A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
Delphine Raucher-Chéné, McGill University Human interactions are complex and come with their share of disappointments. This can be the case, for instance, when a loved one doesn’t react to our distress or joy the way we wish they had. Communication accidents happen! Psychiatry teaches us, however, that if these mishaps occur over and over with [...]
Ben Singh, University of South Australia and Grace McKeon, UNSW Sydney The mental health benefits of exercise for adults are well known, easing depression and reducing anxiety. Now, emerging research highlights its rising importance for children’s wellbeing. Staying active could be key to safeguarding and enhancing young people’s mental health. Mood-boosting benefits One in seven [...]
Jacob Crouse, University of Sydney; Emiliana Tonini, University of Sydney, and Ian Hickie, University of Sydney This is the next article in our ‘Light and health’ series, where we look at how light affects our physical and mental health in sometimes surprising ways. Read other articles in the series. It’s spring and you’ve probably noticed [...]
Natalie Day, University of Wollongong Throughout our lives, we need to be able to manage our thoughts and behaviour. We need to do this to reach various goals and to get along with others – even if other distractions and impulses get in the way. This is our ability to self-regulate, and it starts [...]
Adam Guastella, University of Sydney and Kelsie Boulton, University of Sydney Neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism affect about one in ten children. These conditions impact learning, behaviour and development. Executive function delays are core to challenges people with neurodevelopmental conditions experience. This includes skills such as paying attention, switching [...]
Nerelie Freeman, Senior Lecturer, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education Amid a sharp increase in autism and ADHD diagnoses, many schools aren’t equipped to support the diverse learning and social-emotional needs of their students. Neurodiverse girls, including autistic and ADHDer girls, are one group of young people feeling distinctly unsupported and [...]
Penny Van Bergen, University of Wollongong Everyone knows a kid who cheats at Monopoly or backyard cricket. Perhaps they have even cheated on a test at school. If your notice your own child is doing this, you may worry they are headed for a life of crime. But in developmental terms, cheating is not usually [...]
Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University and Gabrielle Hunt, Australian Catholic University An ABC report on Monday revealed a concerning rise in peer-on-peer sexual abuse within Australian primary schools. Data on Victorian schools shows hundreds of such incidents were reported in 2022 and 2023, with many involving children under the age of ten. The Australian [...]
Australia has a dreadful reputation as the world’s leading country for per capita gambling losses. Pokies, sports betting, racing, lotteries, casinos and all the other gambling products took A$32 billion in 2022-23. That’s an average of $1555 from every adult, and it’s growing every year. Increasingly, we’re aware of effects of these losses: Family breakdown [...]
Yeslam Al-Saggaf, Charles Sturt University and Julie Maclean, Charles Sturt University Most Australian teenagers have their own smartphone. According to a 2023 survey, 91% of young people between 14 and 17 owned a phone. At the same time, there is huge community concern about young people being exposed to harms online – this includes the [...]
