INTERNSHIP LOGBOOK
24 APRIL 2020
I completed my 75-hour internship with Griffith University's Service Learning Unit. I worked alongside a group of peers whom of which were journalism and public relations students. Throughout the internship my peers and I wrote stories on several social justices issues such as homelessness, environmental sustainability, mental illness and the disability sector. I found that my internship with the Service Learning Unit was incredibly eye opening and rewarding, because able to talk to real organisations that help people suffering from injustice and hear their stories is a tool I will use throughout my entire journalism career.
06/04
I was really excited to meet the staff that I would be in contact with from the Service Learning Unit as well as meeting my fellow Griffith University peers that I would be working alongside throughout the trimester. I was really excited to hear about the different topics we would be writing about and found myself drawn to mental health as I have a lot of connection with that topic. After discussing with the team I decided that my first article with be on mental illness and financial inclusion during COVID-19.
08/04
I got acquainted with Microsoft Teams as that was where myself and the team at Service Learning Unit would be communicating. I found myself a but overwhelmed with Microsoft Teams as I hadn't used it in the past and I found it quite difficult to navigate the different sections but after a while I became quite comfortable using the platform. I then began drafting my first article.
14/04
I had my second zoom call with the team, I found myself becoming more acquainted with zoom and began getting more comfortable using it. Samia gave myself and my fellow peers a due date for our first article and also provided a structure on how the piece should be formatted. I found this really helpful as prior to the meeting I was unsure how the Service Learning Team wanted stories to be formatted as they would be written for several different organisations.
15/04
I continued researching and drafting my first story and had a chat to the other interns on how they were structuring their articles. I found it really helpful that the interns had a seperate chat seperate to the Service Learning Unit staff where we could chat and discuss our ideas as interns without the added pressure of the staff seeing.
20/04
I found myself excited for the weekly zoom call as I was excited to update the team where I was when it came to my first blog post. We all took turns updating one another and voicing any concerns we may have had.
21/04
I completed a draft for my first story, I found the process in writing this story quite rewarding as it was good to see that the Australian Government were doing something for Australians that may be struggling and providing them with services that didn't cost hundreds of dollars. I also had a chat with Samia and Lou and decided that I would be doing a follow up story on the same topic for my second piece.
22/04
I decided to call Samia and have a chat today as I found myself struggling with my own mental health. I found it quite hard to put aside how I was feeling and really focus on the work in front of me. Samia was really helpful and assured me that there was no rush and to only produce content when I could, she also suggested ways in which I could deal with my mental health which included Griffith Universities mental health and wellbeing services.
23/04
I felt confident going into today, after talking to Samia and realising that I was studying and working during a pandemic that it's okay that I may be struggling and that I can only do my best. I began drafting my second article and reached out to several organisations in hopes to interview them.
24/04
After reaching out to some possible interviewees I hadn't heard back so I decided to reach out to some other organisations after researching such as The Butterfly Foundation, Mens Suicide Helpline and the Mental Health Emergency Service in hopes of another interview.
25/04
I really love that I am able to contact and chat to the Service Learning Unit staff so easily. They are always there to help us and ease any of our concerns and I found that really rewarding in an internship setting.
26/04
I decided to draft up several different questions that I could asked various organisations in regards to what I had researched about each of the different organisations. For example Men's Suicide Helpline would solely be questions about mental health in men whereas if I were interviewing a spokesperson from lifeline I could ask about any gender.
27/04
I found myself struggling with my mental health again today, I decided to have a chat to Samia over the phone on how I was feeling as I was disappointed in myself that my mental health would overall affect my performance and work ethic during this internship, I also found it frustrating that I was finding it really hard to get into contact with any of the organisations I reached out too during this time.
28/04
Today was very exciting, Samia reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in being in the welcome video for future Service Learning Unit interns. Samia informed me that Faith asked specifically for me which I found really exciting that despite my struggles so far during my internship that the staff were still happy with what I was doing. Despite some technical difficulties I found shooting this video really fun.
29/04
I spent most of the day today working hard trying to get my second story completed, although that was extremely hard due to the fact that I hadn't interviewed anyone at this point in time, I had to remember though that living through a pandemic it is no surprise that mental health and well being services would be inundated at the moment due to the many struggling Australians.
30/04
I had a phone call with Lara today which I found really helpful, as she is the direct point of contact with the Service Learning Unit partners she was able to give me some more contact information to different organisations I could possibly interview.
01/05
I had a chat to a Lifeline spokesperson today on the phone, although we were not able to do a proper interview they provided me with some information and then sent me an email with additional information on what Lifeline was doing to support Australian's during COVID-19. Although I found it frustrating that I wasn't able to conduct a proper interview with Lifeline I understand why they were not able to do so.
05/05
Today I found myself really struggling once again, I had a chat to Samia and expressed to her how I felt that I wasn't performing to the best of my ability during this internship, especially due to the lack of interviews I had been able to conduct. Samia suggested that I just continue focusing on my current story instead of trying to begin drafting a third story and that the work that I was doing was good and the Service Learning Unit team were really enjoying the content I was producing even if it was less than usual.
Samia also put me in contact with Maddy from the Griffith University Student Guild.
06/04
I completed my 75-hour internship today. While I am still disappointed in the the lack of work I did produce I am proud of the pieces I did write. I decided alongside Samia and Lou that I would continue updating my mental health and wellbeing story so that it was always as up to date as possible and that I would stay in contact with the team and join in on the weekly zoom meetings until the end of the trimester.
