tov Blog
Dementia in Australian Indigenous Population Alarmingly High
Dementia within our indigenous population is high according to Alzheimer’s Australia, Dementia is a major health problem for our indigenous people.
Australian Kids Seek Counselling Help
According to the Huffington Post, statistics show that Australian youth are reaching out for Mental Health Help more frequently now than in the previous years. Kids Help Line Insights Report shows that since 1996 there’s been a 626 percent increase in calls from young Australians seeking help for problems such as self-harm and for their…
Signs That Indicate An Alcohol Addiction
The majority of people will have a social drink or relaxing drink at home and even a glass of wine with their meal. Going out for a few drinks hardly makes a person an addict. Addiction to alcohol is known as alcoholism. It is a wide spread disease affecting people regardless of gender, socioeconomic factors,…
Lost for Words – What To Say (& Not) To Someone Who’s Grieving
When Amanda picked up the phone, nothing could prepare her for what she was about to hear. Her best friend’s little girl had drowned in the family pool. There was a long pause. Grappling with her own shock and disbelief, Amanda realised there were no words. She couldn’t think of a single thing to say…
Social Media – A Blessing Or A Curse? #SMday
Most households living in the digital era will have access to mobile phones and various types of computer technology used to connect to others on the internet. While the internet has opened up positive and negative possibilities that can sometimes be viewed as a Pandora’s box by some critics, social media has effectively reduced global…
What is Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder?
The main characteristic of Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder is defined in the DSM-V (also known as DSM-5) as “a pattern of behaviour in which a child actively approaches and interacts with unfamiliar adults.” The child’s pattern of behaviour includes what is seen as culturally inappropriate and overly familiar behaviour that is either verbal or physical…
Family Therapy & Characteristics Of A Healthy Family
Family therapy is focused on individuals and families to help improve their relationships, their communication and to help them to resolve conflicts. Family therapy is usually provided by a counsellor or mental health professional. Family therapy can help people in close relationships to help each other find ways forward out of difficult situations. It can…
Peace From A Prayerful Life & Thankful Heart
Life wasn’t meant to be easy and it’s especially not easy to stop worrying about the often-scary, everyday parts of our lives, but God tells us what to do when we are like that. He says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to…
Students Tell Us What They Like About Studying At aifc
Over the years our graduates have gone on to use their skills in ministry and to fulfill their vision for their career goals to help the community as skilled professionals and qualified counsellors. Students have a lot of good things to say about studying at aifc. Read the following Facebook comments that have been left…
Facing Mother’s Day Without Mum
Mother’s Day is a difficult time for those who didn’t grow up with a mother and equally sad for those whose mother’s are no longer in their lives. Jude Crank Shares her story about what it was like coming home after her honeymoon to receive the sad news of her mother passing away. Twenty-one years…
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is about wellness. A person with good mental health is considered to be in a state of wellbeing. They feel good, function well and are positive. These people are emotionally mature and can cope with the normal stresses of life, they’re resilient, realise their potential, contribute to the community and work productively. What…
Cannabis / Marijuana Dependence and Withdrawal
Research has shown that people going through Cannabis withdrawal may experience physical and psychological symptoms after attempting to stop their prolonged marijuana use. Since the early 1960’s until recent times, cannabis was thought of as mild and non-addictive recreational drug in comparison with other ‘heavier’ drugs. In the DSM-5 the APA has officially recognised that…
Caffeine Withdrawal – Now in the DSM-5
In Australia cafes have sprung up just about everywhere, becoming places to catch up with family, friends and work colleagues over a cup of coffee. We consume it regularly, particularly in the mornings as an energiser for the work day ahead. Energy drinks, soft drinks, brewed tea and even chocolate can contain large quantities of…
Sam Wundke – aifc Student in SA
Sam Wundke I chose to do the aifc course as a step toward regaining personal direction and purpose. After almost a year, I have grown so much both on a personal level and in my relationships. Although the content is challenging, the environment is supportive, encouraging and uplifting. Although I don’t know exactly where this…
Using Food And Exercise To Combat Depression
The most common mental health illness in Australia is depression with one in five people having experienced it. People with depression feel worthless, unmotivated, overwhelmed and sad. Medicine and Therapy are very beneficial to helping patients with depression. However, a good diet coupled with regular exercise plays a vital role in promoting good mental health.…
When To Get Help For Kids & Teens
Dr John Townsend believes kids who have suffered trauma in the very early stages of childhood are more likely to have their personality affected by it, particularly during their adolescence. He encourages parents to have these children see a mental health professional as early as possible. Get Help If There Has Been Early Trouble by…
Repairing Trust Violations With A Heartfelt Apology
Research shows why some apologies are more effective than others. Two studies have reported that there are six components of an apology. Additionally, repairing trust violations were seen as more compelling than expressions of remorse for integrity based violations. Apologies are central to conflict management. When we hurt someone a quick apology with an expression…
Dr. Gary Smalley
World Renowned marriage and relationship expert and public speaker Gary Smalley who authored award winning and best-selling books on family relationships and marriage from a Christian perspective, has gone to meet our Heavenly Father on March 6 2016, aged 75. He was married 52 years to Norma and had three children, Kari, Greg and Michael.…
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
According to Lifeline Australia, there are many forms of abuse that fall under the category of Domestic and Family Violence. Emotional and Psychological abuse are non-physical forms of control used to isolate and manipulate a person that can be equally as traumatising as physical abuse. Family violence and abuse can happen to anyone irrespective of…
Could Air Pollution Be Affecting Our Mental Health?
We live in an industrial world that is constantly pumping out dangerous fumes and gases into the atmosphere. Natural events can also pollute our air with pollen, smoke from bushfires and the dust from windstorms. There are many other pollutants that can affect the quality of air we breathe impacting on our overall health, mental…
When to Seek Help For Anger Management
Losing control of anger on a regular basis may mean that there’s an underlying issue worth probing into. To diagnose an anger management problem, a mental health professional will look at patterns or trends in an individual’s behaviour, taking into account their physical and emotional symptoms as well. Anger is a completely normal and healthy emotion,…
Childhood Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
According to The Huffington Post, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder has attracted its fair share of controversy since its addition to the DSM-5 in 2013. Kids who throw huge explosive tantrums can now be labelled, posing the question, ‘Have they really gone too far in calling this seemingly normal behaviour a disorder?’ To answer that question…
Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children
Childhood Separation Anxiety Disorder is different from usual childhood fears due to its intensity that extends beyond appropriate developmental period for a child’s age. When children experience severe anxiety due to separation from their mother or primary care giver they might be feel a strong, persistent and excessive fear or anxiety. Physical symptoms may also…
Why Youth Homelessness Matters
According to Homelessness Australia, there’s a staggering number of homeless young people in Australia. When we think about homeless youths we often think about street kids, drug addicts and runaways. But this is not always the case. Most of the homeless youth aren’t homeless by choice. Domestic issues and family violence and relationships or family…
