A photo of Jennifer Leonforte and Gabby Bennett, two friends who have struggled with mental illness, shows the devastating impact of self-loathing on their lives. The friends' struggles with depression are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many young people in Australia. In related news, the EU has reiterated its support for Ukraine as Australia joins high-level London talks on the war. Meanwhile, US tech giants have lobbied Trump to tackle Australian social media rules, while Woolies and Coles have been found to have a limited incentive to compete hard on price.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2025-03-21/self-hatred-explained-treatment-origins-mental-health/105014806A Netflix series, Adolescence, has sparked controversy over its portrayal of a 13-year-old boy who becomes embroiled in online misogyny and eventually murders a schoolgirl. The show's creator, Stephen Graham, is also the father of one of the main characters, Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper. The series has gained significant attention, with 24.3 million views in its first four days, and has been praised for highlighting the dangers of social media on children. Campaigners like Laura Bates have long warned about the risks of online exposure to young people, while a recent court case highlighted the horrific crimes committed by a teenager who spent hours researching violent acts online before killing his mother and siblings.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14519865/Bryony-Gordon-daughter-tech-algorithms-Netflix-Adolescence.htmlA school-based mental health program is having a positive impact on students' attendance and well-being. The Mental Health Continuum, launched in previous years but initially left out of the mayor's budget, has seen improvements in student attendance and grades after receiving regular weekly therapy sessions. Principal Ellen Flanagan of South Bronx Preparatory: A College Board School reports that one student was able to attend therapy sessions at school without disrupting her family income, while another student who struggled with panic attacks saw improved attendance and grades after participating in the program.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/03/20/eric-adams-mental-health-continuum-school-based-clinics-funding-budget-cut/TikTok's new AI filter has been criticized by Danni Rowlands, head of prevention at the Butterfly Foundation, for promoting unrealistic body ideals and potentially harming users' mental health. The filter encourages users to generate images of themselves as a "chubby" version, which Rowlands believes reinforces the notion that skinny is preferred over larger body types, leading to negative consequences for those who don't fit the sample size.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/tiktok-says-this-ai-filter-is-hilarious-not-everyone-is-laughing-20250319-p5lkua.htmlThe suicide rate in Australia has been increasing over the past decade, with over 3,000 Australians taking their lives every year. If you suspect a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14. Signs of emotional distress include restlessness, emotional outbursts, withdrawing from social connections, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns. These behaviors can be subtle, but increased use of alcohol or drugs, ignoring messages, and talking about not wanting to be around anymore are warning signs that require immediate attention.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/real-life/article-14509617/Losing-father-suicide-13-letters-revealed-truth.htmlA Sydney Morning Herald article suggests that a workplace is not providing adequate support for employees' mental health, as evidenced by the request from an employee's boss to tidy their immaculate desk, implying that the employee may be experiencing anxiety or stress related to work demands.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/why-does-my-boss-keep-asking-me-to-tidy-my-immaculate-desk-20250319-p5lkux.htmlOutdoor play is crucial for children's physical, social, creative, and emotional development, according to experts Shabbar Naqvi, Anmol Fatima, and Parsa Batool. Without access to these opportunities, children may experience psychological issues and social isolation, which can have lasting impacts on their personality and mental health.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1293459-games-important-for-children-s-healthPaul English, co-founder of Kayak, a travel search engine sold for $2.1 billion in 2013, has spoken about how his bipolar disorder affected his career. Diagnosed with the illness at 25, he initially hid it from others due to fear of being perceived as "crazy." However, by the time he started Kayak, he had become more open about his struggles. This vulnerability helped create a team culture where employees felt comfortable sharing their own challenges. English prioritized building a great team and hired talented individuals who shared similar values. He also focused on customer satisfaction, taking personal calls to ensure prompt responses from engineers, which led to high customer satisfaction rates.
https://www.insider.com/kayak-founder-paul-english-bipolar-illness-leadership-2025-3Montefiore Health System is expanding its local care options with a focus on providing robust support to patients in need, particularly in the South Bronx. The system has received funding from the New York State Office of Mental Health to establish a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program and an Adult Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program. Additionally, a new Child Outpatient Mental Health Clinic will be added, further enhancing Montefiore's network and services for the community.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/montefiore-announces-new-mental-health-programs-filling-critical-care-gaps-for-those-who-need-it-most-302406438.html