Latest news with #ReachOut
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Smarter, stronger, ready: what you need for HSC success
Once the exams are behind you, the world opens. University, TAFE, apprenticeships, jobs, travel, volunteering – there are many paths to fulfilment and purpose. Back yourself. Be curious and be open to what comes next. You've already achieved something remarkable by getting here. As you take these final steps toward the end of school and the beginning of whatever's next, I wish you courage and every success. Smarter, Stronger, Ready: Your 2025 HSC Study Guide You've put in the hard work and now it's time to bring it all together. The 2025 HSC is your moment to show what you've learned, how far you've come and what you're capable of. We're here to help you shine. NESA and The Sydney Morning Herald worked together on this guide, now in its 50th year, and packed with more useful support, resources and tips than ever before. You'll find practical advice from recent graduates, guidance from expert markers, and stories from familiar faces who know what it's like to tackle the final year of school. Explore our new video content and extra resources to make study more flexible, focused and even a little fun. Whether you're reviewing content, testing yourself, or just needing some inspiration for next steps, there's something here for you. See how your parents or siblings would fare in the HSC exams, by joining them on one of the biggest and best multiple choice HSC quizzes! ReachOut, our wellbeing partner, is back with trusted resources to help you manage stress, stay motivated and look after your mental health, while our colleagues at the University Admissions Centre have worked with us to dispel some persistent ATAR and HSC myths. The HSC is more than just a set of exams – it marks the conclusion to 13 years of schooling and recognises your commitment, your effort and your growth. Take what you need from this guide and be proud of how far you've come – we believe in you and we're with you all the way. Paul Martin, CEO, NSW Education Standards Authority Five simple tips to feel your best in year 12 ReachOut offers some advice on taking a proactive approach to your mental health in year 12 and beyond. Look after the basics: Simple things like moving your body, eating healthy snacks and getting regular sleep will help to keep your mood up. When you take care of these things, life tends to flow more smoothly. Break down the workload: Break your goals into small, achievable steps. This is less daunting and it can be fun to track your progress and celebrate each one as you finish. Understand your pressure points: Identify your main stressors so you can create some effective self-care and support strategies to help manage them. Practise self-care: Year 12 is not a sprint, it's a marathon, so pace yourself. Taking breaks to do things that make you happy is crucial and will help to keep you motivated through to the finish line. Seek help: Some stress in year 12 is totally normal – it can even help you stay motivated. But if it's constant or overwhelming, it can be harmful. If you're feeling this way, ReachOut or your GP are both good places to start when it comes to getting support. Five key steps to supporting your teen ReachOut says families can play an important role in their teen's year 12 journey. Keep communication open: Regular check-ins are important during year 12. Consider giving positive feedback, offering support and sharing your own experiences if they feel relevant. Set boundaries for technology: Technology can sometimes hinder your teen's concentration, but it can also be a necessary tool for studying, relaxing and getting support. Agree on some boundaries for activities such as social media and gaming, especially during exam periods. Take breaks together: Regular breaks are crucial for year 12 success. Taking time out as a family can help to ease the pressure on students and foster healthy bonds. You might like to schedule some simple activities that you all enjoy, to have fun and to check-in with each other. Make home study-friendly: Little things like helping your teen to set up a functional study space and having healthy snacks on hand can help to lighten their load. Watch for signs of excessive stress: If your teen is struggling with things like sleep, poor eating habits, low self-esteem, increased irritability or health problems, they may be carrying too much stress. Talk to your teen about it and seek support from places like ReachOut for Parents or your GP. 50th anniversary edition of the HSC Study Guide This is the 50th anniversary of the HSC Study Guide: a partnership with the NSW Education Standards Authority designed to support the 80,000 plus students sitting HSC exams this year and every year since 1975. More than 4 million HSC students have had the opportunity to use this resource over the 50 years of publishing. This guide offers valuable information, stories, tools and other resources designed to motivate and inspire this year's HSC students. Over the years we have spoken to past and present HSC students, how they studied, coped with the stress of the exams and how they achieved their high results. We also spoke to expert teachers who are also HSC markers who have offered their tips for success. We also adapted to the times. When COVID struck and students had to pivot during lockdowns and isolation we included expert advice from mental health services offering ways to cope with the associated stresses and tolls of working in isolation and doing exams remotely. Herald editor Bevan Shields stressed the importance of the guide as a resource for students and their parents, offering tools and guidance to navigate the all-important exams. 'The guide is something we have proudly backed for 50 years, helping countless students along the way. Its longevity is testament to its importance,' he said. 'To the HSC Class of 2025 we wish you all the success in your endeavours.'
