Disclaimer: This blog discusses depression. If you require immediate support, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. For both teenagers and parents, navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence can be challenging. Between trying to navigate high school, figuring out who you are and who you want to be, and hormonal changes during puberty, it is common for mood swings, irritability and emotional fluctuations to occur. So how do we know when these mood swings are part of growing up, and when they might signal something more serious, like depression?  Research shows that whil ..read more

The idea of happiness has fascinated humanity for thousands of years. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Epicurus, Aristotle and Plato were all curious about the concept of happiness and what thoughts and actions may cultivate this emotion.   Clearly being happy all the time is an unrealistic and unhelpful goal. However, there are choices we make in life that can help increase our chances of experiencing feelings of positivity.   We may live in a very different world to the Ancient Greeks, however some of these concepts seem more relevant than ever in a world plagued with m ..read more

Disclaimer - this blog discusses the topic of suicide. If you require immediate support, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. The relationship between gender and mental health is complex and intriguing. For example, research consistently reflects a gender difference in terms of suicide rates. Statistics reflect that Australian males are three times more likely to die by suicide than females and account for 75% of deaths by suicide. Similarly, the number of men who die by suicide in Australia every year is nearly double the national road toll. So why are men more likely to die by ..read more

More and more you are likely to hear people speaking out against weight biased care, and calling out fat phobia for the harm it is doing to everyone, particularly to those living in bigger bodies. But what are the alternatives? Thankfully, there are superheroes across the world working hard to change the medicalisation of size, and the moral value given to smaller bodies.   Change isn’t easy, and those working towards change are often having to adapt, rethink, and re-language their position as they continue to learn things they didn’t know before. If you’re already familiar with Health At ..read more

The journey towards recovery from an eating disorder can make engaging in movement difficult. How can you safely move your body without triggering a relapse? One option is a unique style of kickboxing which has gained recognition for its potential to aid women in their recovery: trauma-informed kickboxing. By combining the principles of trauma sensitivity and interoception, Georgia and the team at Conscious Combat offer a holistic adjunct to recovery that focuses on rebuilding the mind-body connection. In this blog, we will explore how trauma-informed kickboxing helps women with eating disorde ..read more

As we are well and truly entering the depths of winter, many people experience decreased mood. The shorter days, colder temperatures, and lack of sunlight can lead to a condition known as the ‘winter blues.’ During this time, you may feel more lethargic, sad, and less motivated. However, there are ways to combat these feelings and keep on top of your mental health during the colder months. In this blog, we will explore the causes of ‘winter blues’ and practical strategies to help improve your mood this winter. Understanding the winter blues: The ‘winter blues’, also known as Seasonal Affective ..read more

In her previous blog Clinical Psychologist Ashley Depasquale discussed libido, or sexual desire in broad terms and discussed how ones health, relationships, and environment might contribute to spontaneous and responsive desire. Below, she digs a little deeper in to individual factors that may contribute to understanding what turns you on, and off. One key way to understand your sexual health a little bit is to understand what impacts our experience of sexual arousal. Sexual arousal is our experience of being turned on. It’s how we respond to sexually relevant information in our environment. Th ..read more

The term "mindfulness" has been gaining popularity as a buzzword in recent years, but this ancient practice actually has roots in the Buddhist tradition that date back thousands of years. So, what exactly is mindfulness and how can it benefit you? Despite its newfound popularity, mindfulness is much more than just a trend or social media buzz.   In this blog post, we'll delve into the essence of mindfulness and examine its potential to bring positive changes to our lives.    What is mindfulness?             Mindfulness is th ..read more

It is not unusual to wonder if your level of sexual desire is “normal”, and unless you’re lucky enough to have a close group of friends who can talk about issues related to sex and desire, people often feel isolated in their wondering. Popular media often publishes articles on how much sex couples “should” be having, however this sort of absolute “there is one right model for everyone” opinion is rarely helpful. And then of course there is desire outside of coupledom, and ideas about what one “should” be doing with their “free and easy time”. Clinical Psychologist Ashley Depasquale discussed w ..read more

We often hear people talk about ‘anger issues’ to dismiss others’ emotions or as a warning to stay away from someone. Further, when eager to maintain a positive relationship, we often perceive we should not get angry at, or in relation to, those we care about. Is anger really the problem? Anger is like any feeling – it’s never a problem. Our feelings help us have better relationships with ourselves and others. Why are relationships important? To survive, animals need to avoid predators. As humans, we are social beings – therefore to survive and thrive, we need to avoid losing relationships. Bu ..read more