Two in five. That’s how many young Australians between the ages of 16 and 24 have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months (ABS, 2022). Let that sink in. Think of your closest five mates. Odds are that two of them are suffering right now from a crippling mental illness.
According to recent studies conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia is witnessing an unprecedented rise in mental health issues among its youth, leaving them vulnerable and struggling (Headspace, 2020).
While countless strategies have been explored, one often-overlooked factor holds immense potential to address this crisis: sleep. Sleep is the simple solution to the complex beast of mental issues silently devouring the youth of this nation.
The youth mental health crisis is a new pandemic sweeping the globe – and while Australia was one of the lucky ones in the case of COVID, our country is ground zero for the new plague infecting our youths’ minds.
In today's fast-paced and hyperconnected world, the relentless pressures of academic expectations, social interactions, and uncertain futures have created a perfect storm for deteriorating mental well-being. The consequences are debilitating disorders that impair teen’s ability to thrive in school, relationships, and everyday life.
Studies from renowned mental health organisations have pulled the curtain on the crisis, revealing that almost one-fifth of all young people aged 11 to 17 years experience high or very high levels of psychological distress (Beyond Blue, 2021). Shockingly, suicide remains the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24 (Black Dog Institute, 2022), highlighting the magnitude of the situation.
Beating the beast of mental health is crucial, as the future of our country hangs in the balance. This crisis is tearing Australia apart at the seams, and desperate measures must be taken to alleviate youths’ suffering and secure a brighter future for Australia's young minds.
Although this seems like an infinitely complex problem, the solution is surprising simple – sleep.
Sufficient and quality sleep, among limitless other benefits, allows the brain to recharge and enhances cognitive function. These benefits are vital to achieving success as a student, boosting performance in every aspect of life – from the classroom to the sporting field.
Countless studies and experts have highlighted the critical connection between sleep and mental health in young people. Dr. Sarah Bell-Booth, a sleep and mental health psychologist, emphasises that inadequate sleep disrupts emotional regulation and impairs decision-making abilities, leading to heightened vulnerability to mental health issues (Bell-Booth, 2017).
By recognising sleep as an essential ingredient in the recipe for well-being and taking steps to promote healthy sleep habits, we can empower our youth to navigate the challenges they face with resilience and strength.
We must awaken to the power of sleep in order to make the dreams of a mentally healthy Australia a reality.
So, is there one thing you can do every day to ensure a better life for yourself? Yeah, keep dreaming.
By Jack Barwick, Year 9 TGS student
List of References:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2020-21). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-21.
- Bell-Booth, S. (2017, March 25). Sleep & Your Mental Health. Retrieved June 01, 2023 from https://www.drsarahbellbooth.com/single-post/2017/03/25/sleep-your-mental-health
- General Statistics. (2021). Beyond Blue. Retrieved June 01, 2023 from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/media/statistics
- Suicide Prevention. (2022, March 07). Black Dog Institute. Retrieved June 01, 2023 from https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/research-areas/suicide-prevention/
- Youth Mental Health Factsheet. (2022). Headspace. Retrieved June 01, 2023 from https://headspace.org.au/professionals-and-educators/educators/resources/research-and-evaluation/
Latest Blog
Disappointment: A Necessary Part of School Life
Schools are inherently hopeful and happy places. Their natural focus on growth, connectedness and preparing youth for a better future creates an optimistic atmosphere in which ambitions are born. These positive emotions and experiences lay the foundation for our expectations and while these can be highly motivating, they come with a catch: the greater our expectations, the greater the disappointments, too. Disappointment is not a popular feeling. Rightly so, not many of us wish to feel sad,…
Boys and Belonging at TGS
As a boarding master of adolescent boys, my role fundamentally concerns pastoral wellbeing and character development to support a successful academic journey. A positive sense of belonging — where boarders feel safe, supported and heard — is fundamental to an effective boarding environment. As such, I felt there was a distinct connection between the International Boys’ Schools Coalition’s (IBSC) theme for the 2024–25 Action Research Cohort, “Boys and Belonging” and what I believe is best…
Fostering Growth and Resilience
This philosophy is vividly demonstrated through our Junior School MATES program, an initiative designed to equip boys from Prep to Year 6 with the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Year 6 leader Hugo Seaby epitomises what the program is all about. As a leader in Stephens House, he explains its importance: “It’s about spending time with the younger boys and learning about honesty, respect, kindness and other attributes like that.” He said that it’s helpful for the…
Preparing for the Future of Work
For months I have been watching the earthworks being undertaken ahead of construction for the new DET Centre at Toowoomba Grammar School with interest. It is hard to miss, given that the Headmaster’s residence, our family home, is right next to the building site. The vibrations can be unsettling, and the noises are constant. However, each day reminds me of the important work underway to secure a part of the School’s future. Soon, all boys at TGS will have the opportunity to immerse themselves…
“Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families. After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by…
Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks
In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
Nurturing the Seeds of Leadership
Early exposure to leadership roles helps children develop character traits such as responsibility, empathy, resilience and integrity. As a School, we provide the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership skills in our young boys. From the formative years in Prep through to the adolescent years of Year 6, the importance of fostering leadership qualities cannot be overstated. In our modern world, where adaptability, resilience and initiative are regarded as quality attributes, nurturing the…
