Tag: children

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Opinion/Commentary

‘All abilities’ pool has closed

Crisp blue water of a swimming pool
image: WordPress Library

Earlier this month, residents of Port Fairy, Victoria, got an unwelcome announcement

According to the ABC, Moyne Shire Council declared that it was permanently closing Belfast Aquatics Community Pool.

Moyne Shire Council conducted an inspection and found mould and algae in the facility.

Residents said they were blindsided and disappointed. Jacqui King has three daughters, all who learnt to swim at the facility. One is a competitive swimmer. She told ABC:

Without the pool she would have never had that [to become a competitive swimmer] opportunity.

(‘Port Fairy residents demand answers after council abruptly closes only all-abilities pool’, ABC Coco Velcamp and Ted O’Connor, 12 December 2025)

King claimed that Belfast Aquatics had been crucial in teaching Port Fairy residents water safety. Port Fairy is a coastal community. Many life savers have done their training there.

Another resident, Peter O’Keeffe said Moyne Council hasn’t been upfront about the needed repairs:

The council has [mentioned] A$2million to repair the pool, but there is no detail on the repairs.

Over three hundred residents attended a community meeting to protest the shutdown.

Risks of indoor pools

According to The Pool and Laws, there are risks of having indoor pools that need to be minimised. Indoor pools have a higher risk of algae and mould growth. They require extensive chemical treatments.

Air quality can pose a hazard to those who use an indoor pool. Due to a lack of open air, indoor pool water can react to human contaminates (sweat, urine, etc) and cause irritation.

Moisture causes condensation. Overtime, this can damage the insulation, walls, ceilings, and its mechanical systems.

Indoor pools take a lot of work to maintain (a lot more than I initially thought, to be honest). But that does not mean Moyne Shire Council should have penalised the elderly, children and disabled by shutting it down!

Belfast Aquatics’ closing is a kick in the teeth for children, elderly and disabled people

Amputee standing von side of pool
Image: WordPress Library

I can say from personal experience that some pools can be awkward to get in and out of. Sometimes, I’ve found ladders to get out of pools daunting.

Fortunately, some public pools are becoming more accessible. The pool in the town I used to live in has a ramp. Pools often have steps that are easier to go in and out of the water.

Getting rid of ladders embedded in pool walls would be a great next step, (no pun intended). A ladder outside the wall is better. Maybe that’s just me.

My point is, public pools can and should be accessible to all, no matter age, or abilities.

It sounds like the Belfast Aquatic Community Pool was great for the Port Fairy community. The Moyne Council neglected it, let it get hazardous, and penalised the community.

Now, there is one less pool that children, disabled and elderly people can go to that isn’t awkward to get in and out of or learn about water safety. It’s one less space where all people can gather, socialise and improve their fitness.

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Opinion/Commentary

“Make – up for babies”, really? Let’s talk about ‘skincare’ for young children

Image: Canva

Early last year, news oulets, such as the BBC were reporting on the Sephora craze.

Many tween girls were flooding beauty stores, including Sephora, and buying their products. #sephora and #sephorakids were trending on TikTok and Instagram. However, many posts that included the hashtags featured creators also slamming the craze. Many creators accused the young shoppers of being rude to customers and staff.

Other creators exposed harsh ingredients, such as retinol, were found in products, such as Drunk Elephant.

Fast forward twelve months, advertisers of beauty products are targeting children even younger.

Make – up for toddlers?

Image: Canva

If you think beauty companies targeting tweens is ridiculous, you ain’t heard nothin’ yet! According to Angela Mollard, girls as young as three are being introduced to beauty. And no, it’s not harmless play.

The hobbyfication of skincare and make-up is no longer a ‘bit of fun’ and ‘not that deep’ as many are saying. It’s not the same as playing dress ups.

Not only are ‘beauty routines for toddlers unnecessary, but are potentially harmful.

…it’s physically, emotionally and financially harming children by peddling the insidious messages to (mainly) girls that they are not good enough as they are…

(“I don’t care if this sounds like judgement, because it is” Angela Mollard on makeup and babies”, Angela Mollard, Herald Sun, 23 November 2025)

Effects of introducing toddlers to beauty products

Mollard is right about the harnful effects of makeup on toddlers, including the physical ones.

