Program
Timetable
| Duration | Topic | Expert Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 30min | Internet & Cybersafety Important and Useful Information for Professionals Involved in the Care of Children and Teens, Q&A |
Susan Mclean Cybersafety Expert |
| 30min | Media and Sexualisation Mental Health Implications, A Look at the Evidence and What Can We Do As Professionals, Q&A |
Julie Gale Founder of Kids free 2 b kids, Writer and Performer |
| 30min | Alcohol & Drugs What You Need to Know and How to Manage the Teen Who May Be Using or Abusing, Q&A |
Paul Dillon Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia |
| 30min | Sex and Teenagers The role of the Professional |
Dr Sally Cockburn GP, Health Commentator |
| 30min | Parenting Tips & Traps How to Manage the Difficult To Control Teenager, Q&A |
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg Adolescent Psychologist |
| 60min | Panel Common Cases and Situations and How to Manage Them, More Q&A |
Topics
Current Challenges in Youth Mental Health
Alarming new figures have revealed that one in four young people are battling a mental illness, with many problems triggered by drug and alcohol abuse. In 2008 over 26.4% of young people aged 16-24 have a mental health disorder alongside anxiety disorders (15.4%), affective disorders (6.3%) and substance use disorders (12.7%). This year for the first time leading mental health experts declared a “state of emergency” in youth mental health. They said young Australians with mental disorders, 75% of which develop in adolescence, were at greater risk of suicide, self-harm and drug addiction because of gaps in treatment and that the figures had not improved in 10 years. Among all people aged 16 - 85 with a mental health disorder and symptoms in the last 12 months only 27.5% sought help from a service. Far greater levels of family breakdown than in previous generations were causing significant emotional turmoil for young people. Parents often did not recognise that a teenage mood swing could be a sign of something more serious. And many young people suffered in silence, unaware that their distress was not normal. This presentation outlines some of the challenges that the community faces with regards to youth mental health.
Sexualisation of Children in the Media Is It Good For Them?
From a very early age children and young teens are bombarded with sexually suggestive imagery and messages from both the media and their social environment. Parents often feel powerless to protect their kids from this involuntary onslaught. Julie Gale will discuss what the ‘sexualisation of children’ means and how it is impacting on kids. She will provide visual examples of what our children are exposed to on a daily basis and talk about what actions we can take to help create change.
Cyberbullying & Cybersafety
What Parents and Carers Need to Know to Reduce Risk
Generation Next have access to and are accessible by many millions of people worldwide. The historic benefit of being geographically isolated from the rest of the world may once have provided advantages for our safety, but in Cyberspace there are no boundaries. Members of Generation Next are often not aware that their words and/or photos which may have been intended for a small audience sometimes find their way to a larger one, often with unexpected and undesirable consequences. The issue of cyber bullying, and the exchange of inappropriate images, is emerging as the number one issue confronting the safety and wellbeing of young people and the wider community. The offences and offenders are diverse and the primary vulnerable population is young people.
Hey Mum, Meet My First Boyfriend!
What Parents Need to Know and Do
Teenage sexual activity is associated with significant risks, especially for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, social and economic disruption, and legal implications. Of the 15 million new cases of STDs that occur each year in Australia, 10 million occur in people aged 15 to 24! Each year, over 400,000 infants are born to teenagers; more than 146,000 are born to those 17 years of age or younger. In 2000, 18% of reported abortions in the Australia were performed on teenagers. Parents can help their children make intelligent decisions to about their sexual activity by talking to their children, giving accurate information and making them aware of the long-term risks and consequences of adolescent sexual activity.
Teenagers, Alcohol & Drugs
Many parents, like their children, access information on drugs from inappropriate sources such as the media and as a result there is a great deal of mythology around drugs and their use. This presentation will attempt to give accurate, up-to-date information on what we know about young people, alcohol and drugs in Australia. It aims to empower parents with some basic information about current trends in alcohol and other drugs to assist them to have meaningful conversations with their child when responding to queries that may be raised.
Panel
Panel composed of all Speakers.
The above program is an indication of topics and speakers only and is not the final schedule. Program was correct at time of printing and is subject to change without notice.
