International Conference 2024 | Acquired Brain Injury

The 10th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health (ICSWHMH) was held in November 2024 in Melbourne. This significant event in successfully brought together social work professionals, researchers, educators, and students from around the world to discuss and share the latest developments in the field of social work in health and mental health.

Recording 1

The Ambiguity of Psychosocial Needs in Acquired Brain Injury: Understanding From the Grass Roots Up - A Social Work Perspective

Presenter: Dr Brooke Kooymans, Griffith University

In my presentation, I will explore how frontline social workers identify and define psychosocial needs in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI), highlighting the challenges and complexities of this task. Drawing on research conducted through interviews with social workers in neurorehabilitation settings across Australia, I will discuss the ambiguity surrounding psychosocial needs, how these are interpreted in practice, and the implications for policy and care outcomes. This presentation will offer valuable insights into shaping a more nuanced understanding of psychosocial needs in ABI care.

Recording 2

The Impact of Peer Support Groups: Perspectives of Adults with Acquired Brain Injury

Presenter: Dr Lauren Kosta, University of Melbourne

This session will present findings from a co-designed research study that explored lived experiences of community-based, peer-led, peer support groups and the impact these groups have on the lives of adults with an acquired brain injury (ABI). Elements of the co-design approach will also be discussed. Insights from this session are widely applicable to social workers. This is because ABI is a leading cause of disability globally and it can take years for someone to adjust to living with an ABI. As such, social workers in many different practice settings are working with people who have an ABI regardless of whether it is an explicit focus in their role. The session will also be relevant to social workers who work specifically with people who have an ABI, those running group-based interventions or peer interventions, as well as researchers interested in co-design.

Recording 3

Navigating the Policy/Practice Nexus: The Development of a Frontline Social Work Practice Model for Psychosocial Needs in Acquired Brain Injury

Presenter: Dr Brooke Kooymans, Griffith University

In my presentation, I will examine how frontline social workers navigate the complex

intersection of policy and practice while addressing the psychosocial needs of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Through interviews with social workers and organisational managers in Australia, I will share the challenges they face in defining and responding to psychosocial needs, influenced by legislation, policy, and funding structures. The presentation will introduce a frontline practice model that captures the strategies and skills social workers employ to meet the needs of adults with ABI, offering insights into navigating this intricate policy/practice nexus effectively.

AASW Credential: Disability