8:30am - Registrations Open
9.00am - Reducing the Adult/Adolescent Divide
This interesting introductory session looks at some of the contemporary issues that cause barriers between adults and adolescents in today’s society. It includes:
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A look at the causes of indifference and disengagement in young people.
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How to assist teenagers to move from the mindset; “It’s all about me” to “It’s all about us”.- Clarifying who wants what ... and when.
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Bridging the gap - setting and reinforcing healthy boundaries.
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Useful and informative and/or supportive information and resources.
10.00am - Scenario
Presentation of a case scenario to illustrate key issues when interacting with or counselling difficult behaviours and disengaged teens. This session includes time for questions and comments.
10.30am - Morning Tea and Coffee
11.00am - Families in Transition and Adolescent Responses
Each year in Australia, there are over 51,000 divorces. This interesting session will explore what this means in terms of impact on family members. It includes:
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What are the losses and emotions endured by adolescents when parents separate/divorce?
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Further concerns that emerge in blended families.
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Practical tips for supporting and assisting young people during these difficult life transitions.
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What is family therapy and when might it be indicated?
12.30pm - Lunch Break
1.30pm - Drugs and their Demons
A look at modern drug use in adolescents including:
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What are the key factors in the development of drug dependency in adolescents?
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Which types of legal or illegal drugs are most commonly used?
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The impact of drug addictions on the lives of young people, e.g. school performance.
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How to recognise levels of substance-dependant behaviours?
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If you suspect a young person is addicted to alcohol or other drugs, what should you do?
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Can addictive behaviours be cured?
2.50pm - So Little, So Fast … So Delightful!
An exploration of the trends, dangers and lifestyle issues surrounding the practice of ‘chroming’ and sniffing potent substances.
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What are the deleterious physical and emotional repercussions of ‘sniffing’ potent substances?
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Why do some teenagers engage in these behaviours and who is most at risk?
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What are key issues in the debate about supervised ‘chroming’ for solvent/paint inhalation?
3.00pm - Afternoon Tea and Coffee
3.30pm - Alcohol and Inconvenient Truths
Alcohol continues to be a substance that is abused by teenagers despite the fact that it has serious health and social consequences. In this interesting final session of day one you will learn about:
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Peer pressure, teenage rebelliousness and other reasons why young people drink to excess.
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Research findings on gender differences in drinking habits.
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Comments on the dangers of under-age drinking, spiked drinks and sexual vulnerability.
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Alcoholics Anonymous / Narcotics Anonymous and similar programs.
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Zero tolerance or harm reduction: is Australia’s tough position toward drug misuse the best policy choice?
4.15pm - Close of Day One of Program
9:00am - Start of Day Two
9.00am - Lord of the Fries – The Risks of Obesity
A quarter of Australian children and adolescents are overweight or obese – a problem that threatens health, longevity and quality of life. In this interesting session we will look at a range of problems that relate to inappropriate diet and which can have a profound impact on adolescent self esteem and the progression to adulthood - obesity.
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What are the causes of this alarming increase in childhood obesity what are the health risks?
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Has research revealed workable strategies for reversing this risky trend?
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When might lap-band surgery (or similar bariatric procedures) be indicated for overweight adolescents?
10.30am - Morning tea break
11.00am - Teenagers Who Self-Harm
Self-harm is a common health problem for young people. About 25,000 Australians are admitted to hospital each year because of self-harm. Two out of three emergency appointments to child and youth health services are because of self-harm. Source: M.Strickland, 2006.
The theme of this session is to consider a range of concerns surrounding the use of intentional harm perpetrated by a teenager on themselves. It will debate the following topics:
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Self-harm – why, when, how?
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What can be done to assist these young people?
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Practical approaches and resource information for concerned professionals.
12.30pm - Lunch Break
1.30pm - The Day My Mind Went Psycho!
Occasionally, an adolescent has a more serious problem and is at risk of developing a mental illness. In this session you will learn about a range of behaviours that may cause concern.
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How to identify the differences between eccentric, controversial and mentally unbalanced behaviours, thought processes and emotions.
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Summary of the types of mental illnesses where disengagement and disinterest are marked features.
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What to do if you suspect that a teenager is at risk of developing a psychiatric condition.
2.00pm - When Their Get Up and Go has Got Up and Gone
The transition from childhood to adulthood is a difficult journey. The adjustment can be traumatic for some young people. Depression effects people of all ages and teenagers are not immune from this condition.
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Which teenagers are most at risk of developing clinical depression?
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What can be done to prevent this happening?
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What is the difference between grief and depression?
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Summary of types of depression and causes.
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How effective are treatment programs?
3.00pm - Afternoon Tea and Coffee
3.30pm - Suicide Risk and Young People
The last 30 years have seen an unprecedented rise in the suicides of those aged 16 – 24 years of age in Australia.
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Besides depression, what are the sources of suicidal ideas?
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What to do if you suspect a young person is planning to take his or her own life.
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What practical approaches can you take in the management of suicidal behaviours?
4.00pm - Reflect and Review on the Sessions and Time for Questions
4.15pm - Close of Program and Evaluations
Robin PurvisSocial Worker in private practice who is accredited as a Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers and the Australian College of Applied Psychology. In addition to counselling, her services include family and personal mediation. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents regarding their developmental adjustments, loss, learning and behavioural difficulties.
Clinton KempnichDeputy Director of Education, Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre (QADREC) in The University of Queensland, School of Population Health. One of the responsibilities of this role is to manage the QADREC Seminar Series, which delivers up-to-date information on drug and alcohol issues. Clinton is also involved in coordinating and teaching in the Addiction Studies program.
Dr. Robyn LittlewoodDietitian and Director of the Children’s Health Services, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. She has a special interest in the management and prevention of obesity in children and adolescents.
Colleen ReidRegistered general nurse and mental health nurse who has extensive experience in clinical psychiatry and teaching. Currently, Colleen is employed as a community mental health nurse and in private practice as a freelance mental health nurse educator. Colleen’s teaching experience in facilitating seminars and workshops is held in high regard.