According to Science Alert, a baby’s or toddler’s skin is still developing. It’s thinner and is absorbent. As a result, babies’ and toddlers’ skin is more likely to become irritated or have an allergic reaction.

When babies and toddlers are exposed to the irritants so young, it may lead to hormone disruption later in life.

Babies have seven layers of skin. However, the skin is so thin that chemicals can easily enter a baby’s bloodstream. Babies and toddlers also have less sebum, (which naturally moisturises skin). As a result, a baby or toddler’s skin can get dry and irritated when exposed to certain chemicals.

More harmful side effects of makeup on babies and toddlers

According to The Conversation:

  • Before the age of three, any exposure to makeup can affect their microbiome
  • Researchers have found that carcenogenics, such as formaldehyde, in bronzers and nail polish
  • Toluene is a harmful substance and is considered a work hazard substance in Australia. Safework Australia warns that it can be flammable and a toxic vapour
  • Many chemicals used in soaps, detergents and makeup can disrupt hormones, which may affect fertility
  • Products labelled “natural” aren’t free of risk. A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that, on average, each product studied contained 4.5 allergens

Children aren’t ’miniature adults’

I think Adam Taylor in The Conversation makes a really important point:

Babies and young children aren’t just miniature adults. Their skin is still developing and more vulnerable to irritation, chemical absorption and systemic effects…

(“Using cosmetics on babies and children could disrupt hormones and trigger allergies”,Adam Taylor, The Conversation, 26 July 2025)

Children should be able to play and explore the world safely. They should not be exposed to adults’ insecurities about appearance and the cosmetic companies that prey on it.

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Opinion/Commentary

Australian principals are fighting food insecurity among students. How did this get so bad in the first place?

Image: Prostock – Studio, iStock

How can this happen in Australia in 2024?

According to the ABC, 1.3 million Australian children live with food insecurity. Going to school hungry is detrimental to a child’s learning. Fortunately, one school is combatting this.

Alexandra Hills State School, Queensland teamed up with not – for – profit, Eat Up to provide students with a free lunch.

Principal, Scott Ward explained the program as:

[It’s] really a vehicle for the kids to know that we care and that our community cares about them, no matter what, whether they can afford food or they can’t.

(‘Children experiencing food insecurity can face challenges at school. Some groups and principals are changing that’. Stephanie Felsina, ABC News, 9 September 2024)

The school is incredibly humble and wants their students to ask for food without shame:

I think the most important thing for us is we don’t make a big deal of it, because we want our kids to know that they can come to a staff member without shame.

Food insecurity leads to absenteeism

Image: kuarmungadd, iStock

A few months ago, ABC’s Four Corners raised alarm about children being too anxious to go to school.

Living with food insecurity is a common reason for children not attending school.

In 2018, Foodbank revealed that one in three parents lived with food insecurity. When parents struggle with finances, essentials are sacrificed. It’s food vs rent. Or electricity bill vs school expenses.

Heartbreakingly, children who live in poverty face bullying when they do go to school. Parents also told Foodbank they realised mood and behavioural changes in their children due to hunger.

Conversely, founder of Eat Up, Lyndon Galea has seen an increase of attendance since partnering with Alexandra Hill School.

Schools also reached out to other charities, such as Y (formerly YMCA), to help provide food for students. Like Mr. Ward, Y aims to destigmatise children reaching out when in need.

Touching stories exposes national shame

Alexandra High Schol and charities should be commended for providing food to hungry children. However, it exposes a national shame.

The media in Australia is flooded with reports of the cost of living crisis. There have also been reports of major supermarkets, most infamously, Woolworths, being condemned for falsely advertising ‘specials’. Social media users exposed the supermarket giant for price gouging and exploiting the cost of living crisis.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has launched legal action against Woolworths and Coles, accusing them of raising prices and falsely promoting them as specials.

It’s disgusting how supermarket giants, power companies and, ultimately the Australian Government has created this situation. It’s disgusting that children don’t have the means to have their basic needs met. We’re not talking about a twelve – year – old wanting the latest PlayStation, PARENTS CAN’T AFFORD TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN! It’s such an outrage with plenty of blame to go around.

