The Darker Side of Facebook: Cyber-Bullying

Facebook has become a positive part of many of our lives, but there is a darker side of Facebook that all parents and educators need to be aware of: cyber-bullying.

It is inevitable that bullies will try to use social networking sites as a tool. It gives them a platform to humiliate their victims not just in front of a schoolyard full of kids but potentially a global audience, with little chance of being held accountable.

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Girls in Trouble in a Post-Feminism World

Parents, teachers and educators everywhere know in our hearts that girls and young women are in trouble and need our support. And the evidence is mounting to prove that we are right to be concerned.

A 19-year-long Scottish study published recently in the journal of Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology showed that teenage girls are now the most depressed section of the population. 

The study, by Helen Sweeting, showed that girls were reporting mental disorders at a rate of 44%. Read the story »

Domestic Bullying: the emotional and psychological abuse of women

You’ve heard of school yard bullying, cyber bullying and workplace bullying. But did you know the most common type of bullying actually occurs in the home? Domestic bullying, or the psychological and emotional abuse of a partner or close relative, is the silent epidemic and while most of the research has focused on the violence perpetrated by a male toward a female partner, it is important to note that domestic violence can happen to anyone.

Home is suppose to be our sanctuary from the world, the one place where we feel safe and secure. But for some people, home can became an emotional and psychological prison from which they cannot escape. Read the story »

My Business took me to the Oscars

When former school teacher Sharon Thurin (pictured with Jai Rodriguez) created Slim Secrets, she had no idea the company she started would one day take her all the way to the Academy Awards in Los Angeles. After seeing a gap in the market, the wife and mother of 3, just wanted to offer a healthy range of snack foods that didn’t taste like cardboard. She never imagined her business would one day see her rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous at Elton John’s famed Oscars Party in 2008, or that she would be invited back again this year for the 82nd Academy Awards next month.

In image conscious Hollywood, there aren’t too many snack food companies that can honestly say they’re a favourite among celebrities. In a town where every pound counts, no-one wants to be seen snacking on choc chip cookies and potato chips. Read the story »

Call for Health Ministers to Regulate Counselling and Psychotherapy Services

Who could forget the tragic story of Rebekah Lawrence, the Sydney woman who jumped to her death during a psychotic episode triggered by her participation in a self-development course run by unqualified people. While this is an extreme example of bad therapy, you have to wonder how many vulnerable people are being emotionally and psychologically damaged each day in Australia because health ministers are continuing to drag their feet on the issue of regulation. At present, anyone can hang out a shingle and start practicing as a counsellor or psychotherapist in Australia and isn’t that a scary thought?

At the coronial inquest into Rebekah’s death, NSW Deputy State Coroner, Malcolm MacPherson, recommended restricting the provision of counselling and psychotherapy services to those with recognised, relevant tertiary qualifications. Read the story »