Tune into the Irish Support Agency's Dóchas Podcast. A podcast designed to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the Irish Community in Australia.
Each session will explore a different aspect of health and wellbeing, guided by the latest evidence and facilitated by an expert in the field.
Gambling is deeply woven into Australian culture, from sports betting and pokies to online casinos, and while many people engage casually, Australia also records some of the highest gambling participation rates in the world. For members of the Irish community, this can be particularly confronting. In Ireland, gambling is not as visible or widespread, which can leave Irish migrants especially vulnerable to the risks here in Australia.
In this webinar, we explore the reality of gambling in Australia and unpack the factors that make it so widespread. We are delighted to be joined by Dr. Kate Fennessy, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the St. Vincent’s Hospital Gamble Aware Program. Dr. Kate shares insights into how gambling addiction develops, what’s happening in the brain, and the risk factors that leave some people more vulnerable than others. We also discuss the far-reaching impacts, from financial stress to relationship breakdowns, mental health struggles, and even suicide risk.
Importantly, we highlight early warning signs to look out for and share practical advice on how to support a loved one without pushing them away. You hear about the treatment options and supports available in Australia.
Whether you’re personally affected, supporting someone you care about, or simply want to understand this important issue more deeply, this webinar offers valuable knowledge, practical takeaways, and a message of hope: recovery is possible, and help is always available.
3 Dec 2024TRANSCRIPT
Dóchas - Embracing Christmas in Australia
Irish Support Agency's Dóchas podcast explores how to navigate homesickness during the festive season by embracing the people, food, and sense of connection that make a place feel like home.
7 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
Dóchas - Understanding and destigmatising loneliness
Join us as we explore the epidemic of loneliness, why we feel shame to admit that we are lonely, the importance of connection, and how we can seek out connection in adulthood despite a fear of rejection.
Humans have a fundamental need to form and maintain supportive interpersonal relationships. When this need goes unmet, people may experience a variety of negative consequences, including loneliness.
People who feel lonely often are ashamed to admit it. They think it’s equivalent to admitting that they are not likeable or that they’re socially insufficient in some way.
As expats, our sense of loneliness can be exacerbated by our lack of familial support and friendships. Often, the advice given is to put yourself 'out there', and while that is important, it is also important to acknowledge that for some people, this isn't easy. So if we are experiencing a fear of rejection or social anxiety, how can we connect with others in a meaningful way?
15 Oct 2024TRANSCRIPT
Dóchas - Existing in the in-between
A conversation about the uncertainties of life, balancing between the familiar comforts of home and the new experiences in Australia, and the challenge of committing to long-term decisions as an expat.
The in-betweens are the moments we’re unsure—of who we are, where we’re going, what we should be doing next.
Existing in the in-betweens means finding a way to let go of all the expectations that we had created in ourselves and replacing them with new dreams and goals. It means building a new road map as life shifts.
An issue many face after leaving Ireland. Join us as we share our shared experiences, and for those who have navigated this journey, how did they come out the other side?
5 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT
Dóchas - Accessing mental health support
Dóchas is back for a new season!
To kick off the new season, we’re taking it back to basics. With the growing number of Irish people relocating to Australia, navigating the country’s complex mental health system can be challenging. Join us as we explore the support options available to you, with or without Medicare.
We'll also delve into the different types of mental health services on offer, from Psychiatry and Psychology to Counselling and Psychotherapy. No matter your personal circumstances, tune in to uncover the paths that might be right for you.
Click here to access the resources discussed in this episode - https://www.irishsupportagency.org.au/other-mental-health-supports
6 Feb 2024TRANSCRIPT
Dóchas - Reflections on Alcohol; Pt 2
We are returning to further reflect on our relationship with alcohol. Our last episode really seemed to resonate with the community and so as a New Year begins, we wanted to continue this conversation.
