HandinHand Mental Health & Disability

03/11/2025

Hey – we’ve got your back.

• Around 43% of Australian men will experience a mental-health disorder at some point in their lives — that’s nearly 1 in 2 men.
• Yet far too many keep it bottled up.

This Movember, HandinHand invites you to stand together.
Ask for help. Offer your ear. Show up.

Because the moustache is for awareness — but the action is in connection.

Start here ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.handinhandmentalhealth.com.au/lead-get-the-right-support/



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References:
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release

statics.teams.cdn.office.net/evergreen-assets/safelinks/2/atp-safelinks.html

30/10/2025

“The biggest mistake parents make during tantrums? Trying to stop the behaviour instead of understanding it.”

In this short talk, Vanessa McKeiver, Director of HandinHand, explains why tantrums aren’t “bad behaviour” but a child’s way of communicating their needs. 💬
When you pause to understand the message behind the meltdown, you help your child feel safe, seen, and understood. ❤️

👩‍👧 Learn compassionate strategies for navigating challenging behaviours and building emotional connection.
Follow HandinHand for more practical insights from our allied health experts.

29/10/2025

Welcome to the HandinHand Family, Sarah.

Sarah Gahan is an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist with over seven years of clinical practice across acute inpatient, rehabilitation, and community settings. A graduate of the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), Sarah is registered with AHPRA and delivers client-centred, evidence-based care that promotes independence, wellbeing, and meaningful participation in daily life.

Her expertise spans the NDIS, mental health, and disability sectors, where she supports adolescents and adults with psychosocial, neurodevelopmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities. Sarah conducts comprehensive functional capacity and assistive technology assessments, delivers tailored interventions to enhance daily living skills, and prepares high-quality clinical and NDIS reports in line with operational guidelines.

She is trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), sensory modulation, and cognitive assessment models, allowing her to take a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to her work.

Sarah provides flexible occupational therapy services to NDIS participants in home, school, community or centre based.

She is passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their goals, enhance their quality of life, and participate fully in their communities.

Work with Sarah Today by calling us at 1300 853 293 or send an email to referral@handinhandmentalhealth.com.au

29/10/2025

Welcome to the HandinHand Family, Christine.

Christine Steentjes is a highly experienced and compassionate General Psychologist with over two decades of experience supporting individuals and families across the lifespan. She provides psychological services via telehealth to clients Australia-wide, ensuring accessible, flexible, and high-quality care for people in both metropolitan and regional areas.

With a career spanning private practice, rehabilitation, and community mental health, Christine delivers evidence-based psychological support under both Medicare and NDIS frameworks. Her approach integrates person-centred, trauma-informed, and strengths-based practices to help individuals connect with their inner resources and achieve meaningful change.

Christine’s clinical expertise includes supporting clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, grief, relationship challenges, and adjustment issues. She works collaboratively with individuals to enhance emotional regulation, daily functioning, and quality of life.

Christine offers individual therapy and psychological assessments combining compassion with evidence-based strategies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and trauma-focused interventions.

Christine remains dedicated to empowering clients to build self-awareness, resilience, and lasting wellbeing, wherever they are through the accessibility of telehealth.

28/10/2025

Behaviour changes don’t happen overnight — they build up over time.
Here are 5 common red flags that show a participant may need extra Behaviour Support 👇

1. Withdrawal or Non-Engagement
It often starts small — a participant stops joining activities, avoids others, or seems “shut down.”
This may mean they’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or misunderstood. Behaviour Support can help re-engage them gently and safely.

2. Repeated Environmental Triggers
If the same setting, sound, or routine keeps leading to distress or outbursts, there’s likely an environmental trigger.
Adjusting the surroundings can reduce stress and prevent bigger incidents later.

3. Escalating Behaviours of Concern
When behaviours like shouting, aggression, or self-harm start happening more often, it’s a sign the person’s needs aren’t being met.
Behaviour Support identifies the why behind the behaviour and creates strategies for positive change.

4. Frequent Incidents or Use of Restrictive Practices
If reports or incidents are becoming routine, or staff are often stepping in to manage behaviour, it’s time for support.
A practitioner can help teams shift from reactive responses to proactive, respectful care.

5. Staff or Family Feeling Stressed
When carers or team members feel tired, frustrated, or unsure how to help — that’s also a red flag.
Behaviour Support gives everyone the confidence, structure, and tools to make daily life calmer for everyone.