So, what can be done? Until the Government gets its act together, maybe you can support an Australian charity. The Smith Family directly helps children in poverty attend school.

Categories
Gender/ sexuality

Report says there’s ‘no evidence’ of people being rushed into gender treatment

Image: angelp, iStock

Is the truth coming out about gender – affirming care?

According to the ABC, Queensland Children’s Gender Services (QGCS) reported that no children were “coerced” or hurried into treatment.

In June, the clinic saw 547 children and adolescents. A further 491 were waiting to be treated.

Within six months, only a third of children and youth who accessed services received medical treatment including puberty blockers and hormones.

Psychiatrist, Dr Jillian Spencer from Queensland Children’s Hospital accused gender clinic of a lack of mental health screening. However, a panel of seven, headed by psychiatrist Dr John Allan dismissed her claims. They found the treatment of children safe and found:

…no evidence of children, adolescents or their families being hurried or coerced into making decisions about medical intervention.

(‘Independent Report into Queensland Children’s Gender Service Finds No Evidence Patients Were ‘Hurried’ Into Decisions’, Janelle Miles/ Rebecca Hyam, 19 July 2024)

In a – 104 – page report, the QGCS found that specialists were thorough in their assessments. They took their patients’ mental health, neurodiversity and current circumstances into account.

I find the last point interesting. In the mainstream and social media, doctors are often accused of ignoring diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Dosorder (ASD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in favour of gender dysphoria. That doesn’t seem to be the case (surprise, surprise).

Tavistock

Image: Marbury, iStock

In the UK, treatment for gender – diverse children has been in the spotlight. In March this year, Tavistock Centre closed after a number of complaints and lawsuits. Whistleblowers (often former employees) have also accused Tavistock of unethical behaviour.

People raised questions of the alleged explosion in gender – affirming treatment of minors in recent years. Allegedly, there was no real evidence that the treatments were working, as there was no follow up or after care.

I say ‘allegedly’ because I’m sceptical of the accusations.

In the aftermath, UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has cracked down on gender affirming care for minors.

The Cass Report

The Cass Report was behind much of NHS’s updated recommendations on restricting gender affirming care for under 25s. However, the report has faced a number of criticisms.

According to Advocate, the report, composed by Dr Hillary Cass, is flawed. It allegedly dismissed more than 100 studies highlighting the benefits of gender – affirming care.

The report falsely claimed that gender dysphoria “may be caused by anxiety, depression and OCD”. This is refuted by the American Psychological Association.

The Cass Report enforces the idea that gender dysphoria is a ‘social contagion. This theory has been debunked.

Additionally, the Cass Report has been allegedly tied to anti – trans organisations. When conducting the study, Dr Cass met with Patrick Hunter. Hunter is a member of Catholic Medical Association. This anti – LGBTQ+ organisation has been behind Governor Ron DeSantis’ policies.

Finally, director of UK’s The Good Law Project, Jo Maugham accused the NHS and Dr Cass suppressing evidence that shows a major increase of young people taking their lives while waiting for gender – affirming care.

According to a whistleblower and former Tavistock employee, one person took their own life between 2013 to 2020. However, since the Bell vs Tavistock ruling, there has been sixteen deaths.

I’m starting to believe that the gender – affirming care debate is another culture war. It seems that concerns over children transitioning is based on ideology rather evidence. And, tragically, trans and gender – diverse children are the ultimate victims of it.

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Opinion/Commentary Uncategorized

Does Finland hold the answers for Australia’s early childhood education and care crisis?

Getty Images: iStock

Australia has an early childhood education and care crisis. Actually, there’s a number of crises.

Most parents and caregivers can’t afford not to work. Ironically, early childhood education can be so expensive, it makes working seem pointless.

There’s more.

Many Australian parents are finding it almost impossible to find spots for their children without waiting for a significant period of time.

Emma Douglas from Broome, Western Australia, told ABC’s 7.30:

[I’d] be posting on the Broome babysitting Facebook pages begging, begging, for a babysitter that could fit in with the days that I needed.

Douglas eventually gave up her job due to lack of available childcare. Fortunately after being in Broome for two years, Douglas was able to find a childcare place.

She said the childcare system: “doesn’t feel fair”.

