A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
When kids pretend they're pirates or secret agents, or create their own characters using dolls or Lego figures, it seems like they're playing simple games - literally engaging in child's play. But what's going on when kids use their imaginations and pretend when they play is actually very complex, and very good for kids' development. [...]
Exposure to traumatic experiences in childhood can have a negative impact on the development of the brain when it’s most vulnerable. Cases of childhood maltreatment are more common than reported; conservative estimates show over 45,000 Australian children were exposed to maltreatment in 2015 and 2016. Adversity in childhood can include experiences such as emotional, physical, and sexual [...]
Children's mental health in Britain is seeing a steady decline, with the latest statistics showing that over half of mental health problems start by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 18. In the news out today, Childline even revealed it has carried out its highest number of counselling sessions with young people having suicidal [...]
Why do children get sick so often? Bacteria and viruses are two distinct causes for infections in children. Often a child will get a viral cold and then later on develop a secondary infection with bacteria which then turns into a condition such as a chest infection. It seems bacteria tend to infiltrate a body [...]
Children as young as six are watching internet porn, with one group linking the behaviour to sexual assaults in schools. Centre Against Sexual Violence counsellor Kate McCormick said there appeared to be "a lot of sexual assault" occurring within the school environment. "This has been linked back to early exposure to pornography," she said. "From [...]
When you are feeling sick but have no idea how to explain it in words, sometimes an emoji is all you need to get the message across. And that's the tool patients at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick are using to communicate to nurses and other medical staff every day. In August the hospital [...]
Lego isn’t just a plastic brick loved the world over. It’s also a tool which can be used therapeutically as children, teachers and experts are discovering in Gloucestershire. Education experts in Gloucestershire are using construction toys such as Lego to help children express their emotions and improve their mental health. With data showing that children [...]
Without a doubt, this time of year is all about winning. Thanks to the last few weeks of finals fever, the media has been full of tales about underdogs triumphing and boys from the wrong side of the tracksmaking good because of the saving grace of sport. The football grand finals are one thing, but should we be concerned [...]
Ignoring your Whatsapp messages and six other red flag signs YOUR child could be depressed (and what to do about it) Around 800,000 five to 17-year-olds suffer mental health disorders in the UK, according to a recent report. IT'S easy to shrug off and blame on "those difficult teenage years". But, if your kid goes [...]
In a WA-first, virtual reality goggles are helping children feel less anxious when they have blood tests and other painful procedures. The technology is being used as a pilot program at St John of God Health Care hospitals and takes children on an underwater adventure to distract them. St John of God Health Care group [...]
