Thursday 14 September is R U OK? Day, a national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that any day is the day to ask, 'are you OK?' and support those struggling with life. Monash University experts are available to discuss mental health and wellbeing issues affecting Australians.
Professor Craig Hassed OAM, Deputy Director, Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies
Contact details: +61 3 9903 4840 or Craig.Hassed@monash.edu
Read more of Professor Hassed’s commentary at Monash Lens
- The importance of relationships and connectedness
- How mindfulness can improve mental health, resilience and physical health
- The importance of a healthy lifestyle for good mental health
- The importance of finding meaning in life for wellbeing.
The following can be attributed to Professor Hassed:
“The modern world is becoming increasingly fast-paced, stressed and distracted. Mindfulness can therefore be looked on as a much needed antidote to modern life.”
Associate Professor Katherine Lawrence, Clinical Psychologist and Lead of the Child, Youth, Family Clinic at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University
Contact details: +61 3 9903 4840 or katherine.lawrence@monash.edu
*Not available 10am - 2pm Thursday 14 September
- Parent's can ask their child or teenager 'R U OK?' without having all the solutions to the young person's problems
- Showing that you are willing to talk about how they feel is just as important as helping them
- The importance of parents looking after themselves. Self-care is essential in being able to care for your child's emotional needs.
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Lawrence:
"Parents are in a terrific position to ask their child or teenager if they 'R OK', but it is also important for us to check that the parents are doing OK too."
Dr Benjamin Tag, Department of Human-Centred Computing, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
Contact: +61 450 501 248 or media@monash.edu
- Digital Emotion Regulation: Digital Technology’s role in our emotional lives
- How technology can help support mental health.
Professor Chris Bain, Professor of Practice in Digital Health, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
Contact: +61 450 501 248 or media@monash.edu
Read more of Professor Bain’s commentary at Monash Lens
- Digital health interventions for mental health
- Improved access through digital health.
Professor Steve Roberts, Professor of Education & Social Justice, Faculty of Education, Monash University
Contact details: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
Read more of Associate Professor Roberts' commentary at Monash Lens
- Boys’ and men’s mental health
- Mental health and masculinity
- Why initiatives like R U OK? Day are so important.
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, please contact the Monash University Media team on +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
