A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
Associate Professor Vanessa Cropley, Dr Maria Di Biase and Rebecca Cooper For many kids, the period between childhood and early adolescence can be difficult. This transitional period is commonly known as ‘pre-adolescence’ and can be a vulnerable time for the development of mental health problems, like anxiety and depression. So many of our young adolescents [...]
Murooj Yousef, Griffith University; James Durl, Griffith University, and Timo Dietrich, Griffith University We work at Griffith University’s Blurred Minds initiative. The program uses games to educate Australian high school students about alcohol, drugs and vaping. As part of our research, schools frequently tell us they do not have the tools and strategies to deal [...]
Natalie Gately, Edith Cowan University and Shane Rogers, Edith Cowan University When children steal, naturally parents can be very concerned. They might wonder if they’ve taught their child correctly, whether it’s just a phase or whether they’re going to have a young offender on their hands. But before parents panic, they need to consider why [...]
Kelsey Chapman, Griffith University; Angel Dixon, Griffith University; Elizabeth Kendall, Griffith University, and Katie Kelly, Griffith University When the 2022 Australian of the Year was announced, Dylan Alcott wheeled onto the stage. Australian audiences are tuning in to watch TV shows featuring people with disability: You Can’t Ask That, Love on the Spectrum and [...]
Monica Dus, University of Michigan During the long seafaring voyages of the 15th and 16th centuries, a period known as the Age of Discovery, sailors reported experiencing visions of sublime foods and verdant fields. The discovery that these were nothing more than hallucinations after months at sea was agonizing. Some sailors wept in longing; others [...]
Gavin R. Slemp, The University of Melbourne; Dianne Vella-Brodrick, The University of Melbourne, and Jacqui Francis About three quarters of Australian teachers experience substantial stress in a typical work week, according to a 2021 survey. Another 2019 Australian study showed more than half suffer from anxiety, and about one in five meet the criteria [...]
Talking for Change is a government-funded national program that aims to prevent child sexual abuse. It provides an anonymous national helpline and treatment options for anyone concerned about their attraction to children. Ainslie Heasman, Ontario Tech University Every year, thousands of children are victims of sexual abuse in Canada. The impacts of abuse can be [...]
Divna Haslam, Queensland University of Technology; Alina Morawska, The University of Queensland, and James Graham Scott, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute When people think about child maltreatment, many think of physical or sexual abuse. But a key finding of our Australian Child Maltreatment Study, published last month, is that emotional abuse is widespread and associated [...]
Nigel Howard, Flinders University and Andrew Bills, Flinders University Today federal and state education ministers are meeting to talk about school attendance. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has repeatedly flagged this as a key concern. As he told Channel 7’s Sunrise last week: We’ve seen attendance at schools drop over the last ten years [...]
Sarah Hellewell, Curtin University It’s Friday night, your team is playing, and scores are nail-bitingly close. A player intercepts the ball, and bam! A player tackles his opponent to the ground. Trainers and doctors gather nervously while the commentators wait for confirmation: a concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, head knock, strike, tap, bump, blow … [...]