Alcohol can not only affect our physical health, but it can also significantly affect our mental health and emotional wellbeing. When the morning after comes, we can be riddled with the ‘fear’ and anxiety, and we ask ourselves, is it really worth it?
Some people may drink alcohol to relax or help cope with daily stresses; however, alcohol is a depressant drug that can cause anxiety and increase stress. Some people may drink to increase the confidence and reduce social anxiety, some people drink just for the sake of it on a night out. But excessive social drinking can lead to a world of problems when alcohol can negatively affect thoughts, feelings and actions, and contribute to the development of, or worsen, existing mental health issues over time.
We are joined by Hazel and Ollie, who have their own personal and story with alcohol to share.
We will dig deep, and find out why they have chosen to give up alcohol, what problem drinking looked like for them, and how their life has changed since giving up.
Show notes:
App: https://iamsober.com/en/site/home
Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/learning-as-i-go/id1613155026
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/millie-mackintosh-on-quitting-drinking-perfectionism/id1295306961?i=1000634227571
Supports:
https://align56.com/
5 Dec 2023
Festive Finances
As 2023 comes to a close, many of us will be feeling the pinch financially, with the cost of living rising.
So with this in mind, we will be joined by Jessica Brady, a leading licensed financial adviser in Australia and has over 17 yrs experience in the Financial Services industry, working with some of the biggest names in finance including, Macquarie Bank, CBA and Zurich. Recently she launched, The Greenhouse -an online program designed to make accessing affordable financial programs jargon free, stigma free and fun!
We will be exploring why Christmas time induces us to spend more money and how can we set boundaries with ourself and others when it comes to Christmas spending.
If you have taken a big hit financially in 2023, we will look at how can we look towards our financial future in 2024 without dread and anxiety.
28 Nov 2023
Trauma - The Long Shadow
The original recording was a webinar, hence the reference to slides, the audio content is still very worthwhile. If you would like to see the slides used, please go to the Youtube epsiode.
Unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our lives, leaving a profound and enduring impact on our emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. The wounds of the past can manifest in various ways, from persistent anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem to difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. These unresolved experiences may influence our coping mechanisms, leading to maladaptive behaviours such as substance abuse or self-destructive patterns. Additionally, trauma can affect our ability to trust and connect with others, hindering our capacity for intimacy and often perpetuating a cycle of isolation.
For this episode, we are joined by psychotherapist Helen O’Byrne, who has a practice in Neutral Bay and works with clients from many backgrounds and walks of life,. Helen has a deep understanding how unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our lives.
Helen helps us to understand what trauma actually looks like and what we can begin to do in our adult lives to address this and start to move forward.
Show notes: ;
Helen O'Byrne - helen@elysianpsychotherapy.com.au
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EEmmIJ6cXY
Recommended Books:
Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine PHD
The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
The Myth of Normal - Gabor Mate, MD
Waking The Tiger - Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine PHD
10 Oct 2023
Sleep is your superpower
Have you ever had a poor night's sleep and you notice your mood, energy and attention span has completed depleted?
Sleep plays a pivotal role in maintaining and promoting good mental health. Sleep is also a cornerstone of good physical health. It serves as the body's natural reset button, allowing the brain to consolidate memories, process emotions, the immune system strengthens, and hormones, such as those that regulate appetite and metabolism, are balanced.
When we consistently get an adequate amount of quality sleep, our cognitive functions are optimised, enabling us to think clearly, make sound decisions, and manage stress effectively.
On the other hand, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a range of mental and physical health issues, it can also exacerbate existing conditions.
Join Emer McDermott, Clinical Psychologist, who views Sleep as one our Superpowers! Something that significantly improve our overall wellbeing. We will dive into some of the causes of ill-sleep and what we can actually do (that works!) to get a better night's sleep.
7 Sept 2023
Relationships- Fostering healthy relationships and demystifying myths
In this episode of Dóchas, we will be looking at relationships, in particular with a partner. As an expat, often romantic relationships can have additional stresses put on them, so we want to create a safe space where we could talk about the issues that we can face in terms of boundaries, communication and expectations.
