Papers by Fredrik Velander
British journal of social work, May 25, 2024
On 1st of March 2008, at the request of the Norseman Aboriginal Community and following extensive... more On 1st of March 2008, at the request of the Norseman Aboriginal Community and following extensive consultation and negotiations with stakeholders and community members facilitated by the Drug and Alcohol Office (Department of Health, WA) and Population Health (Goldfields), the following voluntary restrictions were imposed on the sale of take away alcohol: "Between 12 midday and 6pm, Monday to Sunday, red and white Lambrusco wine was limited to one 5 litre cask per person per day, port wine was limited to one 2 litre cask per person per day and non fortified wine was limited to one 4 litre cask per person per day. No sales of the above mentioned products were permitted at any other time." This report collates quantitative and qualitative data gathered from a number of sources to evaluate the effect of the restrictions including: alcohol-related emergency department and hospital admission data; alcohol related offences; alcohol sales data; and the views of community members ...
2020 ANZSWWER Symposium and NFEN Workshop, 2020
Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2017
Research often portrays those who engage in body piercing in a negative stereotypical light infer... more Research often portrays those who engage in body piercing in a negative stereotypical light inferring them as “fringe dwellers,” from broken homes and subject to abuse (Armstrong, Roberts, Owen, & Koch, 2004a). It has also been suggested that there is a link between piercing and early sexualisation (Bragg, 2012; Goldie, Dowie, Goldie, Cotton, & Morrison, 2015). However, rather than a marker of pathology, body piercing has been linked to a more positive expression of self and identity (Preti et al., 2006). It is claimed that body modifications including piercings show a unique relationship between the person and their piercings (Stirn, Oddo, Peregrinova, Philipp, & Hinz, 2011). Motivations for piercings may include self-expression and selfidentity as well as rebellion. The popularity of body art in recent years estimates 25% of adults aged between 18 and 25 have tattoos and 33–50% have body piercings (Armstrong, Roberts, Owen, & Koch, 2004b). Furthermore, those with tattoos and body piercings are reported to be no different from the general population concerning level of education and health status (Tate & Shelton, 2008). This descriptive pilot survey explores the motivating behaviours that underpin the rationales for body piercings.
A comprehensive health screening was conducted with 591 workers from a goldmine in Western Austra... more A comprehensive health screening was conducted with 591 workers from a goldmine in Western Australia to inform company health promotion programs. We investigated lifestyle and work-related health risk factors using a specifically designed survey, screened for depression, anxiety and stress using the DASS-21 questionnaire and the AUDIT for alcohol consumption. Results show that rates of smoking, diabetes, depression and anxiety were higher than respective national rural and remote state figures. Frequent and high levels of work-related stress and personal stress were significantly associated with harmful drinking, depression, anxiety and stress, even after adjusting for a number of independent variables. The results suggest that the psycho-social working environment in the WA mining industry is challenging and may be responsible for the high rates of mental health issues observed in this study.
Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 2010
Aims: This study investigates the knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol related harm minimizati... more Aims: This study investigates the knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol related harm minimization initiatives in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, as part of a community project aimed at reducing harms associated with excessive drinking. Methods: Baseline data were collected from a stratified, community sample, using a purpose designed instrument. The community's readiness was determined by interviewing key stakeholders and community leaders, using the 'Readiness for Change' interview instrument. Findings: There were substantial levels of binge drinking accompanied by low awareness of alcohol as a local problem and lack of knowledge about interventions that are currently operating in the community. Support for measures designed to reduce problems associated with excessive use of alcohol was polarized. Community readiness to tackle alcohol related issues was low indicating a need for awareness raising. Conclusions: These findings are critical to informing the development of interventions to ensure they are tailored to this community's needs and abilities. Since knowledge and awareness of alcohol related issues are low in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the first step in changing community attitudes is to create greater awareness of these issues and their consequences, and provide information on potential interventions to address the current problems.
