Hello and welcome to think on good, coming up do you feel lonely or are you experiencing social loneliness? According to a relationships Australia survey 1 in 5 Australians “said they often feel lonely” and 28% said they are experiencing social loneliness. today, we find out how one community group is gaining momentum to connect people across the sunshine coast, Australia and even the globe.

Think on good is the place to share inspirational stories and learn about building a healthy mind through community connections, therapy, programs and resources.

Australian Men’s Shed Association

Shoulder to shoulder

History

Start-ups in 1980’s

2007 research

establishment of manual registered Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA)

More than 1000 Men’s Sheds in Australia.

Registered charity

www.mensshed.org

Australian Men’s Shed Association

Skills Groups

Woodwork

IT and computers

Metal work

Home Brewing

Songwriting

Repair work

1300 550 009

Australian Men’s Shed Association

Benefits

Health and well-being

Meet new friends

Give back to the community

To share knowledge and expertise

Learn new skills

Ref: Men’s Sheds in Australia effects on physical health and mental wellbeing, Beyond Blue 2013

Maroochy Men’s Shed

www.maroochymensshed.com.au

Queensland Men's Shed Association

www.qmsa.org.au

Australian Men’s Shed Association

www.mensshed.org

Other resources

Local Library-courses, events

Local councils’ events

Listen to Community Radio

Lads Connect- Instagram for young men)

@theladsconnect

Think on good is a program offering information for mind health and is not intended to replace medical treatment, professional advice or diagnosis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health symptoms, for immediate support contact- Lifeline 13 11 14.

Call on your shed mate-conversation @thinkongood

To stay updated with the latest episodes-Subscribe or follow us on socials. @thinkongood

We discuss why self-awareness is important for sustaining relationships with yourself and others. This program is the go-to course provided by the Salvation Army in locations nationally and is especially helpful for someone who has experienced set-back, trauma, grief or loss. During the eight-sessions the participant gains the confidence to apply important life skills to support them in personal relationships, finding work and managing stress.

This program is recommended for the person who wants to break a difficult cycle and is beneficial for everyone who is seeking to be the best version of themselves. To find out more contact the Salvation Army to register for a course near you.

Salvation Army

Positive Lifestyle Program

8 session-course

Salvation Army

salvationarmy.org.au

Phone 13 72 58

Salvation Army

Positive Lifestyle Program

Build self-awareness

Improve self-esteem

Help with anger

Assist in surviving broken relationships

Help with finding/keeping work

Salvation Army

Positive Lifestyle Program

Self-Awareness

Anger

Depression/Loneliness

Stress

Grief

Assertiveness

Self-esteem

Future Directions

Salvation Army

Positive Lifestyle Program

Strategies to manage

Stress, depression, loneliness

various personal challenges

reconnect with community

Salvation Army

Positive Lifestyle Program

8 session-course

Salvation Army

salvationarmy.org.au

Phone 13 72 58

DISCLAIMER

Think on good is a program offering information for mind health and is not intended to replace medical treatment, professional advice or diagnosis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health symptoms, for immediate support contact

Lifeline 13 11 14.

Guest-Jo Fuller Counsellor from Wholly You, Sunshine Coast explains cycles of worry and how CBT, a well-known therapy may help with rumination (or repetitive thinking about negative episodes).

Do you feel like you are in a cycle of worry?

Then you are not alone. According to the national study of mental health and well-being, 2022 more than 17% of Australians aged between 18-65 had experienced anxiety in the 12-month period.

While worry is part of our every day, prolonged and excessive worry can lead to mental illness including anxiety and depression.

Today we find out a little more about an evidence proven therapy often applied to help stop the cycle of worry.

Think on good is a program about the programs to give insight into resources, community connection groups and therapies, all for building resilience and a healthy mind.