Finland’s childcare system

Image: digograndi, iStock

Unlike Australia’s private childcare system, Finland’s childcare centres are run by local government. It’s also considered a right.

Professor of education at the University of Jyaskyla, Heidi Harji – Luukkainen explained:

So, in Finland, we have a subjective right for children to get early childhood education, which means that the parents are guaranteed placement for the child in early childhood education whenever there is a need.

Additionally, childcare fees aren’t blanket amounts. They’re dependent on a family’s income. Fees can range from A$50 to A$500 a month. In Australia, the system is a bit more complex.

Austalian governments have introduced childcare subsidies. In mid – to – late 2020, the Liberal National Party (LNP), ended JobKeeper for early childhood educators and rolled back free childcare for working families.

Lack of access

Another issue that Australian parents face is finding an early childhood education centre nearby.

Many parents, especially in Australia’s capital cities have to travel almost half an hour to take their child/ren to childcare. This creates stress on both the parents and children. They often have to leave home early in the morning and get home in the evening. Talk about a busy day!

In contrast, Finland has numerous early childhood education centres that are near enough for families.

The history of Finland’s early childhood education system

According to Jacobin, Finland’s successful early childhood education system didn’t happen overnight.

The first kindergarten was established in the capital, Helsinki in 1888. This was established for working -class families. Four years later, education for early childhood teachers began. Since 1995, most Finnish early childhood educators hold a degree. In Australia, the minimum qualification to work in early childhood education is Certificate III.

In 1919, Finnish municipalities were granted the right to establish early childhood education centres. Only a few took the offer. However, after World War Two, early childhood education was formalised.

In 1973, Finland’s government introduced the Child Daycare Act. This made childcare a right for Finnish children. This came about because childcare was only accessible to families who could afford or access it geographically (sound familiar?)

So, yes, Australia can learn from Finland. It’s all about priorities. Early childhood education needs to be considered a right to all children, not just a privilege for some.

What do you think? Should Australia try to adopt Finland’s esrly childhood education system? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Opinion/Commentary

Family vlogger, Ruby Franke has been refused bail after child abuse charges. Who didn’t see this coming?

YouTube influencer, Ruby Franke and therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt gave ‘advice’ and ‘Truth’ and not ‘living in distortion’. Now, both have been charged of aggravated child abuse.

TW: severe child abuse. If this is triggering for you, please proceed with caution or skip this post entirely.

Family vlogger Ruby Franke and controversial therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt has been charged with child abuse.

The pair are behind life coach service, ConneXions, which is based in Utah.

On the 31 August, Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested at Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins.

Hildebrandt and Franke were charged with aggravated child abuse.

According to Title 76 of Utah’s Criminal Code, aggravated child abuse is committed when:

a. inflicts upon a child serious injury; or

b. having the care or custody of such child, causes or permits another to inflict serious injury upon a child.

Franke and Hildebrandt are being accused of starvation and torture.

Franke makes disturbing accusations

Have Franke or Hildebrandt expressed any remorse? Of course not!

In fact, Franke had the gall to accuse one of her children of abuse.

According to the New York Post, Franke accused one of her child of molesting siblings and accessing pornography… at three years old.

Let that sink in.

I’m not saying what she’s saying is true. However, if it was true, that’s a failure of adults around that child. That child was not protected. At worst, the child could have been abused. If it’s true, the child is still a victim.

(Surprise, surprise, Franke didn’t provide evidence for these claims).

Franke’s now ex – husband, Kevin has denied taking part in any abuse. However, he has defended Ruby’s troubling parenting style.

Did Jodi Hildebrandt radicalise Franke?

Some people have accused Hildebrandt of radicalising Franke through ConneXions. Commentators claim Hildebrandt is a cult leader.

However, anyone familiar with 8 Passengers YouTube channel could see that Franke was already sadistic.

Frankie’s abusive behaviour there for all to see

Like other commentators, I’ve decided not to list examples of Franke’s reprehensible behaviour on 8 Passengers.

Let’s just say that Franke’s past behaviour showed that she was cruel to her children; physically and emotionally. One could say that something like these horrible (alleged) crimes were somewhat predictable.

I don’t think Hildebrandt manipulated Franke to abuse her children. At least not without Franke’s permission.

