Toweh Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalconversations4sw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalConversations4SW