April Newsletter: Our podcasting journey begins.

Hello!,

Did you know that 78% of young people prefer to access mental health information and advice through podcasts over their peers, families and/or mental health service providers?

However when you look at the current landscape of mental health podcasts, there's definitely a lack of conversations that focus on culturally-responsive mental health especially for those of Asian identities.

So, with the backing of the Victorian Department of Health, Shapes and Sounds is on a mission to fill that gap by creating our new podcast called, "The Asian Mental Health Podcast".

In 7 days, Marcus (programs lead), Oscar (community engagement lead) and I (director) will be heading to the studio to record season 1 alongside our newest team member, Yeo, who we're thrilled to share with you, is our new technical producer

We're nervous and excited for this next step but we're grateful to be able to share this journey with you! If you'd like more real-time info about our podcasting journey, please be sure to stay in touch via instagram.

 ❤️Asami

🌱Upcoming workshops:

For therapists: Develop your culturally-responsive practice at our next professional development session, Connect and Grow on May 9th at 7.00pm AEDT.

Learning theme: Addressing the key mental health needs of different Asian sub-communities.

 🦉 Interesting things relating to mental health and Asian Australian identity:

📚 Academia: This paper explores the cultural considerations in clinical mental health assessment and explains why it's so important to develop high-quality indigenous neuropsychological measures for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

🤳🏻 Events: Asian Australian Comedian Aaron Chen has several shows at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne throughout the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Make sure you also check out Screen Presence, which will feature some of the best in Asian-Australian comedy!

📚 Books: Check out Life skills for a Broken World by Asian Australian Clinical Psychologist Ahona Guha! In this book, Dr. Guha reminds and shows us how we can cope and remain hopeful within trying times.

🔎 Searching for a therapist?

Connect with our new practitioners below, or share this page with someone who may need this!

🎤 Therapist spotlight.

Get to know cousellor, Yuying Zhao, via our interview:

"Embracing cultural sensitivity, I strive to create an inclusive and empathetic space where clients feel seen and valued for their individual backgrounds."

Get to know psychologist, Jessica Ching, via our interview:

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" 

✨Thank you for reading up to this point!

We rely heavily on your generous support to provide ongoing and free mental health resources to Asian communities in Australia.

Support Shapes and Sounds HERE.

🐌 And last but not least:

Recently in social media land,

We announced our new podcast - The Asian Mental Health Podcast, where we will be answering your questions surrounding mental health. Click here to submit a question!

📱Click to connect back in with our Instagram!