The Age
2 days ago
- General
- The Age
Smarter, stronger, ready: what you need for HSC success
Once the exams are behind you, the world opens. University, TAFE, apprenticeships, jobs, travel, volunteering – there are many paths to fulfilment and purpose. Back yourself. Be curious and be open to what comes next. You've already achieved something remarkable by getting here. As you take these final steps toward the end of school and the beginning of whatever's next, I wish you courage and every success. Smarter, Stronger, Ready: Your 2025 HSC Study Guide You've put in the hard work and now it's time to bring it all together. The 2025 HSC is your moment to show what you've learned, how far you've come and what you're capable of. We're here to help you shine. NESA and The Sydney Morning Herald worked together on this guide, now in its 50th year, and packed with more useful support, resources and tips than ever before. You'll find practical advice from recent graduates, guidance from expert markers, and stories from familiar faces who know what it's like to tackle the final year of school. Explore our new video content and extra resources to make study more flexible, focused and even a little fun. Whether you're reviewing content, testing yourself, or just needing some inspiration for next steps, there's something here for you. See how your parents or siblings would fare in the HSC exams, by joining them on one of the biggest and best multiple choice HSC quizzes! ReachOut, our wellbeing partner, is back with trusted resources to help you manage stress, stay motivated and look after your mental health, while our colleagues at the University Admissions Centre have worked with us to dispel some persistent ATAR and HSC myths. The HSC is more than just a set of exams – it marks the conclusion to 13 years of schooling and recognises your commitment, your effort and your growth. Take what you need from this guide and be proud of how far you've come – we believe in you and we're with you all the way. Paul Martin, CEO, NSW Education Standards Authority Five simple tips to feel your best in year 12 ReachOut offers some advice on taking a proactive approach to your mental health in year 12 and beyond. Look after the basics: Simple things like moving your body, eating healthy snacks and getting regular sleep will help to keep your mood up. When you take care of these things, life tends to flow more smoothly. Break down the workload: Break your goals into small, achievable steps. This is less daunting and it can be fun to track your progress and celebrate each one as you finish. Understand your pressure points: Identify your main stressors so you can create some effective self-care and support strategies to help manage them. Practise self-care: Year 12 is not a sprint, it's a marathon, so pace yourself. Taking breaks to do things that make you happy is crucial and will help to keep you motivated through to the finish line. Seek help: Some stress in year 12 is totally normal – it can even help you stay motivated. But if it's constant or overwhelming, it can be harmful. If you're feeling this way, ReachOut or your GP are both good places to start when it comes to getting support. Five key steps to supporting your teen ReachOut says families can play an important role in their teen's year 12 journey. Keep communication open: Regular check-ins are important during year 12. Consider giving positive feedback, offering support and sharing your own experiences if they feel relevant. Set boundaries for technology: Technology can sometimes hinder your teen's concentration, but it can also be a necessary tool for studying, relaxing and getting support. Agree on some boundaries for activities such as social media and gaming, especially during exam periods. Take breaks together: Regular breaks are crucial for year 12 success. Taking time out as a family can help to ease the pressure on students and foster healthy bonds. You might like to schedule some simple activities that you all enjoy, to have fun and to check-in with each other. Make home study-friendly: Little things like helping your teen to set up a functional study space and having healthy snacks on hand can help to lighten their load. Watch for signs of excessive stress: If your teen is struggling with things like sleep, poor eating habits, low self-esteem, increased irritability or health problems, they may be carrying too much stress. Talk to your teen about it and seek support from places like ReachOut for Parents or your GP. 50th anniversary edition of the HSC Study Guide This is the 50th anniversary of the HSC Study Guide: a partnership with the NSW Education Standards Authority designed to support the 80,000 plus students sitting HSC exams this year and every year since 1975. More than 4 million HSC students have had the opportunity to use this resource over the 50 years of publishing. This guide offers valuable information, stories, tools and other resources designed to motivate and inspire this year's HSC students. Over the years we have spoken to past and present HSC students, how they studied, coped with the stress of the exams and how they achieved their high results. We also spoke to expert teachers who are also HSC markers who have offered their tips for success. We also adapted to the times. When COVID struck and students had to pivot during lockdowns and isolation we included expert advice from mental health services offering ways to cope with the associated stresses and tolls of working in isolation and doing exams remotely. Herald editor Bevan Shields stressed the importance of the guide as a resource for students and their parents, offering tools and guidance to navigate the all-important exams. 'The guide is something we have proudly backed for 50 years, helping countless students along the way. Its longevity is testament to its importance,' he said. 'To the HSC Class of 2025 we wish you all the success in your endeavours.'
Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Herald Sun
‘A sign of trust, not weakness': One thing you need to talk to your partner about today
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. It's one of the most important relationships — if not the most important — we have in our lives. But one major barrier is holding Australians back from having an equally important conversation with their partner — and it could to be their detriment. Though almost one in two (49 per cent) people speak to their loved one about their mental health at least once a week — and one in five (19 per cent) do so every day, research by News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank found that one in three Australians across all generations don't talk about it at all, out of fear of becoming a burden to their significant other. A further one in four said they were afraid of being misunderstood, dismissed or perceived as weak. Georgia Grace is a certified sex and relationship practitioner, somatic therapist and author based in Sydney. 'We need to get better at treating mental health disclosures as a sign of trust, not weakness,' she said. 'If you want intimacy — emotional, sexual, or otherwise — you have to make space for the imperfect stuff. That's where real connection happens.' Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needed to have the most important conversation of their life. Fear of being a burden or misunderstood aren't the only barriers holding Australians back from confiding in their partner about their mental health, Grace said. Another key driver is fear of losing the relationship itself, 'especially if in the past they have tried to ask for help or express they weren't OK and they were ignored or punished'. Indeed, one in four respondents shared that they were afraid of negative repercussions. One in two Australians speak to their partner about their mental health at least once a week, new research has found. Picture: David Swift 'Shame may also be getting in the way — a lot of people still carry the belief that struggling mentally makes them weak, broken or unlovable,' she said. 'So instead of opening up, they hide it, and that can become its own kind of pain. It might also be the fact that they don't know how to talk about their emotions, or they don't have the language to express what they're feeling. Many of us haven't been given the tools, so it can feel easier to let it go unsaid.' 'Hiding often does the most damage' Linda Williams is a senior psychologist and clinical lead at digital youth mental organisation ReachOut. Given your partner 'is one of the closest people to you, in most cases, they'll be able to tell something is wrong', she said. Of Australians' relationships, an overwhelming 81 per cent of respondents said that the one had the most trust in is the one they share with their partner, followed by close friends (75 per cent), parents (73 per cent) and children (71 per cent). 'It can be hard watching someone you love struggle, and not knowing why or how you can help,' Ms Williams said. 'If you don't open up about your experiences, you risk misunderstandings. They might feel like you don't trust them, which can put strain on your relationship.' Grace agreed. 'Hiding often does the most damage. When you're not talking about what's going on, the relationship starts running on assumptions, silence, and second-guessing,' she said. 'Your partner might start thinking you're pulling away, not interested, or emotionally unavailable when really, you're just trying to survive. That disconnect can create tension, resentment, or emotional shutdown. Believing that you always have to be 'the strong one' and that no one ever helps you can become a self-fulfilling prophecy,' Grace warned. 'If you never ask for help or never share what you're feeling … our partners aren't mind-readers.' 'You don't have to tell them everything at once' There is no 'right' time to disclose a mental health problem you might have with your partner — 'no perfect milestone or script'. But, Grace said, 'sooner is usually better, especially if it's starting to affect how you show up in the relationship'. 'It's probably best not to 'unload' on a first date. Being open about your mental health is important, however, be intentional with what you share, as it can feel really overwhelming for your date if they feel like they need to go into 'therapist mode',' she advised. When you do decide to broach the conversation, it can be helpful to 'think of a few key things you want to share'. 'But you don't need to over-rehearse — you're allowed to be clunky,' Grace said. Senior psychologist and clinical lead at ReachOut, Linda Williams. Picture: Supplied Sex and relationships therapist Georgia Grace. Picture: Richard Dobson 'You don't have to tell them everything at once. Start small: (you could say) 'I've been dealing with something lately that I want share with you',' she continued. 'Be clear on what you need from them — is it support, space, or just someone to listen? You also may not know just yet and that's OK, but it'll be important to reflect on this and give them information when you're ready. (And) expect that they might not respond perfectly. That's not a sign to shut down, as they also may not have the right tools. It's a starting point for deeper understanding.' Whether you've been together three months or 30 years, time and place is key to an effective chat. 'Choose a moment when you both have time and aren't distracted, not when you're both racing out the door on the way to work,' Grace said. 'In longer-term relationships, it's also important to discuss mental health before you feel like it's about to explode. If you trust the person and want something real with them, it's worth talking about.' 'You can't pour from an empty cup' As for what to do if you're the one being confided in, 'listen more than you speak', Grace said. 