A Grade 6 student at Muir Woods Academy in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Calvin Angelo Garcia, is advocating for schools to create a safe environment where students feel comfortable discussing mental health issues without fear of repercussions. He suggests that promoting open discussions and normalizing seeking help from teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators could be an effective approach to addressing mental health concerns among Filipino youth.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/03/13/campus-press/new-law-to-boost-mental-health-programs/2072111A new study published in PLoS ONE has validated music as a therapeutic intervention for mental health, with research conducted by NYU's Music & Auditory Research Lab at Spiritune, a leading therapeutic music app, highlighting the importance of evidence-based composition.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spiritunes-peer-reviewed-music-and-mental-health-study-published-in-plos-one-302400280.htmlTikTok has introduced a feature allowing parents to set time limits or establish time windows for their teenage children's use of the app, in response to growing concerns over excessive screen time and its impact on adolescents' mental health. The new feature is set to launch immediately in the European Union and will follow later in the United States.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/03/13/world/americas-emea/tiktok-to-add-screen-time-limits-for-teens/2071889Mental health therapists and veterans are facing challenges due to President Donald Trump's job cuts and anti-DEI policies within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Therapists like Lynn, who wishes to remain anonymous, express fear and anxiety about their jobs being eliminated, affecting their ability to focus on work. The VA has implemented a ban on symbols supporting transgender or queer rights, leading therapists to post "subversive" art in their offices to show solidarity with LGBTQ clients. Employees are also encouraged to report colleagues violating the new ban, creating a culture of fear and mistrust. Veterans seeking therapy for issues like PTSD and gender dysphoria are concerned about being targeted for discrimination due to Trump's anti-DEI order, which declares there are only two genders: male and female.
https://www.rawstory.com/doge-to-cut-veterans-benefits/A recent study by RAND and an AI ethics researcher Benjamin Boudreaux found that AI surveillance programs have "scant evidence" of either benefits or risks for youth suicide prevention. In Vancouver schools, at least six students were potentially outed after writing about their LGBTQ+ status on a Google survey form, highlighting the vulnerability of these students to online harassment and bullying. The use of such surveys raises concerns about confidentiality and the potential for false promises.
https://apnews.com/article/ai-school-chromebook-gaggle-goguardian-securly-25a3946727397951fd42324139aaf70fThe Andhra Pradesh government has allocated `33,878.45 crore for BC welfare this year, with a focus on empowering the community through initiatives such as mini-dairies and generic medical shops. Minister S Savitha announced plans to establish cooperative credit societies for various communities, including Arya Vaishya, Kshatriya, Kamma and Reddy communities, to enhance economic opportunities. Quality meals will be provided to students in welfare hostels using high-quality rice from next academic year, a move aimed at addressing the hardships imposed by the previous government, including increased electricity charges on BCs.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/ap-budget-allocates-3387845-crore-for-bc-welfare-1866168Advocates for women's rights in Australia are warning of an escalation of online abuse following a rise in misogynistic rhetoric on social media platforms like X, which spiked after the US election last year. Women's health specialists and legal experts say this trend will have a significant impact on Australian women, who are already feeling anxious about the erosion of their rights and freedoms. The normalization of such attitudes is expected to lead to an increase in emotional, psychological, and physical violence, with many women fearing for their mental wellbeing and the future of their daughters' rights.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/what-if-that-happens-here-the-australian-women-dreading-change-in-trump-s-america-20250306-p5lhhn.htmlDominic Lorrimer's research highlights the dire consequences of blanket policies on vulnerable populations, including severe economic hardship, families torn apart by inability to say goodbye to loved ones, and women trapped in violent households, leaving communities isolated due to inadequate consideration of local realities.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/covid19-pandemic-report-autsralia/c310c6a8-f980-4f79-9046-32a91e5b46ccArtificial intelligence (AI) is driving economic growth globally, with 61% of company CEOs expecting global economic growth this year. AI's impact extends beyond financial benefits, offering opportunities to scale businesses, measure ROI, shape stakeholder perception, and enhance workforce impact. PwC UK Asset & Wealth Management Leader Albertha Charles notes that investors are keen for companies to upskill their workforce (77%) over deploying AI at scale (72%). Despite optimism, investors remain cautious about macroeconomic volatility, geopolitical conflict, and cyber risks. They also prioritize investing in sustainable supply chains, with 74% looking to increase investment in companies working with suppliers and communities to build environmentally friendly supply chains.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/business-investors-are-positive-about-ais-impact-on-the-economy