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Climate change, activism, and supporting the mental health of children and young people: Perspectives from Western AustraliaThe climate crisis has detrimental impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Psychological effects include feelings of fear, overwhelm, worry, distress, hopelessness and anger; PTSD; depression; anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; sleep disturbances; attachment disorders; learning difficulties; substance abuse; shock and trauma symptoms; adjustment problems; behavioural problems; and, suicidal thinking.
Research
Association between mental health workforce supply and clusters of high and low rates of youth suicide: An Australian study using suicide mortality data from 2016 to 2020Abstract: To examine the association between mental health workforce supply and spatial clusters of high versus low incidence of youth suicide.
Research
Support needs and experiences of young people living in families with mental illnessChildren and adolescents living in families affected by mental illness are at elevated risk of developing mental health problems. A range of interventions have been designed to help these young people; however, the effectiveness of these programs is, in some cases, mixed. Our aim was to understand in detail the support needs and experiences of a group of Australian children and adolescents living in families with mental illness.


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Aboriginal-led survey to better understand the mental health of young Aboriginal LGBTQA+ peopleA project, lead by Aboriginal and Aboriginal LGBTQA+ researchers examining the mental health of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ people, is launching a nation-wide survey, to help drive meaningful change for the community.

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Innovative mental health researcher takes top prize at WA Mental Health AwardsOutstanding Aboriginal mental health researcher Professor Juli Coffin has taken out top honours at the 2021 Western Australian Mental Health Awards in recognition of her ground-breaking work to enhance Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing.

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The Kids researchers named as finalists in 2020 Premier’s Science AwardsTwo The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers have been named as finalists in the 2020 Western Australian Premier’s Science Awards.
Research
Psychiatry and PharmacologyDissociation can exist along a continuum from normal developmental experiences to severe and contributing to persistent mental illness and impeding normal development. It can also occur as a discreet symptom in a range of disorders or as a disorder itself, and can change depending on a number of factors such as the age and stage of development.
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The Role of Friends in Supporting Young People With Cancer: A Scoping ReviewPeers play a crucial role in supporting wellbeing and psychosocial development for young people aged 12-25. However, a cancer experience often leads to challenges maintaining friendships. There have been no prior attempts to map or synthesise available research or resources on support specifically from friends for young people with cancer, limiting the capacity to draw conclusions or determine next steps for how to best support young people with cancer. This review aims to address this gap by mapping and synthesising the available literature and resources.
Research
Substance use among trans and gender diverse young people in Australia: Patterns, correlates and motivationsThere is a dire paucity of research into the burden, correlates and motives of substance use among trans young people in Australia.