A U S T R A L I A’ S M U S T- H A V E R E S O U R C E F O R R A I S I N G A D O L E S C E N T S
EXPLORINGTEENS WORRIED ABOUT YOUR TEEN'S STATE OF MIND?
WE CAN HELP
TEEN SUICIDE
Taking a new approach
ROMANTIC BREAKUP Help your teen through it
LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS Mums and a teen share their experiences
BEREAVED TEENS Insights from a new study
SELF-POISONING What it means
NEW! STUDENT COVER ILLUSTRATION COMPETITION
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Nov/Dec/Jan 2016/7 Issue 11 $4.95 ISSN 2206-5172
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FROM THE
FROM THE
PUBLISHER
EDITOR
How well do you model self-care and good mental health practices? If you’re anything like me, you do a much better job at caring for others before you care for yourself. This can be problematic for a number of reasons but one area you may not have considered is what this is telling your teens. There was some very interesting research reported in the US in 2014, entitled Stress in America™: Are Teens Adopting Adults’ Stress Habits? Spoiler alert (but of course no surprise) — the results of the research suggested just that. The report explained that ‘examples of healthy stress management may be hard for teens to find’. The study showed that stress levels in adults and teens were remarkably similar, but while 61 per cent of adults agreed that stress management and self-care was very important to them, they also conceded to making very little time for it. 10 per cent flat out said that they just don’t engage in stress management techniques or activities. So, while we are running ourselves ragged focusing on the mental health of our teens, our lack of effort to take care of ourselves could in fact be just as damaging to them. Isn’t that a scary thought? Now this isn’t about parent bashing; remember, I’m in this with you and am just as guilty as a lack of effort regarding self-care, but has it raised your awareness? It's raised mine. So for the sake of yourself and your teens, please consider ways to look after your own mental health. And part of this I also hope, will be to accompany us while we continue… Exploring Teens.
Youth suicide figures have reached a ten-year high — approximately eight children and young people suicide every week in Australia. The ABS statistics reveal that the number of teenage girls who die by suicide has risen dramatically. In 2015, 56 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 ended their lives, up from 38 in 2014 — that is a 45 per cent increase in a one-year period, yet no one seems to know why the numbers are climbing. Raising awareness of the issue is not enough — we need to investigate new ways of dealing with it. In this issue, we interview Dr Fiona Shand about the Lifespan program, which takes a new approach to suicide prevention. Heartbreak is part of growing up, and it comes in various guises. It may be in the death of family members or friends, or it may be a romantic breakup. Professor Jennifer McIntosh has some hands-on advice for dealing with teens suffering a breakup. Helping teens who are grieving is particularly hard as not much is known about the experiences of teenagers who have suffered bereavement through suicide or other causes. Karl Andriessen shares insights from his team’s new study on the subject. Living with a teen suffering from a mental illness can be hell and we want you to know you are not alone. This issue we share some lived experiences with you, from the perspective of two mums and also of a teen. Finally, check out Dr Bridie ScottParker’s article for everything you need to know about car safety.
Mathea
Gillian
NEW! Cover Illustration Competition
IS YOUR TEEN/YOUNG ADULT INTERESTED IN ART/DESIGN? Exploring Teens is excited to introduce a regular competition for the illustration of our cover to profile the skill and talent of young artists. Credit will be attributed to the winner and their profile will be published in that issue of Exploring Teens as well as on the Exploring Teens website. To register interest, please go to the competition page on our website
NOV/DEC/JAN 2016/7 ISSUE 11 Produced and published by Norwest Publishing Pty Ltd Founder/Publisher Mathea Viles ABN 64 167 026 913 PO Box 8149 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Editor Gillian Handley Graphic Design Melissa Kallas Print and distribution by Spotpress Pty Ltd Contributors Dr Jo Abbott, Karl Andriessen, Lynne Allister, Philip Batterham, Dr Erin Bowe, Alison Calear, Nathan Jacobs, Mirelle O’Mara, Nicole Mangura, Dr Bridie Scott-Parker Bri Worker Cover illustration Emma Little is 20 years old and studying full time at UNSW College of art and design, majoring in painting and drawing. Emma is also running her own freelance services for both artworks and graphic design. Thank you to our interviewees: Professor Jennifer McIntosh and Dr Fiona Shand Subscriptions Subscribe online at the Exploring Teens website www.exploringteens.com.au
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Editorial (including Letters to the Editor) editorial@exploringteens.com.au Advertising advertising@exploringteens.com.au Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in Exploring Teens are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial staff. Exploring Teens provides general information that cannot be regarded as a substitute for any form of professional advice. The accuracy of website addresses cannot be guaranteed at the time of publishing. No part of Exploring Teens can be reproduced in whole or part without the express permission of the publisher.