Jo Fuller-Counsellor -Wholly You

Wholly You | Lake Macdonald QLD | Facebook

GRAPHIC INFO 1

Changing cycles

Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) impacts

moods

Prevent achieving goals

overall well-being

May lead to anxiety and depression

GRAPHIC 2

Changing cycles

Cognitive Behavior Therapy CBT Program

(Aaron Beck 1960)

effective -

distorted thoughts

depression

anxiety

eating disorders

substance abuse

personality disorders

GRAPHIC 3

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

CBT Program

Discuss with GP or counsellor for a referral- to a psychologist

Reference: au.reachout.com

DISCLAIMER GRAPHIC 5

Think on good is a program offering information for mind health and is not intended to replace medical treatment, professional advice or diagnosis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health symptoms, for immediate support contact

Lifeline 13 11 14.

Not to Worry- conversation @thinkongood

Connect, share and subscribe @thinkongood video/ podcast and social channels.

Think on Good - YouTube

Think on Good | Facebook

@thinkongood Instagram

#CBT #mentalhealthawareness #mental health #Queensland #wellness #anxiety

#parenting #support

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD impacts the lives around us with debilitating symptoms.

According to the most recent national study of health and well-being around 11% of Australians experience PTSD in their life and with women almost twice as likely to develop the illness then men.

This condition while not exclusive to frontline professionals, is often experienced for those attending to trauma events as part of their careers including ambulance, fire, police and defence service men and women.

While there are many avenues to help manage PTSD, today we look at the part of the faithful dog with co-founder of PTSD dogs Australia Roger Weeks joining us now.

PTSD Dogs Australia is a charity program based on the Sunshine Coast Queensland, training rescue dogs to be companions to assist veterans and first responders or those exposed to trauma events.

PTSD Dogs Australia; charity program www.ptsddogs.org.au

Post Traumatic Stress disorder or PTSD symptoms may vary, and it is best to consult with a medical professional about diagnosis however some of the symptoms can include being on constant alert, angry outbursts, sleeplessness, avoiding social activity or public places and unwanted thoughts and at times nightmares.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Symptoms

-Being on constant alert

- angry outbursts

-sleeplessness

-avoid sensory stressors

social and public places

-nightmares and unwanted thoughts.

PTSD Dogs are specifically trained to provide support for PTSD and trauma related illness. These dogs are trained and matched to assist with specific needs and requirements, like waking the handler from a nightmare or going to the shop for groceries.

Training dogs to assist -

stress episodes, nightmares, shopping, public places, social activities

To apply for an assistance dog especially trained to support you with individual requirements-go to the website and fill out the form and PTSD Dogs Australia team will help you with the next steps. www.ptsddogs.org.au

For additional PTSD information and support go to Open Arms phone 1800 011 046 or

www.openarms.gov.au

To help the work PTSD dogs Australia is providing, go to the website to donate or register to volunteer- www.ptsddogs.org.au

Think on good is a program offering information for mind health and is not intended to replace medical treatment, professional advice or diagnosis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health symptoms, for immediate support contact Lifeline 13 11 14.

conversation @thinkongood

conversation @thinkongood podcast

#brainchemistry #mentalhealth #wellness #parenting #podcast #support

GRAPHIC 1

Stress (fight or flight) chemicals

Adrenaline, Cortisol

GRAPHIC 2

Feel good chemicals

Dopamine, endorphins, serotonin

GRAPHIC 3 + Image included

5 A Therapy

Anchor -Faith in God or greater power

Awareness- recognise negative thought and choose to change

Acceptance- Understand pain, loss and betrayal are a part of life.

Appreciation- Focus on what you have.

Amend- Where possible mend relationships.

GRAPHIC 4

Centre for clinical intervention

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au

Virtual Hope Box APP

Now for a quick recap for building resilience in crisis.

When we are faced with a crisis, there is a chemical reaction in our bodies that equips us to act. Known as the fight or flight mode.

This is needed to act in an emergency however it is important we do not stay in the fight or flight mode.

