Latest news with #youthwellbeing
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Struggling with identity': Asean youth mental health forum hears rising stress levels among social media generation
KOTA KINABALU, June 29 — A total of 135 participants from Asean member states and Timor Leste attended the two-day Roundtable Discussion: Asean Youth Mental Health 2025 held here, which began yesterday. Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh said the forum brought together participants from various backgrounds, including mental health experts, religious figures, policymakers, government officials, civil society representatives and youth. In the Malaysian context, she said the forum was crucial as findings from the Malaysian Youth Mental Health Index Study 2023 (MyMHI'23) indicated that the mental health of youths aged 15 to 30 remained at a moderate level. 'For a serious issue like this, the government needs the involvement of all parties to come together and discuss. In this case, we need the cooperation of medical experts, youth representatives and religious groups,' she said after opening the programme here today. Meanwhile, the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) Acting Chief Executive Officer Shahhanim Yahya said that today's youth appear to struggle with their self-identity, as they are increasingly open about expressing emotions and stress on social media. 'The scope of stress is broad, and this is why it's important for us to better understand the determine whether the cause of stress stems from within themselves or from their surrounding ecosystem,' she said. Themed 'Asean Youth Voice: Empowering Minds, Ensuring Well-being', the programme aims to address the mental health challenges of Asean youth through regional cooperation, exchange of best practices and promoting inclusive advocacy to increase mental health literacy and improve access to mental health care. — Bernama
News.com.au
25-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
‘It's not straightforward': Huge issue 1 in 3 Aussie parents have never discussed with their kids
One in three Australian families have never talked about one of the biggest problems facing our population — exposing a fundamental disconnect between parents and their children when it comes to having what could be one of the most critical conversations of their life. Research by News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank found 28 per cent of parents with 16- to 30-year-old children have never discussed their mental wellbeing with their children, while about half of all parents (49 per cent) with kids in that age range agreed that they do — or would — find it hard to tell them they were experiencing challenges or struggling with their mental wellbeing. It's a problem that remains even when the roles are reversed. Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of 18- to 30-year-olds said they would struggle to confide in their mum, dad or an older family member about their mental health — despite the fact 47 per cent of all young Australians described their parents as the number one relationship in their life who they wish they could talk to more. 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. Unlike with a partner or a friend, the relationship between parents and their children is 'rarely straightforward', clinical psychologist Amanda Gordon said. 'Parents often feel that they're there to care for their children, to make them feel safe, to bring them up so that they can become effective adults and often, they don't want to worry their children in their childhood about things that might (then) worry them in the future. 'So there is a really complex interplay of, 'How do I talk with my child about mental health in a way that's going to be useful and supportive to them without frightening them or without making them be too introspective and worried about things they needn't be?' … It can be very hard for parents to get onto the (same) wavelength to talk to their children about what's really going on for them.' On the flip side, according to headspace clinical advice and governance national manager, Caroline Thain, 'we know that young people often turn to their peers first when discussing mental health.' About two thirds of Gen Z respondents (68 per cent) speak to their partner about their mental wellbeing at least once a week, if not more often. Informal, peer-driven platforms like Instagram and TikTok also outpace established medical sources and experts as the primary resource of mental health and wellbeing information for our nation's youngest. 'Wellbeing is deeply tied to feeling culturally connected and included,' Ms Thain said. 'If we're not looking at a young person through a cultural lens, we risk missing the full picture. Every young person's environment matters — their community, their culture, their identity. Understanding that helps us support them better.' The attitudinal divide between generations when it comes to mental health cannot be overlooked, she said. Though Australia has 'come in leaps and bounds in even the last 20 years in building emotional literacy in school-aged children, there are still generations finding their voice when it comes to talking about mental health, and some generations may still be navigating outdated beliefs without stigma and worry'. Ms Gordon echoed the sentiment — noting that parents in generations past, particularly baby boomers, 'didn't know that they were allowed to be vulnerable in front of their children'. 'We were brought up to be stoic. We were brought up to not talk about feelings — except perhaps (being in) love with our partner, but otherwise to just get on with it,' she said. 'Women were seen as hysterical if they were sad. Men certainly couldn't show their sadness. They didn't know they could be weak. And now we want parents to acknowledge that there is a vulnerability, and there are ways of dealing with it.' Though 'it is becoming easier, generation by generation, as we destigmatise the whole idea of mental illness', such old-fashioned views can prohibit children from talking to their mum or dad about their difficulties 'if they believe they can't help them — if they believe their parents won't understand them or they won't support them, or they don't have the resources to manage', Ms Gordon said. 'I've met many children who have been wary of upsetting their parents, whom they feel are already burdened by life and find life too difficult themselves,' she added. 'Just because you (as a parent) have a mental health problem, doesn't mean your child will feel that you can be sympathetic to them. They need to see that you can find strategies and solutions to manage your life in order for them to feel safe that you can help them manage theirs.' Often the biggest barrier, Ms Thain said, 'is simply not knowing where to start'. 