I’m not saying that Hildebrandt is innocent. She is a reprehensible therapist and person. Her niece, Jessi (they/ them) has spoken about Hildebrandt’s troubling past behaviour.

In past videos, she has openly blamed survivors of abuse of ‘playing the victim’.

Hildebrandt has allegedly made unethical choices as a therapist, including breaching client confidentiality by exposing a client’s ‘pornography addiction’ to LDS bishops. Despite being temporarily suspended, as far as I know, Hildebrandt is still a licensed therapist in Utah.

Update: According to Yahoo News, two of Franke’s sisters have spoken out.

Hoellein addressed (capitalised on), Franke’s arrest on her channel. Unfortunately, the videos are self – focused, rather than seeking justice and healing for the children.

This exposes the darkest side of family vlogging and extreme parenting. I hope the children get the help they deserve.

If you’re in Australia and have found this distressing, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 or your national emergency number.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Controversial guidelines suggest medicating children under six for ADHD

Image: timnewman, iStock

New treatment recommendations for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is causing an uproar.

The 2012 Current Clinical Practice advises against using medication as a first resort for very young children.

The guidelines read:

Psychological, environmental and family interventions should, if possible, be trialled and evaluated before starting any medication treatment. If all of these other interventions have not been effective then stimulants might be considered.

Currently, the Therepeutic Goods Administration (TGA) does not recommend ADHD medication for children under six.

However, this could change. There is a push for medication to be the first port of call rather than last resort.

Financial interests

The Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) admitted on their website that members have financial interests in ADHD medications.

However, Professor and AADPA President, Mark Bellgrove insisted:

…we’re entirely confident that we have taken the necessary steps to minimise any impact of conflicts.

Professor Bellgrove claimed that all researchers were:

…exonerated and cleared of any misconduct regarding their declarations about links to pharma.

Professor Bellgrove may be right. All members of the AADPA may have followed all their laws and guidelines. But the question of whether children under six should be given ADHD medication still remains.

The heartbreaking effects of ADHD

ADHD can be a devastating condition for the sufferer and people closest to them. According to WebMD, untreated ADHD can have a wide range of effects in both children and adults. These can include:

  • Impulsivity can make school and work harder
  • Children may not be able to retain information and fall behind in class
  • Difficulty relating to others; may have issues with sharing, taking turns and reacting appropriately in certain situations
  • Difficulty making friends (and dating in adolescence)
  • May suffer low self – esteem
  • impulsivity may result in frequent injuries
  • Conflicts with parents
  • Risky behaviours such as: alcohol and drug abuse, smoking and risky sexual activity
  • Eating disorders (especially in girls)
  • Depression
  • Being involved in car accidents
  • Work issues such as: being on time and trouble completing tasks

ADHD is no joke. It’s clear that it needs to be taken seriously.

My take: ADHD should be treated. But get financial interests out of it

Let me say from the outset: ADHD is real. I don’t doubt that it is debilitating for many sufferers. However, the push from AADPA reinforces ideas that many critics of ADHD already have.

Psychiatry has been bastardised by the pharmaceutical industry. Real illnesses, like ADHD and depression are often given Band – Aid solutions, rather than lasting change.

It’s easy to see why.

In 2019- 2020, the Australian Government subsidised A$566million for mental health prescriptions. Under Medicare, Australians still pay a small amount for medication (approximately A$8 to A$60). So pharmaceutical companies are making bank.

I have not been able to find the amount the Australian Government or consumers spend on medications like Ritalin alone. That’s suss.

I’m not saying medication is never the answer for mental illnesses. But the pharmaceutical industry need to forget their financial interests and focus on helping people who are genuinely suffering. And offer real, long lasting solutions.

Do you think children under the age of six should be prescribed ADHD medications? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Australian MP pushes for loot box restrictions

Two children under bed covers playing video games
Image: iStock

Australian Independent MP, Andrew Wilkie is pushimg for restrictions on video games that feature loot boxes.

According to Herald Sun, Wilkie condemned loot boxes as “barely disguised gambling”.

 

What are loot boxes?

According to Parent Zone, loot boxes are “virtual treasure chests”. They allow players to change weapns or characters.

