ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education

At the 'Synergy in Care: Better Together Primary Health Care Summit 2024' presented by Sydney North Health Network, ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education engaged general practitioners and other health care professionals with insights into the transformative role of social prescribing in primary care, highlighting its potential to enhance patient-centred outcomes.   #socialprescribing #mentalhealth #wellbeing #bettertogether

Delighted to share that the second phase of my doctoral work has been published! 🎉 Did you know that a Delphi study was conducted with 48 experts from 26 countries to establish global agreement on the definition of social prescribing? As a knowledge mobilization initiative for the Delphi study, this commentary was written with over 50 top leaders in the field to reflect on the use and utility of the outputs of this work, and where we go from here. Many thanks to my co-authors for your eagerness to journey with me in taking collaborative writing to a whole new level! Check out the commentary here: https://lnkd.in/ea9ASAMZ Check out the Delphi study here: https://lnkd.in/gei8yhdJ National Academy for Social Prescribing Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education

So exciting to be a part of this awesome event! Huge thanks to Mental Health Australia for coordinating!

#Pharmacy and community health centres are both fantastic places to embed #SocialPrescribing. It was great to have a quick catch up with pharmacist Tarek Hussein and Paula Muis (who’s helped ASPIRE with some qualitative research) in Kingston, ON today - the original capital of Canada. Wonderful to see pharmacy playing such a strong role in social prescribing, especially in supporting marginalised communities and hard-to-reach groups. Also exciting to visit the neighbouring community health centre, with its impressive range of services: from social prescribing and early childhood intervention programs to food security, integrated care, dentistry, and a variety of activities. It’s an excellent example of how pharmacy can play a pivotal role in partnering with health and community services in advancing social prescribing. Wishing Australian colleagues like Steve Morris and Jenny Kirschner could have joined us—you’ve got to come to the next #CISP Social Prescribing conference here! Excited for what’s ahead both at home 🇦🇺 and in Canada 🇨🇦 ! Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-isolation (PALS)

What a conference!! It was amazing to be in person with many of the social prescribing leaders from Canada, England, Australia, Brazil, and the U.S! I learned a lot about how this is done differently in different countries - with a strong concentration on equity, social determinants, and social connection across the provinces in Canada. Australia has made great progress getting incorporated into policy over its last 10 years, and the UK has been amazing with its provision of link workers and concentration on the arts. I have been thinking a lot about how we move forward the SP movement in the US - likely with a concentration on human connection as a central core with the arts, green prescribing, and service as our tools. It’s an exciting time and we have a lot of work in place to move this forward. UCSF’s SIREN has been doing a fantastic job bringing the social determinants to the forefront. We did put our stake in the ground with the intention to have the next North American Social Prescribing conference put on by Social Prescribing USA in late 2025 or early 2026! Social Prescribing USA Julia Hotz Chris Appleton Ivory Rose, OTD Jill Sonke Kate Mulligan Charlotte Osborn-Forde JR Baker Siân Brand Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education

This might be one small hop for a roo, but this conference was one giant leap for community and connection. What an adventure of global connection, kindness, hope, purpose, joy and opportunity creation social prescribing can be. Well done to the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing and all the brilliant attendees! #socialprescribing #borderless #CreatingOpportunitiesTogether

Hot off the press - some economic modelling for social prescribing from our colleagues in Canada. 🏥💰🚴🎨 ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing Rosemary V Calder Leanne Wells Nadine Tongia Lexi Marsh Jennifer Black Jo Winwood Eugene McGarrell GAICD Jacqui Greig Lucille Chalmers Susan Conaghan Rosanne Freak-Poli Genevieve Dingle Joanne Tester Dr Liz Develin Emily Lancsar

Key public health insights from Rosanne Freak-Poli on healthy ageing for those 65 🌿👵👴 To support healthy ageing, Rosanne’s research highlights several actions to improve well-being and reduce loneliness: Address social determinants of health simultaneously 🌍 Seek help if you feel lonely 3 or more times per week 💬 Participate in community activities 3 times per month 🏡 Engage in informal caregiving at least once per week 🤝 Connect with 4 or more relatives or close friends per month 📞 Aim to have 3 people to discuss private matters or call for help when needed 💡 The cost of loneliness in Australia is estimated at $1.7 billion, with men experiencing weak social connections facing an increased risk of dementia. Social isolation is about reduced contact and resources, while loneliness can increase stress and anxiety. Combatting these issues with strong social networks and support is essential for healthier, longer lives. #HealthyAgeing #PublicHealth #SocialSupport #Loneliness #CommunityWellbeing #Dementia #MentalHealth #Australia

Understanding the link between chronic conditions, social isolation, and loneliness 🧠💬 Social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of chronic conditions, and chronic conditions, in turn, heighten the risk of isolation and loneliness. To break this cycle, we need to dive into the psychological factors that drive and maintain these problems. Early work by Prof Viviana Wuthrich has shown that cognitive factors play a key role in addressing loneliness. For example, challenging unhelpful thoughts about the availability of social support can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness. Additionally, strategies that increase social activities can improve both social isolation and loneliness. Mental health professionals have a range of tools they can adapt to target these issues, helping clients overcome the psychological barriers to connection and well-being. 🛠️✨ Viviana Wuthrich #MentalHealth #SocialIsolation #Loneliness #ChronicConditions #CognitiveTherapy #CommunityWellbeing #SocialSupport  

Fascinating insights from Prof Genevieve Dingle’s presentation on social prescribing (SP) and mental health at today's conference! 🎤 Gen’s research in Queensland focused on 59 adults with chronic mental health conditions who joined community choirs, creative writing, and arts-based groups. 🎨✍️ The findings highlighted that individuals' identification with the group played a key role in changing how they saw themselves and in improving mental wellbeing. Belonging and connection were crucial. The research identified the benefits of group involvement: Enhanced sense of belonging 🤝 Increased self-efficacy 💪 Positive emotions 😊 Social support – both giving and receiving 🤲 Purpose – learning and engaging in meaningful activities 🎯 One of the most significant barriers to joining social groups? Mental health, affecting 71% of those surveyed. Overcoming anxiety, finding safety, and rebuilding confidence were essential to breaking down these barriers. Gen also emphasised how SP can offer a ‘social cure’ for loneliness, showing that group engagement can rebuild a sense of worth, help individuals find their fit with others, and build skills that are recognised by peers. The role of the link worker is critical, helping clients navigate barriers to accessing groups, and keeping conversations going about ‘what matters to you’—supporting long-term social engagement and positive outcomes. 🌟 Such thought-provoking research on the importance of social support in mental health recovery! #SocialPrescribing #MentalHealth #SocialSupport #CommunityWellbeing #Belonging #Loneliness #SocialConnection