A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
Social interaction can be risky during a pandemic, but it’s also important for young people’s development and mental health. Tammy Chang, University of Michigan and Matthew Dunn, University of Michigan America’s teens and young adults have a crucial role in containing the spread of COVID-19, but a series of youth surveys suggests that many misunderstand [...]
Stephen Carbone, University of Melbourne Despite the incremental easing of Victoria’s restrictions, it’s clear the journey towards COVID-normal is far slower than many people had hoped. Australians – particularly Victorians – have shown remarkable resilience, but many are suffering emotionally. The mental health impacts of COVID-19 During the early days of the pandemic, surveys showed [...]
Phillip Baker, Deakin University; Mark Lawrence, Deakin University, and Priscila Machado, Deakin University Humans (and our ancestors) have been processing food for at least 1.8 million years. Roasting, drying, grinding and other techniques made food more nutritious, durable and tasty. This helped our ancestors to colonise diverse habitats, and then develop settlements and civilisations. Many [...]
Erin Leif, Monash University; Christine Grové, Monash University; Laura Alfrey, Monash University; Stella Laletas, Monash University, and Umesh Sharma, Monash University The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a rapid shift to online learning at all Australian universities. This presents unique opportunities for both educators and students, but also new challenges. Recent media reports suggest online learning [...]
Jane Mavoa, University of Melbourne and Marcus Carter, University of Sydney Play is a core part of a healthy childhood, through which children develop social, communication, cognitive and physical skills. Children’s play adapts to its circumstances. Recently children have been incorporating pandemic related themes into their play, such as coronavirus tag, where the point is [...]
Pasi Sahlberg, UNSW and Sharon Goldfeld, Murdoch Children's Research Institute Many parents are worried the disruptions of COVID lockdowns and school closures may affect their children’s mental health and development. In the Royal Children’s Hospital’s National Child Health Poll in June 2020, more than one-third of parents reported the pandemic has had negative consequences on [...]
Philippa Collin, Western Sydney University; Melissa Kang, University of Technology Sydney, and Rachel Skinner, University of Sydney The World Health Organisation recently warned that people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, who may be unaware they’re infected, are driving the spread of COVID-19. Australian data confirms coronavirus is more common in younger adults. People aged [...]
Lindsay Bottoms, University of Hertfordshire While many of us may remember skipping as something we did as children, the pastime has regained popularity during the pandemic as a way of keeping fit. Not only is jumping rope a fun, affordable and portable form of exercise, it also has many benefits for our health and fitness. [...]
Monica Barratt, RMIT University; Adam Winstock, UCL, and Jason Ferris, The University of Queensland Lockdown and other public health measures to halt the spread of COVID-19 haven’t driven us all to drink (and other drugs), as many news stories would have us believe. Our Global Drug Survey released today, which includes replies from more than [...]
Emily Berger, Monash University and Karen Martin, University of Western Australia Mental health issues among children are on the rise due to the impacts of the COVID pandemic, including lockdowns. Recent reports show there has been a 28% spike in calls to the phone counselling service Kids Helpline between March and July 2020 compared with [...]