Due to the rise of online gaming, the dynamic of gaming has changed. Buying a computer game is no longer a one – time purchase. Computer games, (including iPads, phones, etc) often require players to buy a subscription, rewards or coins to advance in the game. This is why loot boxes are concerning.

 

Gambling and the role of parents and caregivers

Children gambling is a growing concern. Earlier this year, Sydney Morning Herald reported 40 per cent of NSW children aged 12 – 17 were playing games with features that emulate gambling. 

Games featuring loot boxes, coins and rewards proved concerning. 3.7% of children studied were considered problem gamblers or at high risk.

There are a number of risk factors to this worrying trend. Parents who gamble are a risk factor. 58 per cent of children who gambled also had parents who gamble. 20 per cent had grandparents who did.

This makes sense. Addiction often has a genetic component. Also, parental modelling is important. Children often pick up habits and stressors from their families. This is why I think the issue deserves a holistic approach.

 

Problem gambling and mental health

Problem gambling is mental illness. Fourth Edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM IV) listed problem gambling as an impulse control disorder.

Additionally, problem gambling often co – occurs with other mental conditions.

According to the Department of Health and Aging, problem gambling has similarities to substance use disorder. People with pre – existing mood disorders, especially depression, are at higher risk for problem gambling.

Chronic isolation can also make problem gambling worse. Due to COVID and restrictions, it wouldn’t be surprising if addictions were exacerbated, including among children and teens.

Politicians need to take mental health seriously if they want to attack this issue. They should seriously consider making all psychotherapies free under Medicare. They also need to ensure there are adequate services.

Additionally, there needs to be adequate guidance counsellors and social workers need to be in schools. 

 

Mother supports Wilkie’s proposal

Faye James, mother of son Pablo, eight, supports the bill.

This kind of bill is fundamental. We need to make parents aware of what they’re getting their kids into. Restrictions and transparency is key.

I don’t disagree that restrictions should be in place. Children should not have free access to gambling – style games.

However, I can’t help but think this is a Band – Aid solution. Focus on mental health and access to appropriate services. Make sure that children get the support they need. And, maybe we’ll see the problem decrease. 

If you are in Australia and you or someone you know is struggling mentally, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 (they also have a web chat)

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (for people under 25 or their parents or caregivers)

As always, for those outside Australia, feel free to offer any contact information to mental health services below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Opinion/Commentary Uncategorized

Australian children face a mental health crisis

Mental health image of brain
Image: iStock

According to Natasha Bita in the Herald Sun, Australian children and teenagers are facing a mental health crisis. (Mental Health 360: Shocking rise in Aussie teens being medicated, 2 December 2020).

1 in 13 teens are taking antidepressants and/or other psychiatric drugs.

Health and youth experts claim COVID-19 is a factor to this worrying trend. 87,781 primary school – aged children and 134,439 teenagers were prescribed medications for various mental disorders over 2018/2019.

What diagnoses children are receiving?

Not surprisingly, anxiety and depression are major issues facing a number of children. What’s worrying is that primary school and preschool – aged children are also being diagnosed.

Yourtown chief executive, Tracey Adams told Herald Sun that domestic violence is exacerbating these rates.

Children are also being diagnosed with other conditions, including ADD/ ADHD, psychosis and conduct disorder.

The increase in conduct disorder diagnoses has surprised and alarmed me. How can more children be diagnosed? Is it over diagnosis; an accusation commonly aimed at ADD/ADHD?

Or is it something else? As I wrote before, alarms surrounding domestic violence have been raised. According to Better Health Channel, parental aggression (particularly from the father) and domestic violence are risk factors that can trigger the disorder.

Government response

To be honest, I think that the Federal and State governments have failed in this area. It’s too little, too late.

Only now has the Government offered Kids Helpline extra funding for fifty more counsellors. Why wasn’t enough support put in before the pandemic hit?

I think this exposes the great flaws in the Australian mental health system as a whole. There isn’t enough support for those who need it, but haven’t reached breaking point.

Parents play vital role

Psychologist and founder of Parentshop, Michael Hawton told Herald Sun that most anxiety in children is “learned”.

If kids are surrounded by parents who are highly rushed and speaking and behaving anxiously, it’s hard for them to not pick up on that.

He also suggested that parents teach children about facing problems head on rather than avoiding them. Emotional reactivity should also be minimised.