On 1st of March 2008, at the request of the Norseman Aboriginal Community and following extensive... more On 1st of March 2008, at the request of the Norseman Aboriginal Community and following extensive consultation and negotiations with stakeholders and community members facilitated by the Drug and Alcohol Office (Department of Health, WA) and Population Health (Goldfields), the following voluntary restrictions were imposed on the sale of take away alcohol: Between 12 midday and 6pm, Monday to Sunday, red and white Lambrusco wine was limited to one 5 litre cask per person per day, port wine was limited to one 2 litre cask per person per day and non fortified wine was limited to one 4 litre cask per person per day. No sales of the above mentioned products were permitted at any other time. This report collates quantitative and qualitative data gathered from a number of sources to evaluate the effect of the restrictions including: alcohol-related emergency department and hospital admission data; alcohol related offences; alcohol sales data; and the views of community members and other ke...
If you wish to contact a Curtin researcher associated with this document, you may obtain an email... more If you wish to contact a Curtin researcher associated with this document, you may obtain an email address from
Social Work Education, 2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic, educators around the globe seek to understand how to support studen... more During the COVID-19 pandemic, educators around the globe seek to understand how to support students whose academic performance is impacted by mental health challenges. This article presents a co-operative inquiry undertaken by colleagues in Canada and Australia, responding to the question; what insights can the existing Carleton University framework of reflective questions offer to educators responding to student mental health challenges in social work education during the COVID-19 pandemic? The risks and complexities of attending to student mental health needs are illustrated by a pandemic-informed case study that extends the framework into this unique context and illustrates the importance of respecting learning requirements, combating discrimination, protecting students' rights, and honouring the professional and legislative mandates of social work within all responses aimed at supporting student mental health resilience during COVID-19. This article acknowledges the limitati...
ABSTRACT Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
Social work curricula and education is undertaking a transformation. Eco-social models of practic... more Social work curricula and education is undertaking a transformation. Eco-social models of practice that encompass environmental and sustainability issues can no longer be ignored, especially in a dominant capitalist society. This paper will present insight into the journey and challenges undertaken in delivering environmental social work and sustainability curricula and education for practice. In 2016 Charles Sturt University was the first university in Australia to be certified as carbon neutral and recognised as being 'green'. This is not only reflected in the footprint of the University, but also in the curricula and education perspectives for social work education and practice. In 2016 key decisions were undertaken by the Course Director to build core and elective components into both the undergraduate and postgraduate social work course structures that were dedicated to eco-social and environmental social work. This encompassed governance, policy and practice for future practitioners in a range of areas including mental health, vulnerable populations, climate change, eco refugees, disaster recovery, and community resilience. The revision also integrated core curricula reflecting Indigenous Australian practice for human service workers that views sustainability and eco-social work through the lenses of our traditional custodians. This journey is taking social work in the right direction.
Creating Healthy Workplaces evidence review series VicHealth commissioned five international evid... more Creating Healthy Workplaces evidence review series VicHealth commissioned five international evidence reviews to build a body of evidence and knowledge about effective workplace health interventions. Both full and summary reports are available for each of the five evidence reviews: • Preventing race-based discrimination and supporting cultural diversity in the workplace • Preventing violence against women in the workplace • Reducing alcohol-related harm in the workplace • Reducing prolonged sitting in the workplace Reducing alcohol-related harm in the workplace An evidence review: full report 5 'duty of care' obligations, prevent procedural uncertainty, demonstrate commitment to safety and education, and facilitate 'peer support' that potentially positively informs workplace behaviour and culture. It has been suggested that workplaces should develop policies on a collaborative and consultative basis and they should be clearly communicated to all staff once developed. C. a. Health promotion programs Intervention papers Rather than being specifically, or uniquely, concerned with minimising the impact of harms associated with alcohol consumption, health promotion programs are more broadly concerned with improving or promoting the general 'health' and 'wellbeing' of the workforce through education aimed at behavioural change, risk or harm prevention, and changes to the workplace environment. Although there is much 'promising work' and some clear guidance, quality evidence about effective health promotions to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm in the workplace is limited. Where supporting evidence is available, one common theme appears to be the use of brief intervention approaches that have been clearly demonstrated to have an impact in other