The Hints For Healing Podcast

Season 2; Episode 1: Resettlement of Recent Afghan Evacuees in Victorian Schools

Welcome to Season 2 of the Hints for Healing Podcast! In this season we welcome guests to share their experiences and insights into supporting the resettlement and mental health of Afghan members of the community at a time of enormous upheaval, uncertainty and worry for Afghan people all around the world.

My first guest this season is Greg Gow. Greg leads the Melbourne-based Foundation House Education and Early Years Program, which is a Victorian statewide service supporting schools and early years service providers to respond to children and families with refugee experiences. Since August 2021, Greg has been coordinating Foundation House’s response to supporting school-age resettled Afghans in Victoria in the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the humanitarian crisis that has followed.   

Show notes: 

• Foundation House’s Integrated Trauma Service Recovery Model 
• School’s In for Refugees: Supporting Students and Families of Afghan Background 
• Supporting students and families of Afghan background is a tip-sheet which provides details of how school staff can provide assistance to students and families by prioritising their wellbeing and connection. 
• The Over/Under Involvement Continuum is a useful resource to support school staff to reflect upon their levels of involvement with students and families of refugee backgrounds. It illustrates the healthy dimensions of ‘ideal range’ involvement, the excesses of ‘over involvement’ and the dangers of overly detached ‘under involvement’   

Season 1; Episode 15 - The Sacred Territory: Using the Methodologies of Eco-dialogue to Open Minds to the Interrelation and Interdependency of Nature and Humanity

On 10 September, STARTTS School Liaison Team Leader, Shaun Nemorin chaired the 2021 conference of the International Society for Health and Human Rights (ISHHR). One of the distinguished speakers was psychologist, activist and social arts facilitator, Hector Aristizábal. In this recording, Hector, himself a survivor of civil war, trauma and torture, speaks about his work on the “Reconectando” project in Colombia. This project combines deep ecology, social theatre and ritual to support ex-combatants and victims of Colombia’s civil war to heal through their connection to themselves, each other and the earth. The project accompanies the work of the Truth Commission in Colombia.  

Warning: This recording contains descriptions of sexual violence, torture and other human rights abuses.  

Produced by Shaun Nemorin and Nicole Loehr. Music by R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly) and Eric Avery. Image from the 2021 ISHHR Conference.

Find out more: 

• ImaginAction - https://imaginaction.org/artists/hector   
• International Society for Health and Human Rights - https://ishhr.com/

Season 1; Episode 14 - Supporting Students and Families with Afghan Backgrounds

In this episode, Nicole Loehr speaks with STARTTS Senior Clinician and Clinical Trainer, Nooria Mehraby. Nooria trained as a medical doctor in her native Afghanistan before completing a Master of Counselling in Australia. She has more than 30 years experience working with refugees both overseas and in Australia and that includes over 25 years working at STARTTS. 

In this podcast, Nooria provides some context for the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan and explains how the situation is impacting on the Afghan diaspora around the world. Nooria also shares her tips on how educators can best support students and families at this time while also maintaining their own self-care. 

Produced by Nicole Loehr. Music by R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly) and Eric Avery. Image supplied by Nooria Mehraby. 

Find out more: 

• STARTTS - https://www.startts.org.au/  
• Nooria on Owl Talks - https://lectures.owltalks.org/Speaker/nooria-mehraby/  
• SBS Afghan Cultural Atlas - https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/afghan-culture  

Support for Dari-Speaking Parents Affected by the Crisis in Afghanistan: How parents can promote the wellbeing of their children and themselves during COVID-19 restrictions (Language: Dari)

In this special edition podcast in Dari, STARTTS Senior Clinician/Clinical Trainer, Nooria Mehraby, MD, addresses Afghan parents across NSW. In this podcast, Nooria provides: 

• An introduction to STARTTS services 
• An outline of some common symptoms of acute stress and retraumatisation 
• Advice on how parents can get some relief from their symptoms while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions in NSW 
• Tips on how parents can support the wellbeing of their children and adolescents during the crisis in Afghanistan and COVID-19 restrictions 
• Suggestions on how to avoid exposure to graphic content amongst children and young people
• Guidance to parents who are concerned about their children falling behind with their schoolwork 
• Warning signs to look out for in themselves and in their children that indicate the need to seek professional support 
• Contact details for STARTTS, RACS (Refugee Advice & Casework Service), TIS, Kids Helpline, Lifeline and 000. 

Nooria is a senior clinician and clinical trainer at STARTTS.  Herself a former refugee, Nooria has more than 30 years experience working with refugees both overseas and here in Australia. This includes over 25 years experience at STARTTS. Nooria first trained as a medical doctor in her native Afghanistan and later obtained a Master of Counselling with Distinction in Australia. Her particular interest is in developing cross-cultural therapeutic interventions with refugees, especially with Muslim clients. In 2015 she was the recipient of Australian Muslim Professional of the Year Award. 

Season 1; Episode 13 - Supporting Refugee Children Survivors of the Beirut Blast: Reflections from Trauma Specialists in Lebanon

In this episode, Nicole Loehr speaks with Clinical Psychologist Joelle Wehbe and Social Worker Celine Yasmine from RESTART, which is the Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture in Lebanon. Joelle and Celine discuss how they have supported young survivors of the blast that occurred at the Port of Beirut on the 4th of August in 2020. Of the 1026 survivors of the blast that RESTART has assisted, 55% are refugees. Celine and Joelle explain how children, already impacted by refugee trauma, were further impacted by the blast and they outline the protective factors that they’ve observed to be contributing to these children’s psychological recovery. Both guests also spoke candidly about how they’ve personally been impacted by the blast, and by the broader crises Lebanon is facing and how they manage their own psychological self-care. 