Blaming social media and anxious parents doesn’t solve the problem

Many commenters on the Herald Sun article have blamed social media (surprised?). But to me, the issue is much bigger.

There are obviously children and teenagers that need ongoing help. Some may need different therapies, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). There may be children that need to be removed from violent or abusive homes. Victims of bullies need support to have their self – esteem built back up.

Psychologists and/ or Masters qualified Social Workers need to be employed in all schools.

Also, I really do think the Australian mental health system needs an overhaul. Medicare is grossly inadequate in funding mental health.

The Australian mental health system seems to help two types of people: those who don’t need ongoing professional help. Or, the other extreme: those who are at high risk of harm or suicide.

Both State and Federal Governments have failed in dealing with psychological costs of lockdown and COVID-19. Counselling services should have been properly funded in the first place. It isn’t good enough.

Lastly, all mental health costs should be covered by the Government. If not through Medicare, through other means.

 

What are you thoughts? How can people with mental or behavioural conditions be helped?

 

 

 

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Maybe the changes needed in the Catholic Church start with parishioners

 

Catholic priest at Mass praying
Image: iStock

CW: sexual abuse

I have been outraged by the latest allegations of reaction from Catholic in light of clergy sexual abuse that came out of Pennsylvania. I have been outraged of the repeated deflection from certain clergy and members of Catholic hierarchy: blaming gay people, secular culture and birth control for the horrific sex crimes that have been happening for decades.

This has made me think that the church still doesn’t get it and that the abuse will still happen, even if it has stopped currently. Frankly, there must be something toxic in the Catholic Church culture to allow such horror to flourish decade after decade. I fear that these issues aren’t being dealt with adequately. Too many clergy and archbishops are too resitant to change, even if it may be beneficial in preventing abuse in the future.

However, it heartened me to read on Patheos this week that some practicing Catholics are starting to bite back. They are demanding change from clergy. One has even slammed the (false) link that has been made between gay men and the rape of pubescent and pre – pubescent children.

This shows to me that, if the Catholic Church will ever change, it won’t be because of clergy. It’ll be because of the demands from parishioners.

It’s parents who take their children to a Catholic parish church who need to demand that their children be treated with respect. They need to be able to place healthy boundaries around their children and clergy and enforce them if need be.

Catholic parents should feel free to defy the Catholic Church and allow their children to learn about healthy sexuality and bodily autonomy. This means giving children correct sex education, the confidence to say ‘no’ to unawanted touch and the ability to speak out if they feel unsafe.

Catholic parents should model respect for people regardless of gender, including their spouses or partners. Young boys should be taught to treat girls with respect and avoid gender superiority. This has been exposed as another issue that has exacerbated the rate of sexual abuse in both the Catholic and Evangelical Church.

Progressive Catholics should stand up against homophobia in the Church. No, LGBTQ+ don’t cause children to be raped. This (false) correlation toward the LGBTQ+ community and sexual abuse can actually prevent male sex abuse survivors from getting help because of the stigma. All churches need to stop this and stop it now. I fear that it doesn’t, Christianity — both Catholicism and Protestantism — will continue to be tarred with the brush of sexual abuse. Plus, it plays right into a predator’s playbook. Why would a victim of sexual abuse speak out if they fear (or know) that they will be shunned because of false beliefs that he and others have about sexuality? So, please, don’t allow your children to grow up with this mentality. If it’s rampant in your congregation, challenge it. I really do feel that your child’s safety may depend on it.

Lastly, I think I need to keep emphasising this. Don’t allow priests or other members of the clergy to impose and use their ‘authority’ without condition. Set boundaries that you and your family are comfortable with. If your boundaries aren’t respected, maybe you need to find another church or another means of worship (i.e. home bible study, etc). You and your family should be your main concern and no one has the right to bully you into thinking otherwise. It’s time Christians (Catholics and Protestants), start fighting back against predators and spiritual abusers in the church. Enough is enough.

If anyone found this post distressing, you can contact Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Bravehearts 1800 272 831 (Monday – Friday 8.30 am – 4.30 pm Eastern Standard Time)

 

Since this is a global problem, like always, feel free to drop any links or contact details of sexual abuse counselling, psychological help, etc from services in your country. Thank you very much.