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YOUR SAY
This is what some of our readers had to say: As a parent and existing subscriber I highly recommend a subscription to other parents of teens. The magazine and support community are a great resource to help navigate through the issues that face teens today, many of which didn't exist when we were teens ourselves. Simon Can't recommend this magazine enough. Bronwyn Exploring Teens is a great, informative, fun and interesting magazine. Having subscribed for a while, now I'm embracing the teen years with love and humour. Sharon Great resource—always well researched. And an active discussion group on FB! Kaye This is a great resource for parents of teens! If you haven't already, subscribe today! Ingrid Bass Love this magazine with both digital and print options, and a wide range of articles suited to raising girls and boys Fiona
IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP: ¡¡ Lifeline on 13 11 14 ¡¡ Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 ¡¡ Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 ¡¡ Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 ¡¡ Headspace on 1800 650 890
CONTENTS
This month we explore mental health
FEATURES
REGULARS
Our ‘Exploring’ features provide depth and insight into issues affecting parents and teens.
5 Have You Heard?
Exploring Mental Health
6 Suicide in Teens The number of teenage suicides is at a ten-year high. It’s time to take a new approach to this tragic issue. 8 What can Parents do about their Teenagers’ Mental Health How do you identify an at-risk teenager? 9 Is Online Therapy as Good as Talking Face-to-face with a Clinician? Dr Jo Abbott explores the benefits and downsides of technology-delivered care. 11 Life with Social Anxiety Disorder A parent’s view. 16 Depression: A Teen’s Story A teen’s experience offers hope. 17 Depression: A Mother’s Story A mum shares the heartbreak of her son’s depression. 20 Understanding Self-Poisoning Dr Erin Bowe sheds light on this alarming behaviour.
Exploring Relationships
14 Supporting Your Teen through a Breakup Professor Jennifer McIntosh has some invaluable hands-on advice
Exploring Grief
18 Grief in Adolescents A new study examines the experiences of adolescents bereaved by suicide and other causes of death.
Exploring Driving 22 Road Safety for Your Teen — Which Car and Why Dr Bridie Scott-Parker has great advice for keeping our teens safe on the road.
4 EXPLORINGTEENS NOVEMBER 2016 – JANUARY 2017 | ISSUE 11
12 Your Teen’s World Life with Teens
24 Getting Ready for School 24 ReachOut Parents
Exploring Gaming
25 What are they Playing? Nathan Jacobs reviews some popular games using his exclusive parent-friendly rating system
Exploring Books
26 What are they Reading? Reviews you can use for an exciting selection of books for teens
Exploring the Marketplace 27 Fashion Can Empower Teens 28 Where has my Space Gone? 29 How do I Organise and Style my Space? 30 Teen Holiday Camps 31 Services Directory Some great services for teens and parents 32 What can they Do? Get your teen up and doing. 33 What can they Use? Our pick of products to suit the most demanding teen 33 Helping Teens Find Inner Confidence 34 What do Bull Elephants and 14-year-old Boys Have in Common? Explaining the role of mentors for young males 35 NEW! Gift subscriptions
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