I hope you had a peaceful Easter and a reflective ANZAC Day. As the cooler days and nights settle in some parts of Australia, it’s a perfect time to pause, check in on your mental health, and reflect on self-compassion, emotional regulation, and supporting loved ones who may be facing mental health challenges. This month’s newsletter is packed with evidence-based strategies and inspiring new content to help you stay informed and empowered.
📚 Free Mental Health Support Service Highlight: Suicide Call Back Service The Suicide Call Back Service offers free, professional telephone and online counselling for people who are affected by suicide. Their services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provide immediate support for people who are feeling suicidal, people who are caring for someone who is suicidal, and those who have been bereaved by suicide. Sessions are provided by qualified professionals, and clients can receive ongoing scheduled counselling sessions with the same counsellor, offering continuity and deeper support.
If you or someone you know needs confidential and immediate support, the Suicide Call Back Service is here to help.
📩 Learn More Here: https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Supporting someone living with mental illness can feel overwhelming at times. Many people ask me how they can genuinely help without feeling like they’re doing or saying the wrong thing. I wrote this blog to give you clear, practical strategies for offering support while protecting your own emotional well-being.
🔍 Blog Spotlight: Supporting a Loved One with Mental Illness I get asked this all the time: How long does MHFA accreditation last, and when should I renew? So I wrote a blog to help you stay up to date.
Supporting someone with a mental illness can feel overwhelming at times. This blog explores practical ways you can offer support while also looking after your own emotional health.
📓 Read Now: https://dalsahota.com/supporting-a-loved-one-with-mental-illness/
What mental health topics matter most to you?
What mental health topics would you like to learn more about? Let me know by taking this 1-minute survey.
Monthly Podcast Recommendation
🎧 Podcast of the Month: The Imperfects – “Dr Emily on Self-Compassion & the Inner Critic” This powerful episode of The Imperfects podcast dives into how self-compassion can quieten the inner critic and improve emotional resilience. A must-listen for anyone working through self-doubt or high self-expectations.
✔ Understand the science behind self-compassion
✔ Learn how to transform your internal dialogue
📩 Listen to the Podcast Episode Here.
Monthly Book Recommendation
📚 Must-Read Book: The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Maté In The Myth of Normal, Dr. Gabor Maté challenges the widespread assumption that our modern way of living is healthy and sustainable. He explores how deeply ingrained trauma and chronic stress have become in everyday life, and how these factors often underlie many physical and mental health conditions. Through powerful case studies, personal insights, and scientific research, Dr. Maté highlights the urgent need for a more compassionate, trauma-informed approach to healing. This is an eye-opening and transformative read for anyone seeking to understand the real roots of illness, disconnection, and emotional pain.
Get it on audiobook or paperback.
Celebrating April MHFAiders
📝 Congratulations to Our April MHFAiders! A heartfelt congratulations to everyone who completed their Mental Health First Aid training this April. Your dedication to learning how to support others with empathy, confidence, and compassion is truly inspiring. Every new Mental Health First Aider makes a difference, whether it’s in workplaces, families, schools, or the wider community. Thank you for being part of the growing movement to create mentally healthier environments for all.
Interested in joining the next training? Course Calendar.
Many parents and professionals have shared their challenges in supporting emotionally intense teens. This new course is designed to provide practical tools to help navigate those tough moments. I’ve put together an on-demand program that provides practical tools and evidence-based strategies to help navigate emotional intensity in young people.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to recognize emotional intensity and dysregulation in teens
- The impact of trauma and nervous system responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn)
- Practical techniques to de-escalate emotional outbursts and build emotional resilience
- Strategies from DBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care
This self-paced course allows you to learn at your own pace, with access to videos, worksheets, and step-by-step guidance to help you support your teen with confidence.
🛍️ New Mental Health Resources at Mental Health Resource Hub
Looking for practical tools to support mental health?
New digital products are added every week at Mental Health Resource Hub (MHRH). From worksheets and workbooks to guided exercises and training materials, find the right resources to help yourself and others.
📩 Browse the latest mental health products here.
April Reflections
📝 April Reflection: Welcoming New Beginnings This month has been full of new beginnings—including welcoming a new member to my family! Meet Willow, my beautiful new kitten. I adopted her after her previous owners decided she was “too shy” for them. She’s full of energy, curiosity, and reminds me daily of the importance of play, patience, and small moments of joy. It’s been a joy watching her grow in confidence.
What new beginnings are you celebrating this month? Hit reply & share your April wins with me at dal@dalsahota.com