A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
A recent review commissioned by the Home Secretary and published in the UK by Dr Linda Papadopoulos, “Sexualisation of Young People” has put the spotlight on the sexualisation of children and teenagers within our society. It has brought to light growing trends that are both alarming and insidious. The continued de-sensitisation to the sexualisation of [...]
Teenagers who use cannabis in their early teens are more likely to experience hallucinations or delusions. This is the findings of a new study conducted by John McGrath, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P., of the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), University of Queensland, Australia. Due to be published in May in the Archives of General Psychiatry, a medical [...]
The term ‘cutting’ refers to the widespread practice of cutting yourself with a sharp object with the purpose of injuring and scaring the skin. Although it is not much talked about in the media, this form of self harm has a growing following within the teenage population, especially girls. It is also alarming that tweens are beginning [...]
It is crucial that adolescents receive the required nutrients while growing and developing. However it is also just as important to take action if a teenager is above a normal healthy weight. It is sometimes difficult to find a balance when there is so much in the media about diets and body image; when all [...]
Violence in the school yard is becoming more prolific with the incidents becoming more serious and increasingly involving weapons of some kind. New figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showed an 8% increase in assaults occurring at schools during 2009, compared to 2008. During 2009 134 of the general assaults occurring [...]
Year 5 and 6 students will shortly be able to attend classes on ‘ethical discussions’ that are being introduced on a trial basis in ten NSW government schools across Sydney. These schools include Haberfield, Darlinghurst, Crown Street, Leichhardt and Hurstville. In April students at these schools who do not currently attend scripture lessons can participate [...]
There are growing concerns over a new drug on the streets commonly known as “Meow” that is becoming very popular on the clubbing scene. The fear is that many teenagers new to night clubs and drugs might underestimate the strength and harmful effects this drug can hand out. The greatest danger lies in its addictive nature [...]
Sleazy lifestyle games website for tweens. A new website was launched in the UK shortly before Christmas aimed at the 'tweens' called My Minx and already it has attracted over 20,000 members, some as young as seven years old. Originally billed as ''Barbie meets Chanel'' the games' creators also made Miss Bimbo, which has over two million members [...]
The tragic circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing of 12-year-old school boy Elliott Fletcher during a school yard fracas at St Patrick’s College at Shorncliffe Brisbane on Monday 15 February has sent shock waves around the country. It has prompted new calls for more security at the school gate and the introduction of metal detectors. However [...]
The Facts about cereal nutrition and food marketing to children. Published in "Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine", November 15 2009 Cereal companies worldwide speak to children early through everything from TV advertising and product placement on their favourite foods and clothing to the DVD's they watch and the games they play. Their campaigns are aggressive, direct and most [...]