Prolonged thinking on a stress episode causes changes to our brain and body leading to depletion in the necessary feel-good chemicals, like dopamine.

While this is complex, one way to calm and rebalance in these times is

to build resilience and emotional fitness drawing on strong foundations of close connections.

This is an overview of Dr Manju’s 5A therapy Framework for reference-

Anchor -by Faith in God or greater power

Awareness- by recognising negative thought patterns and decide to change thoughts to align with your values and true identity.

Acceptance- by Understanding pain, loss and betrayal are a part of life. Instead of reacting in anger or bitterness, make the choice to forgive.

Appreciation- by Focusing on what you have. Write out or think about the good things in your day. Write a note of thanks to someone you know. This impacts your thinking and helps others as well.

Amend- Where possible mend relationships. Humble yourself where needed with apology and accept disagreements will occur. Letting go of disagreements calms your brain and improves relationships.

Dr Manju draws this five A framework from evidence-based therapies and includes elements of the AA 12 step model.

These are some resources for you to support a healthy mind and build resilience.

Go to Centre for clinical intervention website

and the app, Virtual hope box.

Neurodivergence refers to natural variations in brain function and thinking styles that include, but are not limited to, Autism, ADHD, Obsessive-Compulsive Preferences, Dyslexia, and more. These ways of thinking reflect differences rather than deficits.

Examples of neurodivergent identities include:

Autistic people

ADHDers

1. People with Down syndrome
2. People with Dyscalculia
3. People with Dyslexia
4. People with Obsessive-Compulsive Preferences
5. People with Intellectual Disabilities
6. People with Mental Health Conditions

ADHD involves differences in attention regulation, impulsivity, and activity levels—traits that can present both challenges and unique strengths.

Helpful Neurodivergence Resources:

1. www.yellowladybugs.com.au
2. www.reframingautism.org.au/resources/
3. www.divergentfutures.com/freeresources
4. www.neuroqueer.com
5. www.embrace-autism.com

For up-to-date information on diagnosis and support reforms related to ADHD, please consult trusted professional sources.

www.wonderfullywiredpsychology.com.au

@thinkongood podcast

Understanding how the brain works in stress helps everyone to consider the symptoms that can show up after intense times of stress. Like most health changes, it is important to see your GP to discuss treatment options.

Courageous Fathering Course online

parenting

personal growth

relationships

Family Crisis

Personal Life

Daily Choices

Work-Life Balance

www.dads4kids.org.au

Discipline from the place of love

Advice on being a single Dad

Building positive memories for your children

Learn how to make your children feel special

Cultivate 11 traits of manhood

Dads4Kids research

Fatherlessness studies indicate children more likely-

Poor academic achievement

Low self-esteem

Psychological distress

Delinquency and Recidivism

Substance use/abuse

Adult criminal offending

Depression

Reference- Muehlenburg, B 2025 Dads4Kids;

Rodgers, B. Australian National University (ANU).

Courageous Fathering Course online

parenting

personal growth

relationships

Family Crisis

Personal Life

Daily Choices

Work-Life Balance

www.dads4kids.org.au

Support for single Dads

Single Dads Resources

The Daily Dad-

personal stories

information

resources

newsletter for news and encouragement

www.dads4kids.org.au/resources/single-dads/

Support for families

Dads in Distress

Mums in Distress

Grandparents in Distress

Phone 1300 853437

Parents beyond breakup

www.parentsbeyondbreakup.com

Sometimes you need others to speak into your life how it should be for you. Beyond your current circumstances, there are others ready to help find the right program, course therapy, treatment or conversation that will bring hope back into your day.

Hope Found conversation @thinkongood podcast

Hope House Espresso on the Sunshine Coast offers support across Australia to manage crisis situations for women and families. Go to the website and fill out the form and someone will be in contact to help connect you to a range of supports including counselling, financial support and housing assistance.

Coffee and Hope conversation @thinkongood podcast