77 HOURS COMPLETE
Although I did not complete my final 75-hour internship to the standard I know I could usually achieve I am still incredibly thankful that I was able to complete it with the Service Learning Unit. I found it extremely rewarding that I interned with a Griffith University service as they did understand the stress I was under and that while I couldn't perform at the ability I usually would that I was still working hard to get the work I was able to produce done. I think any future students would be incredibly lucky to complete their 75-hour internship with the Griffith University Service Learning Unit.
STORIES PRODUCED FOR SERVICE LEARNING UNIT.
AUSTRALIA IS #INTHISTOGETHER
Courtney Moane
It is crazy to think that just last November the world wasn’t consumed with fear of the COVID-19 crisis, fast forward five months and the entire world is sieved with the virus.
With the outbreak of COVID-19 impacting the world in various different ways there is no surprise some people are feeling afraid, anxious and overwhelmed with the uncertainty of of the future – but what is the government doing for those whom suffer from ill mental health who now because of COVID-19 can’t afford to see their mental health care professionals?
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an enigma in mental health care, with the entire world social distancing that means more people are in need of support for anxiety, depression and an array of mental health conditions – with more and more Australians loosing their job and getting stood down everyday finding said resources are proving harder and harder.
As of March 29 the National Mental Health Commission announced the Federal Government’s mental health response to COVID-19, with an initial $74 million commitment. Alongside the $74 million the Government has introduced measures to ensure that any Australian’s who may need mental health support can access it online and by telephone.
Said measures include a $680 million telehealth package for health workers to deliver vital care to Australian’s during the current health crisis, with the Government acknowledging additional investment into support is now needed more than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic develops in Australia – promising they are continuously working closely with the mental health sector to provide support.
The $74 million mental health response mentioned above will include:
24/7 phone counselling services led by Beyond Blue and staffed by accredited mental health professionals to help Australian’s experiencing stress and anxiety with the impacts of the pandemic including health concerns, employment changes, business closures or family pressures.
Funding for critical phone and online support services such as Lifeline and Kids Helpline.
A dedicated mental health and wellbeing program for essential workers.
Headspace are expanding their study services to help Australian’s to stay on track in their education and preparing them for the workforce.
First Australian’s will receive new culturally appropriate mental health and wellbeing services which are developed by Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) across a range of various platforms.
Since the announcement of telehealth therapy platforms in early March these services have exploded into sudden prominence – mental health services that are now inaccessible through traditional means are accessible through phones and computers with telehealth understanding how important and valid it is that Australian’s want to talk about what is happening right now and how they are feeling about the current situation.
While COVID-19 is a scary and uncertain time in everyone’s life the Australian Government is paying more attention to mental health services now more than ever.
If you or someone you know is struggling due to the current COVID-19 situation, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the following either by phone call or online:
Mental Health Emergency Response Line:
Metro: 1300 555 788
Peel: 1800 676 822
Country/ Rural link: 1800 552 002
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Headspace: 1800 650 890
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
And, Men’s Line Australia: 1300 789 978
SUPPORTING YOU THROUGH THE COVID-19 GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS
Courtney Moane
It is no surprise that the current COVID-19 global health crisis has meant that the mental health and wellbeing of many Australian’s is being affected.
While it is incredibly important to stay informed with what is happening right now it is imperative to make sure you are looking after yourself and your loved ones.
Last month the Australian Government announced a $74 million mental health response to COVID-19 in which the National Mental Health Commission introduced a number of measures that would ensure that all Australian’s could get the mental health support they need 24/7.
According to a recent survey by YouGov, more than half of Australians are stressed due to the current health crisis – with 63 per cent of women and 51 per cent of men reporting the feeling of uneasiness and anxiety.
The report found that 77 per cent of the 2085 respondents felt stressed that they were unable to see their family, 61 per cent had grave concerns about not being able to pay their bills and 49 per cent feared loosing their job.
Furthermore, 48 per cent were in fear of not being able to feed their family and 38 per cent were stressed about loosing their home.
Lifeline suggest some strategies to help you to combat the feeling of anxiety and stress:
Recognise when it’s getting too much – look out for signs of stress and reach out for support when things become overwhelming for you.
Talk – release your emotions by talking to someone you trust, that could be a parent, sibling, friend or mentor. Talking can put things into perspective and releasing negative feelings is the first step to dealing with the situation positively.
Take care of yourself – try and eat well, exercise and sleep – give yourself extra time to do the things you enjoy.
Get help – don’t be afraid to reach out and admit that you are struggling, it’s okay to not be okay.
Consider professional help – while traditional forms of help are not available during this period if you are feeling heightened anxiety for a prolonged period seek professional help. Services such as Lifeline are here to help you.
Lifeline encourages anyone who is experiencing heightened anxiety, emotional distress or needs a confidential talk with someone who will listen without judgment to contact them by phone on 13 11 14 or chat to a Crisis Supporter via text on 0477 13 11 14 from 6pm to midnight, 7 days a week.
COVID-19 will have financial impact on many Australian’s including Lifeline, Headspace and other charities – your support is more important than ever, if you are in the position to donate please head to:
www.headspace.org.au/get-involved/donations
If you or someone you know is struggling due to the current COVID-19 situation, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following either by phone call or online:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Headspace: 1800 650 890
Mental Health Emergency Response Line:
Metro: 1300 555 788
Peel: 1800 676 822
Country/ Rural link: 1800 552 002
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
And, Men’s Line Australia: 1300 789 978