Resources

Panic attacks are common--around 40% of Aussies will experience them at some point in their lives. Panic attacks include symptoms like a sense of overwhelming fear, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, and feeling like you are dying or going mad. For some people, panic attacks can become chronic--known as panic disorder, which…

No one likes being criticised or rejected, but some of us are more sensitive to the perception of social disapproval or failure. Here's how rejection sensitivity can trap us in a vicious cycle, and some tips for how to escape it. Criticism and rejection always hurt, but some of us feel that hurt far…

Despite being one of the most connected generations in history, research shows that Gen Z is also the loneliest. Yet loneliness is less about solitude than it is about an absence of emotional connection. You can have many "friends" but still feel lonely. Social media and online interactions allow us to feel connected to people despite not actually knowing…

Wars, cost of living crises, extreme weather events, pandemics, terror attacks, and more fill our news headlines, creating stress and anxiety. How can we feel at ease in such an uncertain world?   Many people report feeling that the last few years in particular have been especially difficult for them.  In fact, social scientists have…

Collective trauma occurs when a shared traumatic event impacts a larger group psychologically, emotionally, and socially. Collective trauma events include pandemics, intergenerational trauma, genocides, natural disasters, terror attacks, and systemic racism or oppression.    Collective trauma can impact how a larger group or society operates. Common effects include: more widespread grief, fear, and anxiety…

75% of Aussies have experienced a traumatic event in their lives, putting many of us at risk of developing a mental health condition. Research suggests that more than half of Aussies (59%) experienced at least one personal stressor in the past twelve months. Persistent stress can lead to long-term physical and mental health symptoms, and in…

Is your inner voice or self-talk compassionate, kind, and encouraging, or does it sound like a bully at times? You may be hearing your inner critic. How we speak to ourselves, even in the privacy of our thoughts, plays an enormous part in determining our mental state and health. No one talks to you more…

While it's good to stay informed on news and social media, the proliferation of information in the modern world can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here's our top tips for switching off from news and media. Most Aussies consume some form of news and media, with a sizeable percentage of us getting our news from social media. But…

Intimacy, both emotional and physical, is an essential factor in the overall health of a relationship.  Cultivating intimacy is important for improving connection and communication, creating a safe space for both partners, fostering trust, improving health (mental and physical) for each party, and helping partners to feel valued and accepted. There are different types of intimacy--not just…

September 11 this year is R U OK? Day. Perhaps you've noticed a loved one struggling recently. But how do you have a conversation that can change a life? Mental health conditions will affect around 45% of Aussies at some point in their life, and affect 1 in 5 Aussies every year. Chances are, someone you know…

Have you ever wondered whether your decisions are truly your own—or shaped by deep, unconscious ties to your family? In Unconscious Family Loyalties, our couples counsellor and clinical psychologist Dr. Hugo Gonzales explores how invisible expectations and roles passed down through generations can quietly dictate our choices and relationships. With warmth and clinical insight, Hugo offers practical tools for…

While humans are social creatures who thrive in networks of healthy relationships, the "loneliness epidemic" threatens to undermine this. Yet meaningful connnections are critical in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing. One in five Aussies report feeling lonely. Loneliness affects people of all ages, but especially youth and older adults, those with disabilities, and refugees and migrants.…