A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
Jamilla Rosdahl, Australian College of Applied Psychology A new trend taking over TikTok is targeting vulnerable young men. The “looksmaxxing” phenomenon – to maximise one’s looks – is aimed at young men and boys who want to change their appearance to become more attractive and gain social acceptance. Unhappy with their appearance, teenage boys and [...]
Join Andrew Fuller as he chats with guest Dr Karen Spielman on eating disorders in young people. Mental health and our relationship with food in a post-COVID era Raising the issue with someone you suspect has an eating disorder How to support someone who denies having the condition and is reluctant to accept help Managing [...]
Gemma Sharp, Monash University and Nichola Rumsey, University of the West of England Although we cannot be sure of the exact numbers of Australians undergoing cosmetic procedures, as there is no requirement for health professionals to report their statistics, there is a consensus demand is on the rise. In 2015, the Cosmetic Physicians College of [...]
Felicity Roux, Curtin University Health education frequently fails to teach the menstrual cycle in its full entirety, focusing mostly on the bleeding part of the story and glossing over the ovulation chapter. In other words, many girls* often only get half the story about how their bodies work. That’s a shame because knowledge of your [...]
Lady time. Aunty Flo. On the rag. Period. We’re not good at talking directly about menstruation. Hidden behind our embarrassment is a cultural stigma that results in gender inequality and causes real harm to women, girls and those who menstruate when they miss school, work and recreation activities. Today, on international Menstrual Hygiene Day, we [...]
Louise Moana Kolff, UNSW Two videos were removed this week from the Australian government’s recently released sexuality education resource for schools. The government released the Good Society resource in mid April, which consists of more than 350 materials including videos, digital stories and podcasts to teach respectful relationships in schools. The two videos that were [...]
Elizabeth Little, Deakin University Chanel Contos’ recent petition called for an overhaul of sexual education at schools and for consent to be taught earlier on, and better. Adequate, formal sexual education is important for young people, but discussions about consent can take place in many situations outside the sex education classroom and outside of school. [...]
Shelly Makleff, Monash University More than 30,000 people have signed a petition, launched by ex-Sydney school girl Chanel Contos, demanding for consent to be at the forefront of sexual education in schools. The text in the petition states: Those who have signed this petition have done so because they are sad and angry that they [...]
Researchers asked the question whether realistic dolls protect body satisfaction in young girls. The study published in the journal Body Image, measured the body perceptions and ideals of thirty-one girls aged 5 to 9 years before and after a playing in pairs with an ultra-thin doll, a realistic childlike doll or a car. Play with [...]
As a parent you will answer thousands of questions but the ones about relationships and sexuality are often the most challenging to answer. Some parents can be so worried about giving an absolutely perfect answer that they end up saying nothing at all. You and your family are the most important source of relationships and [...]
