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 more

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 more

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 more

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 more

The 15 Most Common Mistakes that Ruin Romance

It’s Valentines Day again and many singles are feeling the pinch of loneliness and wondering: How did I get here? As a single 40 year old woman, I can tell you exactly how I got here and why I’m content to stay single for the foreseeable future. But if you are looking for a partner, hold on to your hat because we’ve got one ‘big light-bulb moment on relationships’ that you haven’t seen on Oprah.

These days work is a priority and I’ll be the first to admit there is no room in my life for a partner. But back when I was actively looking for love, what use to annoy me most about the singles scene was the number of men I would meet who were single but not available. Read more

Courageous Business Coach Loses her Hearing but Keeps on Working

Imagine waking up one morning unable to hear anything but the sound of ringing in your ears. For starters, most of us would probably take the day off work to consult a doctor. But for dedicated Business Coach, Michele Alexander (pictured), leaving her clients in the lurch wasn’t an option. Michele went into the office and got down to business, providing coaching for five of her clients before finally consulting a doctor about her sudden hearing loss.

“It was a complete blur,” said Michele. “How I coached five clients, I do not remember, but I did! I think what helped was every session was face-to-face in a small office environment with no surrounding noise, and I could already lip read really well.” Read more

UNIFEM Launches Appeal to Help the Women of Haiti

UNIFEM is working to raise 2 million dollars to rebuild women’s shelters and expand emergency services for women and their families in Haiti. Imagine you’re a victim of domestic violence in Haiti and before the earthquake on 12 January 2010, you and your children were safe in one of Haiti’s women’s shelters. You were working to rebuild your life and then suddenly, the shelter and so much else has been ripped away.
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Professor Patrick McGorry named Australian of the Year 2010

Victorian youth mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry (pictured), has been named Australian of the Year for 2010. Professor McGorry was presented with the award by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and National Australia Day Council Chairman Adam Gilchrist, on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra this evening.

Western Australia’s Trooper Mark Donaldson VC was named Young Australian of the Year 2010, South Australian cook and restaurateur Maggie Beer was named Senior Australian of the Year 2010 and NSW food rescuer Ronni Kahn, was named Australia’s Local Hero 2010. Read more

Australian Women Online at the Australian Open in Melbourne

The 21st January 2010 was ANZ Ladies Day at the Australian Open Tennis Championships and Australian Women Online was there to check out all the action both on and off the court at Melbourne Park. It was a first for Australian Women Online, coming out from behind our computer screens to attend an event in the harsh light of day and for me at least, being literally burned by the sun.

Maintaining a website or an online business can be a lonely life, spending every waking moment gawking at a computer screen and interacting with people who are known only to you by a username or website address. I’m passionate about what I do, but I really needed to get out more and what better way to reintroduce myself to the offline world, than at a major international sporting event. Read more

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