settings. b. Employee assistance programs Employee assistance programs (EAPs) have primarily involved the assessment and identification of employees with alcohol-related problems and their referral to treatment. Although EAPs are among the most commonly used strategies in Australia, and overseas, to reduce alcohol problems in the workplace, these programs are seldom evaluated, and little is known about their effectiveness. Many studies have indicated that a large proportion of EAP attendees are self-referrals, so perhaps the key element should be an approach that gives employees in need greater access to a service in an environment where they spend much of their waking life: at work. c. Alcohol testing Drug and alcohol testing in the workplace is a complex and contentious issue. However, testing for alcohol alone is less contentious, particularly in safety-sensitive jobs-alcohol testing directly assesses breath/alcohol levels and these levels have been associated with given risk of impairment. However, the evidence base remains scant. In recent years, some employers have adopted an approach that incorporates the opportunity to self-test along with random testing and for-cause testing. For example, an employee will have access to hand-held breath-testing machines. If they privately test themselves and record a positive, they simply report sick. Usual procedures for sick leave are employed (e.g. frequent regular sick leave will be investigated and/or require a medical certificate). Although the approach seems to have some merit, no analysis has been reported. Victorian Health Promotion Foundation 6 d. Web-based interventions Recent research (typically well-conducted, randomised controlled trials) all points to the potential effectiveness of web-based technology for improving health outcomes in the workplace. Interestingly, it is consistent with research in other settings (e.g. university students or as part of a general health intervention) that web-based brief interventions are acceptable, have good penetration into target groups, and have an impact on drinking behaviour. It is important to note that the impact on drinking is small and generalisability across workplaces is unclear. e. Other interventions A review of 'other interventions' found that carefully targeted resources, developed in consultation and with support, appear to have impact. 'New' systems of intervention delivery (web-based approaches) appear to be acceptable, even attractive, and have reasonable penetration into the workforces where they have been trialled. When they are coupled with evidence-based brief interventions, they appear to have some impact. f. Kits Various kits have been developed to assist employers and employees to develop effective responses. Typically these are not evaluated, although a small evidence base does exist. It appears that various 'kits' have been used with varying levels of acceptance and success for promoting and implementing alcohol-related policies in the workplace. Conclusions Effective responses to alcohol-related harm in the workplace are likely to commence with the recognition that there is no single reason for risky alcohol use, no single alcohol problem and no single effective response. Many factors shape alcohol use and alcohol-related problems, and these include the availability of alcohol, the nature of work and the work culture, the pattern and context of alcohol use (in the broad community and at work) and individual characteristics. Individual, community and workplace factors increase and decrease risk. Responses to alcohol problems in the workplace will therefore need to be tailored and multifaceted. For example, approaches to prevent intoxication may be distinct from, but complement, those that aim to reduce absenteeism related to regular heavy use. Responding to problems in a remote area where work is safety-sensitive may have different characteristics to strategies used in a lower risk office environment. Given the consistent evidence about the important influence of alcohol access, it may be important to prioritise initial interventions to high-risk occupations and workplaces where alcohol is more readily available.
ABSTRACT This chapter explores community development from a vantage point where culture is essent... more ABSTRACT This chapter explores community development from a vantage point where culture is essential in empowering communities and unlocking the full potential of self-efficacy for successful and sustainable change. We approach the concept of culturally secure community development from the context of Indigenous communities across the world; however, for the purposes of this chapter, we have considered the situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. The chapter begins by providing an overview of the current situation of Indigenous populations across the world, and specifically in Australia. Within this context we present a brief overview of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history of colonization and dispossession and concurrent racism and how they gave rise to the current discrepancy in life expectancies and socioeconomic status. The concept of community, health and healing from an Aboriginal perspective are used to highlight differences between Aboriginal and Western worldviews and values, and how they define well-being. Culturally secure community development can only occur when strength-based practice is used and we move away from the notion of best practice towards a concept of wise practice, which is more appropriate for Aboriginal communities. The chapter concludes with a case study of the Norseman Aboriginal Community to illustrate aspects of wise practice and culturally secure community development and to exemplify the process undertaken to empower the community to address their health issues.
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Papers by Fredrik Velander