by Helen Davidson     All children experience anxiety; it’s normal and expected - particularly at specific developmental times.   From the age of 8-9 months of age for example, a baby may begin to show worry and distress at being separated from a parent or known carer and this may continue through the pre-school years.   ...read more »

by David Keefe, Coolmind     The first line of Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If’, starts with a helpful message; ‘if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you” you’re off to a great start.  I must come clean … I don’t have teenagers at home, but I have enough of them in my life to keep me honest to that message.   ...read more »

by Tahlia Mandie, Direction Exploring     We all want to have close friendships. As human beings, by nature, we gravitate to the acceptance of others and crave the need to feel worthy and loved. We are creatures that need to be around others, as opposed to totally be reliant on our own company. Going to school is no longer about the activities they may be learning, but rather the friends they are going to see.  ...read more »

by the Editor     The trauma experienced by children as natural disasters strike and in their aftermath can be quite significant.  Even those not directly affected by the catastrophe may be worried about loved ones and/or exposed to a great number of disturbing images through the media.  ...read more »

headspace is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation website. headspace provides mental and health wellbeing support, information and services to young people and their families across Australia. The people that work at headspace are providing solutions for young people aged 12 to 25 years.  ...read more »

Somazone is a safe space for young people to ask questions, share stories and get help for mental health issues, sexual health, relationships, abuse, body image, and drug use.

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Kidscount is the parenting website of the Australian Childhood Foundation with information on raising confident children, including understanding childrens' experiences and development, responding to children and finding help.  ...read more »

Kids Help Line is a free, confidential and anonymous counselling service for kids and young adults. For kids there is a safe, fun and interactive place to explore the issues that affect them most.  For parents, there is a parentline for support services as wll as a newsletter.  ...read more »

Reach Out! is a web-based service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times and helps them to make life choices.  ...read more »