We are delighted to be joined by Katie O’Donoghue, originally from Cork, Katie is the resident relationship coach at the online counselling practice 'The Indigo Project', host of the self-help podcast 'Self Explained' and creator of 'Reclamation' a newly launched self-paced Inner Child program. She coaches a mix of singles and individuals in relationships who are looking to rewire their patterns so that they can rewire their relationships.
6 Sept 2023
Returning to Ireland: The Personal Perspective
In this episode of Dóchas, we will be hearing from members of the community who have made the return home to Ireland.
Everyone has their own story to tell and experience to share. Some have found the move to be exactly what they hoped for, that returning to Ireland has filled a void that was present as an expat. Being close to our loved ones is the driving force behind many people’s choice to return. However, some have found the move quite difficult, logistically and emotionally. Saying goodbye to an established life and friends is never easy. Often, when people return, they realise that life has not stood still whilst they have been away and that many people have moved on with their lives.
Making such a move, is a very personal decision, and one that is not easy. Especially when there is so much chatter on the subject, that you don’t know what to believe.
People also have to return in times of crisis or distress, which can cause an additional level of turmoil in a difficult situation.
So weighing all of this up, we felt it was important to hear from those who have made the move and ask whether they have any particular insights to share.
We will be joined by Donna McKiernan, Natalie Lucey and James Parnell.
In 2016, James returned to Dublin after 16 years in Sydney.
He published several articles in the Irish Times about his experience, appeared on RTE, TodayFM and Newstalk and participated in Irish Government forums helping emigrants return to Ireland. Mostly though, James is a fellow emigrant navigating through his new life and wanting to share the journey with fellow returnees.
4 Sept 2023
Avoiding the wellbeing overwhelm
The wellbeing movement has seen a huge surge in its following over the past 15 years. From healthy eating, to exercise programs, and self-care strategies, the amount of information that is being shared is vast, but how can we distinguish between fads and trends, and research and science backed approaches?
Join Roisin Trainor, Founder of Mind Yourself, Mental Health First Aid Training and Wellbeing Practitioner and Alan Earls, Project Lead at Sydney Safe Space, as we dive into the changes that have occurred in the health and mental health space, and we learn to separate fact from fiction.
This enlightening episode sparks a very interesting conversation and poses questions such as, is it our own responsibility for the information that we consume, or is there a shared responsibility with those who are circulating this information and misinformation?
10 Aug 2023
Managing Expectations
Have you ever felt pressure to achieve a certain milestone—a career, marriage, education or motherhood—by a certain age?
At some point, many of us will have witnessed how society’s expectations of what we should have in our lives—and by when—affects us. How it demoralises us. How it becomes a driving force in our lives and the inflection point of our decisions.
So how can we get a better understanding of what it is we actually want in life, things that align with our values, versus, the expectations that we put on ourselves, through social conditioning and being told, well this is what you should want, and also a sense of inherited legacy from our parents?
Join us as we delve deep into this with Irish expat and psychotherapist Claire Quigley.
4 Jul 2023
Settled: The Irish Emigrant's journey to settlement in Australia
Join us as we explore the choice that Irish emigrants make on permanently settling in Australia. We will be chatting with a number of people who have chosen to call Australia home.
Some have lived here longer than others, and some have found the decision easier to make than others, but for their own personal reasons, they chose to emigrate to Australia and permanently settle here.
As an expat, we are often faced with the unbearable decision as to where to spend the rest of our lives. For some, the pull of the heartstrings to Ireland, calls them back home. For others, that pull, is not enough, and whilst they may miss Ireland and their family, the life they have created in Australia, wins out.
This episode aims to bring a sense of hope and optimism about a future in Australia, but we will also be asking the tough questions about how difficult the journey might have been.