'That uncertainty can lead to missed opportunities for connection and support,' she continued. 'But sharing the right amount of your own experience can actually help normalise these conversations.' For headspace National Family Reference Group member Michelle Jane, supporting her two eldest children through their own respective mental health challenges 'taught me that listening is often more powerful than speaking'. 'Busy lives can mean fewer chances for deep, honest conversations, and for some parents, mental health wasn't something openly discussed growing up, which can make these talks feel unfamiliar or daunting,' Ms Jane said. '(But) sharing our own mental health experiences with young people helps them feel less alone — it shows that these challenges are part of being human. It's a chance to model healthy coping strategies and to normalise seeking help. Talking openly can also be a way to share what's worked for us — how we've sought support and found ways to manage.' Ms Gordon said it's about changing the language — not the message. 'Parents who are frightened are often frightened — and they've said in (News Corp's Growth Distillery and Medibank's survey) — because they don't know the words to use, or they're worried that they don't know what they would do if their child told them that they were struggling,' she said. 'I think the most important thing about talking about mental illness and mental health crises in families is for everyone to know that everyone is vulnerable, but everyone will also have the resources if we work together to manage that vulnerability.' When it comes to navigating conversations about mental health with your children, the most important thing is to 'be honest, but thoughtful about what you share — your child shouldn't feel responsible for solving your problems', Ms Jane advised. 'Make it a two-way conversation. Let them ask questions and check in with how they're feeling. Respect their autonomy. What worked for you might not work for them, and that's OK,' she said. It's also OK to start small, Ms Gordon said, and 'to not feel like you have to deal with everything in one conversation'. 'Just gently, as a parent, ask your child how they're feeling today,' she suggested. 'Have them take the opportunity to identify different emotions that might occur in response to different events that occurred in their life. How did it make you feel when such and such did this? Or how did it make you feel when I yelled at you before? And talk about those feelings as a starting point. 'Don't expect to get it all done. Stop and listen to the responses, and the responses will guide you as to the next step.'
Daily Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
Why Gen Z kids and their parents don't talk
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mental Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. Pride, trust issues and a fear of judgment are preventing Australian families from talking more about mental health, new research has found. Half of parents of 16 to 30-year-olds are uncomfortable talking to their children about their wellbeing, although a third want to. Worryingly, younger people found it even harder to communicate, with 62 per cent of respondents unable to confide in older family members. The next phase of News Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign launching today, in partnership with Medibank, will focus on how families can support each other with mental health challenges. The new research, by New Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank, has exposed the intergenerational barriers holding families back from supporting each other. It found families often lacked the tools, language and 'mental health literacy' to communicate. Young people were most concerned about negative responses. It calls on parents to take the lead and spark conversations around mental health in a casual, empathetic way. Parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson said asking for 'consent' before raising a tough topic or sharing advice could be a 'gamechanger'. 'Asking for consent seems like a small thing, but can change a conversation drastically,' he said. 'What I find helpful with my daughter is to say, 'I've noticed this happening with you', and then, 'I have some ideas that could help if you're interested. If you're not, that's totally fine'. Justin Couslon has given useful tips that he says can be a 'gamechanger'. Picture Lachie Millard 'Or if you are the one opening up, start by asking if someone can just listen.' The father-of-six, and R U OK? ambassador, said there were many reasons why people felt reluctant to share issues with family members. Younger people often worried that a parent would interfere, judge them or deliver a lecture. On the flip side, parents may fear being seen as a 'failure', or want to avoid using their children as 'therapists'. But he said positive communication across generations in families helped build connection. 'We need to equip families to talk about these topics because many struggle,' he said. 'The more we communicate with each other, the more we can develop trust, be vulnerable and sense when someone's okay or not. It's important to be intentional about these conversations because if you are staring at a screen and not each other, it's hard to pick up when someone needs help.' Half of parents of Gen Zs and Millenials are uncomfortable talking about their wellbeing. The Growth Distillery research found all topics were harder to talk about with someone in a different generation. But relationship issues topped the list, with more than half reluctant to share across age groups, followed by social pressures (52 per cent) and stress (49 per cent). Relationships Australia CEO Elisabeth Shaw said research showed 18 to 25-year-olds were one of the loneliest groups, and it was important they had someone 'safe' to talk to, whether it was a family member or not. 'Knowing that in their darkest times, young people have someone to talk to, is a huge protective factor for mental health and suicide,' she said. 'But if they feel shut down, dismissed or ridiculed by family, or if there's disinterest, then that hurts more than if it were a casual acquaintance. 'What's important is to talk to somebody who is trustworthy and open to your experience.' She said in many ways, today's young people had more in common with their parents than ever before, such as social media use, online dating and multiple romantic relationships. 'The clash happens when the younger generation feels shut down and misunderstood. A way to take that into account is to enter their world, rather than taking the approach of: 'Do it my way and follow my recommendations'.' Originally published as Three reasons parents and their millenial or Gen Z kids don't talk
Irish Times
