Join Dr Sarah Gauci and Dr Tetyana Rocks for this one-hour live webinar exploring the intersection of cardiovascular health, mental health, and diet.
Cardiovascular disease and mental ill health are leading contributors to the global burden of disease. On their own, these conditions have profound impacts on individuals and society – and they frequently co-occur, compounding outcomes and complexity of care.
Brought to you by Deakin University’s Food & Mood Academy, this webinar will examine the bi-directional relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease, including the increased risk of cardiovascular events in people with mental ill health, and the heightened incidence of depression and anxiety following cardiac events.
With more people than ever surviving cardiac events, it’s time to shift our focus to improving the quality of life for individuals who have lived through a cardiac event.
Importantly, we will explore the emerging role of diet as a modifiable factor that can influence both cardiovascular and mental health (from prevention to treatment) and consider how nutrition can be integrated into cardiac rehabilitation.
This webinar was recorded from a live webinar in October 2025.
What will you learn?
- Explore the interconnected pathways between cardiovascular and mental health and understand how they influence each other.
- Examine the role of diet as both a preventive and therapeutic tool for supporting mental well-being and cardiovascular health.
- Identify current clinical practices and evidence gaps, with a focus on opportunities to integrate nutritional care and mental health support more effectively.
- Gain practical, evidence-based strategies you can apply in your own clinical setting to support patients’ mental and cardiovascular health through dietary interventions.
Who will you learn with?
Dr Sarah Gauci is a Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Food & Mood Centre. Her expertise encompasses diet, cardiovascular health and brain health. Her current research explores the interrelationship between brain health (both mental health and cognitive health) and heart health. Dr Gauci is funded by SOLVE CHD an NHMRC Synergy Grant.
Dr Tetyana Rocks is Director of Deakin University’s Food & Mood Academy, and a senior research fellow who leads the translational activities within the Food & Mood Centre. Dr Rocks is an accredited dietitian with extensive experience in professional education.
Moderated by Phelia Harrison
Contact us at foodmoodacademy@deakin.edu.au if you have any questions.
Want to dive deeper into Lifestyle Medicine or Nutritional Psychiatry?
The Food & Mood Academy, free online course: Food & Mood has been updated for 2026 with new resources, evidence and content. Sign up for free now.
Explore accredited CPD courses developed by your presenters and hosted online by FutureLearn:
- Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health Services: Life and Mind accredited by RACGP
- Introduction to Nutritional Psychiatry: Nutri-Psyche accredited by RANZCP and BSLM