Sex and Death: Tender Conversations

In today’s episode, we examine some of the things we hold near to our hearts but might be afraid to talk about. We talk openly about suicide from those with personal experience and what the research says. This is a story of hope, not despair. 

We then have an interview we hope you’ll love as much as we do! 

We interview a sex worker who specialises in working with clients who have dementia, living within aged care facilities. Though eye-opening, this is a story of tenderness, not titillation.

*This episode has a significant focus on suicide. If you need to talk to someone, please visit the Mindframe website where you will find a list of contacts.

Guests: 

Associate Professor Fiona Shand is an expert in suicide prevention, driven from both professional interest and personal experiences. Dr Shand is a senior researcher at the Black Dog Institute and at the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention. She is also a practising clinical psychologist who has worked extensively with a variety of people, including those experiencing issues relating to mood, problematic eating and substance use. 

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Caz conducts Club Mind with Alyse, Brie and Steve who talk candidly about their personal relationship with suicide, and the ways in which they navigated it.

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Julie Bates AO has been a sex worker and activist for more than four decades. She’s been at the forefront of the Australian sex worker rights movement since the early 80s. She has been a pioneer and champion for the rights of sex workers and mobilising the sex industry against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Today, she is still a passionate advocate working as an adviser to the sex industry and other stakeholders and organisations in matters of work health and safety and local government planning matters. Julie is also sex worker, working primarily with clients in their golden years, often with dementia and living in aged care facilities.