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Mental health

EducationCommentsPremiumUrgent warning after teen’s suicide following AI bot romance

A prominent psychologist has sounded the alarm on the perils of teens falling in love with virtual girlfriends or boyfriends powered by artificial intelligence.

Bethany Hiatt

HealthCommentsPremiumAustralian charity funds perinatal mental health course

A charity supporting the mental health of expectant parents has launched a fully-funded tertiary qualification to address the nationwide shortage of perinatal mental health specialists amid skyrocketing demand.

Hannah Cross

Food for thoughtCommentsThe huge change benefitting WA hospital patients

Hospitals are not the most popular places to be but one massive change has given Aussies at this private health carer’s medical facilities reason to smile.

opinion
opinion
HEALTH & WELLBEING
opinion
Social media risks and benefits for our children

While there are some benefits to social media, excessive use among young people comes with a whole range of problems, psychologist Jessica Heller-Bhatt writes.

Jessica Heller-Bhatt

Mental healthPremiumCrisis calls to Lifeline WA soar past COVID-19 numbers

WA’s peak suicide prevention service received a record number of crisis calls last month, as the cost of living crisis continues to push people to breaking point. 

Jessica Evensen

Mentally strong Sharks lead the way in Football West mental health award

Albany Sharks Soccer Club may be one of Australia’s youngest sporting clubs, but the second-year club is leading the sport in mental health awareness.

Harry Grigson

opinion
opinion
HEALTH & WELLBEING
opinion
Study shows benefits of 11 minutes of exercise a day

Emma Polette has good news for anyone worried they aren’t exercising enough — a recent study shows just 11 minutes of exercise a day will do a great job too.

Emma Polette

PoliceCommentsPremiumWA cop and new father doing his bit for men’s mental health

Chris Duke is keenly aware of his mental health battles. After losing his mother and then his daughter, he was living in a nightmare. But he came out the other side and wants others to know they can too.

Phil Hickey

The NightlyAndrew Garfield and Elmo’s ‘important’ lesson goes viral

A conversation between the Spiderman actor and Elmo tackling an emotion rarely discussed in children’s programming went viral. A psychologist says the interaction was ‘extremely important’.

Aditi Shrikant

Health & WellbeingBombshell find linking trauma & stress to genes

Experts say it could be making you more anxious and even liable to age faster.

John Naish

SEE THE PICSCamera IconNgala ball raises awareness of healthy child development

It was a night of glamour and important discussions at the annual major fundraiser for WA’s leading parental support and child development organisation.

opinion
opinion
HEALTH & WELLBEINGComments
opinion
What parenting courses get wrong

Experienced Denmark psychologist Jessica Heller-Bhatt explains: “What really counts is your child’s unique needs — something generic parenting courses can never teach.”

Jessica Heller-Bhatt

YOUTH PHOTOSHOOTPremiumBYA offers professional photoshoot for Bridgetown youth

For Mental Health Week, Blackwood Youth Action is holding a free photoshoot for young people in Bridgetown to promote belonging and friendship.

Anjelica Smilovitis

RURAL MENTAL HEALTHPremiumMental health advocate touches guests with raw speech

A guest speaker brought people to tears with his raw speech at a Lake Grace ball designed to highlight mental health in regional areas.

Hannah Whitehead

HealthCommentsPremiumWA mourns as charity icon dies after cancer diagnosis

Ros Worthington — a charity icon and former Western Australian of the Year — has died after choosing to undertake voluntary assisted dying following a lung cancer diagnosis.

Caleb Runciman

Power of naturePremiumPerth GP’s guide to beating burnout & better mental health

Former Perth GP Dr Jenny Brockis has turned her own experience of burnout into a book exploring the important connection to nature and the outside world

Rebecca Parish

MAD HATTERSPremiumMad hatters descend on Albany city centre for mental health

Whacky hats and colourful characters were aplenty at the Mad Hatter Tea Party on Friday, marking the 10th anniversary of the headspace-run event.

Melissa Sheil

ScienceCommentsHow a simple cheek swab could reveal the day you’ll die

It’s the only thing in life that’s guaranteed — and yet knowing exactly when you’re going to die still remains a mystery.

Xantha Leatham

Mental Health PrizePremiumJuli Coffin awarded 2024 Australian Mental Health Prize

A Broome-based researcher who established an innovative Equine Assisted Learning program in the Kimberley has been honoured among the 2024 Australian Mental Health Prize winners.

Katya Minns

MANJIMUP HEADSPACEPremiumheadspace service will open in Manjimup next year

Community members fighting for better mental health services in the Warren-Blackwood region have had their voices heard with a headspace set to be opened in Manjimup next year. 

Anjelica Smilovitis

STATE POLITICSCommentsPremiumPublic servants’ mental health claims cost double in compo

Taxpayers forked out more than $300 million on workers’ compensation for public servants last year, with soaring claims of poor mental health costing double the average payout.

Dylan Caporn

opinion
opinion
HEALTH & WELLBEING
opinion
Gained weight? It could have nothing to do with food

Personal trainer, yoga teacher and anti-diet health coach Emma Polette looks at the reasons behind weight gain that have nothing to do with food, and one surprising solution.

Emma Polette

WORKPLACE MATTERSGrim data exposes number of Australians who are miserable at work

The states and the demographics with the happiest - and unhappiest - workers were revealed.

Hayley Taylor

opinion
opinion
HEALTH & WELLBEINGComments
opinion
Five ways to keep fit over 50

BodyCare Health Club’s Amber Cekerevac shares her top five tips for staying active and healthy after the 50-year milestone.

Amber Cekerevac