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Data shows children anxiety spike in COVID crisis
University of Southern Queensland researchers have seen a sharp increase in the number of young people seeking help for anxiety since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Psychologist Professor Sonja March said two to four times more children and adolescents had signed up for the BRAVE Program, an online platform to help manage anxiety, since the pandemic started. “Much of this increase seems to be coming from school-based referrals,” she said.
A community response to suicide
In a ground-breaking report to the Prime Minister's first National Suicide Prevention Advisor, released yesterday, UNE Professor in Social Work Myfanwy Maple and her fellow researchers have highlighted major shortfalls in existing health-care provision and the importance of future policy being informed by lived experiences of suicide.
Researchers up for science and technology awards
A University of Southern Queensland child psychologist and plant pathologist have been announced as finalists in the 2020 annual Women in Technology (WiT) Awards. Professor Sonja March (School of Psychology and Counselling / Centre for Health Research) and Dr Niloofar Vaghefi (Centre for Crop Health) are among 44 outstanding women recognised through the program in 2020. WiT is one of Queensland's most respected technology industry associations, supporting and promoting the achievements of women in science and technology industries.
Animated assessment app to screen children for mental health
Children as young as five could soon be able to access a new online assessment tool that aims to recognise potential mental health problems. The web-based app developed at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) allows children to identify emotional and behavioural difficulties they might be experiencing so that families, educators and health professionals can provide early assistance.