“COVID19 – 7C’s

Caring Conversations &

Connectedness =
Creates Compassionate
Communities”
Ingrid Ozols AM
B.Sc, MMHS, Master (Suicidology)
Director
Mental Health at Work
(mh@work®)
mhatwork@mhatwork.com.au
Ingrid@mhatwork.com.au
0414 458 964

www.mhatwork.com.au
© 2020 mh@work®
 Acknowledgment Of Countries

I would like to acknowledge the

traditional custodians of the
many land’s, on which meet
today

&

Pay my respects to Elders past &

present, & future, & extend that
respect to other indigenous
people who are present.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

© 2020 mh@work®
 Acknowledgment to Lived Experience

© 2020 mh@work®
 who am I?

© 2020 mh@work®
 “COVID19 – 7C’s

Caring Conversations & Connectedness

=
Creates Compassionate Communities”

© 2020 mh@work®
COMPASSION Starts with SELF

© 2020 mh@work®
 Wellness Thermometer
(2008 Dr Lynn McAtamney Telstra & Ingrid Ozols mh@work®)

STOP/urgent/going
under/GET HELP! THINK – GO – THRIVING,
WARNING/ACTION SUPPORTING
Often feel anxious, irritable, NEEDED OTHERS
nervous, teary, tired, worn Having difficulty sleeping,
Feeling great, alive, full
out for no reason(s), no (sleeping too much/not
of life.
enough)
control, struggle to On top of life’s
diarrhoea, constipation
concentrate, make decisions. challenges & pressures.
tense neck, shoulder, jaw
Relying on caffeine, alcohol, Good systems in place
frequent headaches, pounding
drugs, pain killers, gambling to pace myself.
heart, heartburn, wind,
or smoking too much. Life is balanced - daily
bloating or indigestion.
exercise program,
Colds, bugs linger
eating healthily, weight
WILL BECOME ILL/MORE Outbursts, loss of patience
under control, not
INJURY PRONE No me time,
smoking, having a few
working too hard
drinks on the weekend
Deteriorating health, Using > drugs, gambling,
only.
alcohol or smoking, increased
seeing no way out (feeling ME TIME
or decreased eating
helpless, helpless &
worthless) LESS & LESS ME TIME

NO ME TIME - Not caring

about anything, self, life
 FACE COVID19 – Dr Russ Harris
https://youtu.be/BmvNCdpHUYM

 F = Focus on what’s
in your control C = Committed
Action
 A = Acknowledge
your thoughts & O = Opening up
feelings
 V = Values
 C = Come back into
your body  I = Identify
Resources
 E = Engage in what
you are doing  D = Disinfect &
distance

Free audio recordings of “dropping anchor” exercises, from 1-11mins

https://www.actmindfully.com.au/free-stuff/free-audio/
www.TheHappinessTrap.com & www. ImLearningACT.COM

© 2020 mh@work®
 “Feeling & owning our own shit”

When we hit a wall, courage may look like scaling

it or breaking through,

sometimes, building a fort & taking a rest is ok.

We don’t have to pretend it exists or have the

answers.

Rather than sucking it up & pushing through,

name it.

We & others will feel less alone

HARD DAYS ARE REAL

Stay awkward & brave enough to rest & feel

Brene Brown (2020).

© 2020 mh@work®
 Language, words, actions matter
Conversation + attention = relationship

© 2020 mh@work®
 EMPATHY + COMPASSION, CONNECTEDNESS & RELATIONSHIPS

Be Authentic

Present, “attention giving v seeking”

Safety & support atmosphere

Curiosity, ask questions

Listen to understand – not reply…sit in silence

Impartiality, no opinions/judgement

REMEMBER HOW WE FEEL IN ANOTHER’S COMPANY

© 2020 mh@work®
 #InThisTogether
National Mental Health Commission 2020

© 2020 mh@work®
 Ways to connect,
support, build
community

cyberhugs
virtual blankets
Acts of kindness
“I care, I value you”
Fun activities
Humour

© 2020 mh@work®
 “Are you coming along on a Bear Hunt? ”
What will help support you?

What could you do to support others?

© 2020 mh@work®
 Support referral
pathways

 Lifeline: 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au
 www.headtohealth.org.au
covid19
 www.beyondblue.org.au /covid19
 https://www.australia.gov.au/

 Peer support services

 Efriend.org.au Online Peer Support;
Ibobbly/BDI
 WarmLine; www.being.org.au 1300 234 640

© 2020 mh@work®
 Q&A

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© 2020 mh@work®