27 Jan 2023
Coping with a serious illness living abroad
Hear from people who have had this experience and a professional's guidance if you find yourself in this situation.
A diagnosis of cancer, or other serious illness can be devastating. But there are ways to cope with the emotional distress and preserve your quality of life.
Many serious health problems seem to develop unexpectedly, upsetting your life out of the blue. You may feel overwhelmed by waves of difficult emotions—from fear and worry to profound sadness, despair, and grief—or just numb, frozen by shock or the feeling that you’ll never be able to cope. The emotional upheaval can make it difficult to function or think straight, and even lead to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
But whatever your diagnosis or emotional response, it’s important to know that you’re not powerless.
We will hear from Martine, Helen and Gillian who have all been through their own journey with a health diagnosis and we will also chat to Conor McCaffrey, GP who offers some information about healthcare for serious illness and how we can look after ourselves mentally during this time.
6 Dec 2022
Reflections on Alcohol
Join us as we examine our relationship with alcohol, especially during the festive season and how to recognise problem drinking and addiction in ourselves and our loved ones.
The festive season is a good time to reflect on our drinking culture and the way we drink.
Alcohol can not only affect our physical health but it can also significantly affect our mental health and emotional wellbeing. Some people may feel down over Christmas and New Year, and drinking can make this worse.
The relationship between alcohol and mental health is complex. Some people may drink alcohol to relax or help cope with daily stresses; however, alcohol is a depressant drug that can cause anxiety and increase stress. Alcohol can negatively affect thoughts, feelings and actions, and contribute to the development of, or worsen, existing mental health issues over time.
We are delighted to be joined by Joan Purcell, COO of Foundation House, Geraldine Leyden who has lived experience of alcohol addiction and Melissa Meenan who made the decision to stop drinking in her late twenties.
Show notes:
Geraldine Leyden - https://www.instagram.com/serenitytenx/
Melissa Meenan - https://www.instagram.com/lady_mil123/
Joan Purcell - jpurcell@foundationhouse.net.au / https://www.foundationhouse.net.au/
15 Nov 2022
Supporting a loved one through a crisis.
Supporting a loved one through a crisis is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to do, and so often we tough it out alone. We do our best with the skills and knowledge we have, but often we’re fumbling in the dark, unsure of whether we’re on the right track, afraid of doing more harm than good.
While most people have some intuition and the best of intentions when it comes to caring for loved ones in crisis, most people could benefit from some upskilling provided by a mental health professional, alongside a group of people going through a similar experience. We will be joined by clinical psychologist Emer McDermott and our special guest Sean Keenan who is living through this experience.
16 Oct 2022
Dóchas - Eating Disorders
On Monday 10th October, on World Mental Health Day, we explored eating disorders, in all of their complexity. We were delighted to be joined by Kate Mulray from The Butterfly Foundation. The Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them.
We were also joined by Jane Murphy, who has experience of living with an eating disorder and we are entirely grateful to her for sharing her story. We spoke about what eating disorders are, some of the myths associated with them and we discussed accessing support in the healthcare system.
This was a really informative discussion, and we would encourage you all to take a listen.
Content Warning: We discuss eating disorders and there will be mentions of suicide and mortality. If any of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or upset then Butterfly has a national helpline that you can contact from 8am-midnight, 7 days per week on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673). www.butterfly.org.au (https://www.butterfly.org.au/)
Inside a recent episode
Dóchas - Let's talk Gambling
Published 14 Oct 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I tend to start at the beginning I know it seems obvious but what is gambling because I do hear some different definitions that the one I like to use is this one risking something of value for the chance to win something of greater value meaning that you're risking something which is the stake on the outcomes of chance which is the bet to win a prize so you need those three ingredients for it to be gambling the stake the bet and the prize. Gambling is normal it seems to be have been around since human beings have been around and it also seems to be the case that a proportion of people who gamble have had problems throughout history as well. […]
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