Spotting these red flags early can make a big difference.
Behaviour Support isn’t just about managing behaviour — it’s about understanding the person and building better days together.

🔗 Learn more at handinhandmentalhealth.com.au

28/10/2025

Meet Jordan Curtis, a dedicated Behaviour Support Practitioner passionate about creating real, lasting change.

With qualifications in Social Work (QUT) and experience spanning disability, mental health, and youth justice, Jordan provides behaviour support that’s both compassionate and clinically sound.

She supports children, teens, and adults with autism, ADHD, ODD, PTSD, and complex needs, focusing on practical strategies that improve daily life and community participation.

Through her trauma-informed approach, Jordan helps individuals and families achieve greater stability, safety, and quality of life under the NDIS.

📍 Sunshine Coast • Gympie • Surrounding areas
💫 Behaviour support that empowers change — one goal at a time.
🔗 Learn more or make a referral: https://www.handinhandmentalhealth.com.au/referrals/

28/10/2025

🌿 Get to Know Dana Breadsell, Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner

With over two decades of experience in psychology and behaviour support, Dana Breadsell combines clinical experience with compassion to help individuals live with greater independence and confidence.

As an AHPRA-registered Psychologist and Advanced Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, Dana provides comprehensive assessments and Behaviour Support Plans that promote dignity, empowerment, and meaningful progress — supporting people aged 6 to 76 years to thrive at home, in school, and in the community.

Serving the Southern and Mid Sunshine Coast, Dana is also passionate about mentoring emerging practitioners and building capacity within the Behaviour Support community.

💚 Person-centred. Evidence-based. Empowering change.
👉 Work with Dana today: https://www.handinhandmentalhealth.com.au/referrals/

Call us at 1300 853 293 or send and email to referral@handinhandmentalhealth.com.au

27/10/2025

Welcome to the HandinHand Family, Dana.

Dana Breadsell is a highly experienced Psychologist and Advanced Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, endorsed in Health Psychology and registered with AHPRA. She delivers person-centred, evidence-based Behaviour Support to individuals aged 6 to 76 years through functional behaviour assessments, Behaviour Support Plans, and collaborative capacity-building with families, carers, and multidisciplinary teams.

Her approach emphasises dignity, empowerment, and sustainable outcomes, supporting individuals with autism, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, and rare genetic conditions. Dana’s experience includes psychological assessment and intervention under NDIS and Medicare, psychometric testing, behaviour strategies that reduce restrictive practices, telehealth delivery, and navigating NDIS processes.

Providing service across the southern and mid Sunshine Coast areas.

24/10/2025

Looking for an OT? We service South East Qld. Meet your local team - Gympie, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay & Brisbane. Email us at referral@handinhandmentalhealth.com.au to connect!

Self-care is more than just daily routines, it’s a pathway to independence. 🌱
From brushing teeth and dressing to grooming and routines, Occupational Therapy helps children build skills with confidence.

Small steps today create independence for tomorrow.

www.handinhandmentalhealth.com.au
referral@handinhandmentalhealth.com.au

Start the right journey today 1300 853 293

23/10/2025

Meet Jordan Curtis, a dedicated Behaviour Support Practitioner based on the Sunshine Coast, providing evidence-based, trauma-informed support for individuals with disability.

With experience across disability, mental health, and child safety, Jordan develops Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBAs), Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), and Risk Management Plans that empower individuals to live safer, more meaningful lives.

📍 Supporting participants across Sunshine Coast, Gympie, and nearby areas
🔗 Get to know Jordan more here: https://www.handinhandmentalhealth.com.au/team-members/jordan-curtis/

Want to work with Jordan, call us 1300 853 293

22/10/2025

Self-care is more than just daily routines, it’s a pathway to independence. 🌱
From brushing teeth and dressing to grooming and routines, Occupational Therapy helps children build skills with confidence.

Small steps today create independence for tomorrow.

www.handinhandmentalhealth.com.au
referral@handinhandmentalhealth.com.au

Start the right journey today 1300 853 293

21/10/2025

Distance doesn't have to mean missing out on necessary supports. Can't find a Behaviour Support Practitioner in your area. Positive Behaviour Support can be done online until local supports are available.

At Hand in Hand, we provide Positive Behaviour Support nationwide via telehealth, so families can access the right strategies no matter where they live.

Distance doesn’t have to mean missing out on support. We are here to help 1300 853 293