'Don't try to fix it, because you probably can't. Also, your partner isn't a problem that needs to be fixed — they are a person in the process of living,' she added. 'Don't minimise it. Don't jump into problem-solving mode unless they ask for it. Say something like, 'Thanks for telling me. I'm here, even if I don't have the perfect words.' 'And check in again later, not just once. That's how you show someone you're in it with them.' As the listener, Ms Williams noted that 'you might feel powerless to help, and that's OK'. 'But you can help them manage their day-to-day experiences, encourage them to get professional support and help them feel less alone,' she said. 'Looking after yourself is an important part of looking after someone else. You can't pour from an empty cup. Talking to someone you can trust can take some of the pressure off and help you navigate this tough time.' Originally published as 'A sign of trust, not weakness': One thing you need to talk to your partner about today
SBS Australia
21-06-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Australia's social media ban is approaching, but questions remain over whether it will work
April Willis says young people need a seat at the table for figuring out how to implement the teen social media ban. Source: SBS News / Ash Minchin Like many, April Willis has been using social media since her early teens. As she grew up on the platforms, she says she didn't immediately understand the impact it was having on her. She says that in hindsight, though, she can see that a lot of her "behaviours" and "the content and interactions" she had on social media platforms were "definitely not great" for her mental health. But the now 22-year-old ReachOut youth advocate says she doesn't think a ban would have stopped her. "I think the hard truth is that a lot of us are thinking, 'I would've found a way around it', as I'm sure many young people will." Whether she actually would have is one of the many questions experts are wondering six months out from the implementation of Australia's social media ban for those under the age of 16. And as of 11 December this year, social media companies will be required to take "reasonable steps" to prevent Australian children and teenagers under 16 from using their platforms. A government-commissioned trial into the potential technologies used to assess the ages of users presented their preliminary findings on Friday. Their key finding was that "age assurance can be done in Australia and can be private, robust and effective". "The preliminary findings indicate that there are no significant technological barriers preventing the deployment of effective age assurance systems in Australia," project director Tony Allen said in a statement. "These solutions are technically feasible, can be integrated flexibly into existing services, and can support the safety and rights of children online." With details about the accuracy of the technologies tested left for later release, experts are wary of the trial's initial claim. Daniel Angus is a professor of digital communication at the Queensland University of Technology and the director of its Digital Media Research Centre. "One of the key concerns that we have is how the industry often will inflate their accuracy and the utility of these approaches when we know that there are still significant issues when it comes to both gender and also racial biases, but also the general lack of efficacy of these approaches," he said. According to the Department of Communications, a government-commissioned report from the Social Research Centre found nearly nine in 10 adults were supportive of age assurance measures. Only two of those 10 had heard of at least one potential method to check a person's age online. 'This research shows Australians widely support our world-leading age restrictions on social media for under 16s and have strong expectations of platforms when it comes to data protection and security," Communications Minister Anika Wells said in a statement. Angus says the general public has not been adequately informed about the likely impacts of these technologies. "I think Australians are in for a very rude shock when this actually perhaps, gets implemented, and they all of a sudden are being forced to hand over [their] data to access services that they've freely been able to access up to this point," he said. "It's absolutely everything you would expect to find in the midst of a moral panic where people have been sucked along with this idea that, 'Yeah, this thing is really, really bad and we need to prevent it,' but have not stopped to think critically about this, and then not been properly informed about the fullness of that risk." John Pane, chair of digital rights organisation Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA), is a member of the stakeholder advisory board for the trial. He says the EFA has "concerns about the rollout of this technology because it's not simply about restricting access to social media platforms for children 15 and under". "It requires all adults who participate in the online environment, who wish to access social media platforms to either have their age authenticated or establish their identity as a means of, or part of that age authentication. "So from our perspective, it's the Trojan horse for getting people to get used to providing more and more credentials online." Amid these concerns, some remain supportive of the ban, including Kirra Pendergast, another member of the stakeholder advisory board. "Initially, I was only against the ban purely because of the technical workarounds that are possible for some kids who are more technical than others," she said. "But after having lots of conversations with parents in particular, it became abundantly clear that the ban was making parents have a conversation that we've needed to have for a very, very long time." Pendergast is the founder of Safe on Social, an online safety advisory group for schools and businesses, and chief digital safety strategist at the global Ctrl+Shft