Produced by Nicole Loehr. Music by R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly) and Eric Avery. Image of Joelle Wehbe with a client supplied by Joelle Wehbe and Celine Yasmine. Parent consent for publication of the photo was obtained by RESTART. 

Find out more:

• RESTART website: http://restartcenter.com/restartcenter/  
• You can support RESTART’s work here: https://restartcenter.com/restartcenter/what_you_can_do.php 

Season 1; Episode 12: Neurofeedback Counselling for Children with Refugee Experience

In this episode, Nicole interviews STARTTS Child and Adolescent Neurofeedback Counsellor Jacqueline Tow. At STARTTS, Jacqueline practices neurofeedback counselling with children, young people and their families both in STARTTS clinics, and, when COVID restrictions allow, in schools.

Jacqueline explains what neurofeedback counselling is, for which trauma symptoms it’s particularly effective and how it affects change in the brain, and ultimately in the mental wellbeing of her clients.

Jacqueline holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) as well as a Master of Counselling & Applied Psychotherapy. Prior to being at STARTTS, she worked in private practice and across rural and regional NSW in a range of settings.

Find out more:

• Australian Neurofeedback Institute https://www.anfi.org.au/ 
• Neurofeedback at STARTTS https://www.startts.org.au/services/clinical-services/neurofeedback/ 

Produced by Nicole Loehr. Music by Eric Avery and R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly).  Image supplied by STARTTS.

Season 1; Episode 10 - Physical Activity for Health Among young Torture and Trauma Survivors: An opportunity for treatment and prevention

Dr Simon Rosenbaum is an internationally recognised pioneer in the field of physical activity, mental illness, sport for development and global mental health.

Scientia Associate Professor in the School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney, he has worked with a variety of groups including youth, veterans, emergency service workers and refugees. Simon has overseen various international research and capacity building projects, including working in the Rohingya refugee crises in Bangladesh and with those fleeing the Syrian conflict in Gaziantep, Turkey

In this talk with Shaun Nemorin, they discuss the impact of sports and physical activity as an effective biopsychosocial intervention for young people in contexts of forced displacement and the barriers to participation for some, including women and those with physical disabilities. They similarly discuss everything from the need to resource scalable community based initiatives, neo colonialism in the field of global mental health and hints for practitioners and educators in promoting physical activity with young survivors.

 

Find Out More:

• Refugees, sport, and mental health - All In The Mind - ABC Radio National
• Physical activity as a psychosocial intervention among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh: a rapid ecological community assessment (researchgate.net)
• Physical Activity for Health Among Torture and Trauma Survivors: an opportunity for treatment and prevention. | Owl Talks
• Using sport to promote social change | School of Population Health (unsw.edu.au)
• Simon Rosenbaum (@simon_rosenbaum) / Twitter
• Simon Rosenbaum (@simrosenbaum) / Instagram

Produced by Nicole Loehr. Music by Eric Avery and R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly).  Image supplied by Simon Rosenbaum

Season 1; Episode 9 - Third space and Intercultural Learning: Providing pathways for safety and healing in the classroom

Rafik Tanious is an education and mental-health professional and film maker, who specialises in cross-cultural therapeutic interventions and inter-cultural learning. In this discussion with Nicole Loehr, they address the specific needs of learners with a refugee experiences and ways in which schools, teachers and counsellors can support in more culturally sensitive and trauma informed ways.

Rafik talks intimately about his personal journey in Australia and how it would later influence his work over the last 25 years, both in Australia and internationally. More recently through the complexities and opportunities in working with young people with a refugee experience who have been resettled in rural and regional areas of Australia.

Find Out More:

• Bodgies Westies and Homies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ8GVgXiF3s
• I live Here - Cabramatta Australia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7386EmGWbg
• Inside Outside Cabramatta - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEh-rY7pDHE
• Intercultural Learning Interview: Australian International School, Indonesia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_hVnfl1cJI
• Intercultural Understanding in the Australian Curriculum - https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/intercultural-understanding/
• The Location of Culture, by Homi K Bhabha - https://www.routledge.com/The-Location-of-Culture/Bhabha/p/book/9780415336390

Produced by Nicole Loehr. Music by Eric Avery and R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly).  Image supplied by Rafik Tanious.

Season 1; Episode 8 - Windows and Mirrors: Teaching and Sharing Refugee Stories in the Classroom

Teacher, psychologist and writer Jemima Shafei-Ongu talks to Nicole Loehr about how texts with refugee themes can be used in the classroom in a way that respects the psychological safety of all students. Jemima also shared her tips on how to support students who express their wish to share aspects of their refugee experience with the school community.  

Find out more: 

• Sitti's Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye. Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. 
• My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald. Illustrated by Freya Blackwood  

Produced by Nicole Loehr. Music by Eric Avery and R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly).  Image supplied by Jemima Shafei-Ongu.

Season 1; Episode 7 - Occupational Therapy Approaches to Trauma Recovery

Nicole Loehr interviews Occupational Therapist and fellow STARTTS School Liaison Officer, Rachelle Coe about the role that occupational therapy can play in recovery from refugee trauma. They discuss how a knowledge of sensory processing can be harnessed to support students with co- and self-regulation in the classroom and illustrate the important role that the physical environment plays in supporting calm and alert states of arousal. Rachelle also reflects on her experiences of facilitating and providing consultation for play-based groups and supports for learners with refugee experience.

Find out more:

• Occupational Therapy Australia
• Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association

Produced by Nicole Loehr. Music by Eric Avery and R.E.M. (performed by Troy Reilly).  Public domain image from piqsels.com.