Free webinars to boost mental wellbeing
UniSC's Thompson Institute gives you evidenced based lifestyle interventions to boost mental clarity, wellbeing and calm. Arm yourself with a research-backed approach to looking after your mental health and brain health, with our free webinar series. If you're confused by the contradictory or questionable health advice found online, these webinars will clarify what really works - and why.
Hear expert advice about lifestyle changes backed by neuroscience that can help you to:
- Get better quality sleep
- Manage stress
- Eat food that supports optimal brain function
- Regain your focus
- Enhance emotional resilience
- Boost performance and productivity
- Prioritise social connection, and much more.
Day or time not suitable? Registrants can access webinar recordings for one month after each event.
Webinar calendar
Social connectedness: Why it matters for your brain and mental wellbeing
13 February, 12noon–1pm (AEST)
Being socially connected not only feels good – research shows that it’s good for our brain and mental wellbeing as well! Discover how your brain is wired for social connection and the often overlooked benefits of social connectedness.
The brain-body connection: Stress and anxiety
27 March, 12noon–1pm (AEST)
Discover the fascinating link between brain and body when we experience stress and anxiety. Drawing on neuroscience, this presentation reveals the surprising benefits of short-term stress and explains the potential longer-term impact of chronic stress. You’ll learn about how anxiety affects the brain and body and leave the session armed with practical tips for managing stress.
Past webinars
Healthy habits and goal setting
January 2025
Healthy habits around sleep, nutrition and physical activity can support your mental health and wellbeing. Kickstart your new year with evidence-based tips for setting meaningful goals and optimising your strategy to achieve them. You'll gain neuroscience insights and practical guidance, to help you create a roadmap to your goals.
Sleep refresh: What quality sleep really looks like
We all know that sleep is essential. But do you understand the fascinating impacts quality sleep (or lack of it) has on your brain? Sleep is essential for mood, cognitive function, healthy brain ageing and systemic physiological function. This presentation reveals the brain benefits of sleep and shares practical insights for sleeping better.
Neuroscience of stress and anxiety
Enhance your wellbeing and learn strategies to lower stress and anxiety in this expert presentation. Drawing on cutting edge neuroscience, this presentation explains how stress and anxiety interacts with the brain. You’ll also discover how evidence-based lifestyle tips and cognitive strategies can lower stress and anxiety, leading to greater calm and wellbeing.
Changing attitudes to mental health
Stigma is a leading barrier to help-seeking and subsequent recovery for people experiencing mental illness. This presentation explores the different types of mental health stigma and offers participants tools and strategies for developing healthy, helpful attitudes towards mental health.
Eat smart: Nutrition for your brain
Research shows that food may influence mood, brain chemistry, cognitive function and the risk of dementia as we get older. This presentation will reveal what foods to eat for general wellbeing, better brain function and healthy brain ageing.
Healthy brains for life
Research shows that certain lifestyle factors can reduce the risk of dementia, support cognitive function and modify brain ageing processes. Learn evidence-based strategies in this presentation to look after your brain health now and into the future.
Introduction to mental health and neuroscience
A general introduction to mental health awareness, covering common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and substance use. The session also explores a neurobiologically-informed paradigm of mental health and covers some general signs that mental healthcare may be needed, how to provide support to others and practice self-care.
Mindfulness to train your brain
Mindfulness is an evidence-based strategy for improved focus, attention and mental wellbeing. This presentation offers insights into the brain benefits of mindfulness, as well as practical strategies for busy people to incorporate mindfulness into their work and lives.
Neuroscience of trauma
More than half of Australians will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime and stress disorders are now the most common mental illness in Australia. Learn about how trauma can impact the brain and the neuroscience of disorders such as PTSD.
These events are offered free to the community thanks to funding support from the Australian Government.