03-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Almost 50% of children and teenagers struggling with ‘feeling low'
There has been a large increase in the proportion of children in the Republic who report feeling low at least every week, according to fresh research. A report published on Tuesday found that almost half of children and teenagers (46.3 per cent) reported 'feeling low' on at least a weekly basis in 2022, up from 23 per cent in 1998. Girls were more likely to report feeling low than boys: 57.6 per cent compared with 35.2 per cent. The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey monitored the health behaviours and outcomes of young people every four years between 1998 and 2022. Those surveyed ranged in age from 10 to 17. READ MORE The report found a decrease in the proportion of young people happy with life at present (down from 88.1 per cent to 78.5 per cent) and in those reporting a high level of life satisfaction (down from 76 per cent to 61.6 per cent). The latest report also found an increase in the number of children and teens feeling pressured by school work (up from 32.9 per cent to 47.8 per cent), and increases in the number of children who reported experiencing headaches (up from 26 per cent to 38.2 per cent) and sleep disturbances (30.9 per cent up to 46.3 per cent). There was a small increase in the proportion of those who reported going to school or bed hungry because there was not enough food at home: up from 16.6 per cent in 2002 to 18.3 per cent in 2022. Prof Colette Kelly, who co-led the research at the University of Galway , said the number of those reporting feeling low is 'definitely worrying'. The survey doesn't ask children why they feel low, noted Prof Kelly, but she said young people are consuming information about war, climate change and the cost-of-living crisis. They are also dealing with the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, she added. There was a small increase in the proportion of those who reported being bullied at school once or more in the past couple of months: up from 24.6 per cent in 1998 to 28.6 per cent in 2022. The number of girls who reported being bullied increased from 19.6 per cent to 29.5 per cent during the same period, while the number of boys who reported being bullied decreased slightly from 29.2 per cent to 27.7 per cent. The proportions of young people smoking, drinking and using cannabis have reduced significantly in recent years. The number of children who reported ever being 'really drunk' decreased from 33 per cent in 1998 to 17.8 per cent in 2022. There was also a moderate reduction in the proportion of children and teenagers who reported cannabis use in the last 12 months: down from 12.3 per cent in 1998 to 6.5 per cent in 2022. The research also found that smoking rates reduced from 22.6 per cent to 4.7 per cent in the same period. Minister of State for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor was not present at the launch but spoke via a pre-recorded video message. 'The good news is that we are seeing a significant long-term decline in the use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis in young people. Compared to 1998, today's young people are less likely to smoke, drink regularly or experiment with drugs,' said Ms Murnane O'Connor. The junior minister added that the report highlights ongoing challenges, particularly in mental health and social inequality. 'Many adolescents continue to report pressure at school, bullying, sleep difficulties, and going to bed hungry. While substance use is declining, disparities remain, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or marginalised communities,' she said. 'We need to support equality and ensure that no young person is left behind.'
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Lewis Hamilton urges UK education reform: ‘Something needs to change'
Lewis Hamilton has urged the UK government to implement educational reform after new data highlighted the concerns of young students and those from a vulnerable background. Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton, 40, has previously spoken of being racially abused at school and admitted he felt as though he 'didn't belong or matter' as a student. Hamilton's foundation, Mission 44, last year launched a Nothing Happens in Isolation campaign, with a focus on the high rates of suspensions and exclusions in schools across the country Now, a new survey has highlighted the issues young people face. Among the most glaring statistics, 41% of young people say their school/college has not shown concern for their worries or wellbeing – a number that rises to 64% for those with a disability. Hamilton said: 'I remember the challenges I faced at school. I didn't feel like my voice was heard, or that anyone wanted to look into the reasons why I was struggling so much. 'If they had, then perhaps my experience at school would have been very different. Instead, I was made to feel like I didn't belong and that I didn't matter. 'Today young people across the country, especially the most vulnerable students, are saying they feel the same way, and they need something to change. 'We need to listen and do all we can to ensure their experiences lead to the feeling of inclusion.' Other data shows that 34% of parents believe their child's learning needs or preferences are not being met, while three in four young people want a greater say in shaping what and how they learn. In addition, 43% of students say they have skipped school due to stress, anxiety or tiredness. Mission 44 CEO Jason Arthur added: 'Rising rates of absence, misbehaviour, suspensions and exclusions are symptoms of a deeper lack of inclusion - many of which disproportionately impact our most vulnerable students. 'Our new research now shows it's the same students who are least likely to feel they belong or be listened to in the system. That makes this not just an education issue, but a matter of social justice. 'Through our Nothing Happens in Isolation campaign, we're calling for urgent, joined-up action to address the real drivers of these issues: unmet needs, mental health challenges, discrimination, and poverty. 'Unfortunately, there is no one silver bullet for this, but it must include listening to student voice and equipping schools with the tools they need to create inclusive environments for all. 'Our campaign is not about blaming teachers. We're calling for systemic change so that every child can thrive and achieve in the classroom. 'We need a framework that outlines what good school inclusion is, a mechanism to hear young people's experiences of school and what they need, a teaching workforce that reflects the communities they serve and more personalised support for vulnerable students.' Mission 44 was launched by Ferrari driver Hamilton in 2021, with the aim of building a more inclusive future for young people in motorsport and beyond.