Coalition. "I get contacted almost every single day by parents that are struggling with this," the cybersecurity expert said. "They don't know how to say no." Pendergast said parents and educators would have "a lot more time to get it right". "It's like all aspects of technical security, cybersecurity, and cyber safety. It's never ever going to be 100 per cent. This is never going to be the silver bullet. "It's a really, really good start because, again, it sparked all of the conversations that we needed to have at every level of society." Professor Tama Leaver, an internet studies academic at Curtin University and the chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, says the ban responds to a "very real fear that parents have that social media is an unknown space". "If this is world-leading, we need to be quite clear on what the legislation is actually doing." He warned that the implementation of the policy may not address all the issues that have been discussed. "Some harms, for example, such as cyberbullying, were very much touted as one of the big problems to be solved," he said. "There is nothing in this legislation that addresses cyberbullying meaningfully at all. "This at best addresses algorithmic amplification … of young people's experiences of social media, but … we expect from what's been said already that most messaging apps are exempt from this legislation. "So, the spaces where we imagine cyberbullying is most likely to happen are not being touched by this legislation at all." Leaver was a signatory on an open letter from more than 140 academics and civil society organisations against the ban. "If the rest of the world is watching Australia and hoping that this might be a blueprint, we're going to have an awful lot of work to do in the next few months to actually have a blueprint to practically do this rather than simply aspire to giving parents some reassurance," he said.
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
What is an LGBTQ+ ally and how to serve the community this Pride Month
Pride month has arrived in the UK so here's a refresher on why supporting the LGBTQ+ community is so important in 2025 and how exactly to be a good ally Pride month is finally here and its time for a refresh on how best to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Despite it being 2025, members of the queer community still suffer prejudice and hate, only made worse now by the UK Supreme Court ruling excluding trans people from the definition of "woman," and further the need of"third spaces" as a result. Deloitte's 2023 LGBT+ Inclusion at Work report surveyed 5,474 LGBTQ+ people in the workplace, across multiple sectors in 13 countries and found that 49% of UK employees hesitate to discuss any aspect of their private life, compared to the collective 37% elsewhere. The study also found that British workers showed more concern of being treated differently, scoring 43% to the global 39%. Whilst this may be initially concerning, Deloitte also stated that more than half of the UK LGBTQ+ employees surveyed felt more comfortable being 'out' in their work environment than all other countries asked; 52% happy to be out versus 43% not in Britain. The community in Britain shared that this also extended to their feelings around more senior colleagues in their organisation. Covering all levels of seniority, UK respondents are more likely to be 'out', the data showing "45% in UK junior roles vs 37% globally; and 60% in UK senior roles vs 51% globally". Though 59% of employees chalked this positive result down to ally-ship and support, an additional 12% in Britain admitted to fearing the affect being queer would have on their career opportunities and 25% claimed they would face discrimination/harassment if out. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you! At the time, Jackie Henry, Deloitte's managing partner for people and purpose, stated: "The findings show that organisations still need to do more to provide a safe environment in which LGBTQ+ employees feel able to be themselves at work". What is an ally? Two years on, the community have continued to celebrate Pride month and its festivals, encouraging others to learn and show support, but being a good friend and being an good ally or two different things, says Reach Out - a mentoring and support collective for young people. They define "ally" as "someone who stands up for, supports equal rights for everyone," and in the case of the LGBTQ+ community, refers to them as someone who does "what you can to call out discrimination and fight for equality, trying to make the world a better place for anyone who identify as LGBTQIA+". How to be a good LGBTQ+ ally Reach Out also state the importance of being a visible ally, whether that be attending rallies and events, "calling out homophobia, transphobia or queerphobia wherever you see it, and supporting businesses, charities or other initiatives owned or operated by LGBTQIA+ people". Listening to learn and being respectful: Take the initiating to educate yourself on LGBTQ+ history, listening actively and not downplaying or invalidating people's experience. Being open to, and engaging with, these conversations helps ensure you and others treat those around you with respect. Using inclusive language and accepting gender diversity: We can do this by respecting names and pronouns chosen by members of the community, and opting for words that don't assume genders and relationship roles. For example, terms such as "partner" is inclusive. Uplifting diverse voices: Often, the community's experience is also effected by other factors such as religion, ability, culture and race. Seek these diverse stories out for a more well-rounded understanding of the complexities being LGBTQ+. Seeing the whole person: It is easy to label someone by one characteristic or factor. Its important to acknowledge people are layered and complex, with many interests, passions and skills that and should be celebrated.
