A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
Eva Surawy Stepney, University of Sheffield Readers are advised that this article contains explicit discussion of suicide and suicidal and obsessional thoughts. If you are in need of support, contact details are included at the end of the article. At the age of 12, “out of nowhere”, Matt says he started having repetitive thoughts concerning [...]
Cher McGillivray, Bond University Problems with focus and impulse control can be common developmental stages through which children and adolescents naturally progress. But they can also be symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a chronic condition. ADHD is a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity (or both) that interferes with functioning or development, [...]
“Diagnostic delay” is a major concern for children and young people with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – and also for their loved ones. The “delay” is the gap between first concerns about a child’s development, and their eventual diagnosis. In some cases this can be more than five years. Monash PhD candidate [...]
Nigel Howard, Flinders University and Andrew Bills, Flinders University Earlier this month, the ABC reported an alarming national poll about school refusal. Of the 1,000 parents surveyed by the Greens-commissioned poll, 39% agreed or strongly agreed their child had experienced school refusal in the past year. School refusal is already on the radar for policymakers. [...]
Josh Ambrosy, Federation University Australia Each year in Victoria, thousands of students disengage from school between the start of Year 9 and the end of Year 12. Many are expelled or suspended. Others simply switch off in class, skip lessons, or quit school to seek out different educational and training pathways. Whatever the reason, many [...]
Deborah Pino Pasternak, University of Canberra Many of us remember vividly being yelled at or feeling threatened by a family member, a teacher, or a boss. Terrifying experiences often get imprinted in our memory; remembering frightening events is essential to avoid them in future. It is a normal reaction that promotes our survival. This strong [...]
Ben Bullock, Swinburne University of Technology This article is the next in The Conversation’s six-part series on insomnia, which charts the rise of insomnia during industrialisation to sleep apps today. Read other articles in the series here. The 2004 movie The Machinist gives us a striking depiction, albeit a fictional one, of the psychological effects [...]
Lauren Ball, The University of Queensland; Emily Burch, Southern Cross University, and Pui Ting Wong, The University of Queensland Painful periods are common. More than half of people who menstruate have some pain for up to three days a month, typically throbbing or cramping in the lower abdomen. Digestive changes – such as vomiting, gas, [...]
Emma Beckett, University of Newcastle Do you hate salad? It’s OK if you do, there are plenty of foods in the world, and lots of different ways to prepare them. But given almost all of us don’t eat enough vegetables, even though most of us (81%) know eating more vegetables is a simple way to [...]
Clare Dix, The University of Queensland and Stella Boyd-Ford, The University of Queensland Heading back to school is a time of great anticipation for many families, but it is not without challenges. One of the big challenges is preparing healthy, easy, affordable and appealing lunchboxes. Lunchboxes are vital for supporting children’s energy levels throughout the [...]
