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
It Takes a Village...
The Toowoomba Grammar School Boarding community plays a pivotal role in shaping the young minds of our boarders and instilling values whilst creating a sense of mateship that can last a lifetime. The nurturing and supportive network of staff not only ensure a safe and structured environment but also cultivates a sense of belonging and camaraderie among the boys. ‘The staff supply the fuel to the ship but ultimately it is the boys who steer it and decide upon its final destination’. Our TGS…
Unlocking Literacy - The Big Six Elements for Your Child’s Reading Success
Literacy skills are a core component of each day for our students, and parents often ask how they can support this from home. I am delighted to share with our parent community the essential components that underpin successful reading development. These elements, known as the Big Six, provide a solid foundation for your son’s literacy journey. These critical building blocks include: Oral Language: Communication skills are the bedrock of reading. Encourage rich conversations with your child.…
The Journey of a Boarding Mother
When you look up mother in the dictionary it reads: female parent of a child. When you look up boarder, it simply reads: a child who lives away from home. So, put “boarder mother” together and we have: the female parent of a child who lives away from home – if only it were that simple. My definition of boarding mother is: a strong, dedicated unbelievably great female parent of a child who has the wisdom to put her son’s educational needs, wellbeing and lifelong endeavours before her own. A…
The Importance of Differentiation
As parents, we all want our children to have the best possible education, and one of the most effective ways for teachers to provide this is through differentiation. Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs and interests of each student, and it can take many forms. First, let's define differentiation. Differentiation is a teaching approach that recognises that students have different strengths, interests, and learning styles. By adjusting instruction to meet these…
Addressing Anger in Teenage Boys
As a community dedicated to the growth and well-being of our teenage boys, it is essential to address the complexities of emotions we experience during adolescence. Among these emotions, anger stands out as a powerful and intense feeling that can influence their behaviour, relationships and overall wellbeing. Untreated anger can lead to a myriad of problems and challenges for our young boys. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the dangers of untreated anger, ways to support healthy…
Study Skills Program
Just as teachers benefit from an understanding of the Learning Sciences in their lesson planning and preparation, so to do students when they are studying for major summative assessments. A survey of TGS students in Years 9 to 12 found that 70% of our boys felt that they knew how to study, with the biggest impediments to study being lack of motivation and too many distractions. The most highly preferred study technique was found to be rewriting notes. Cramming, rereading the text and rewriting…
Developing Teachers Worldwide
I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2023 International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference at Westlake Boys High School in Auckland, New Zealand, in my capacity as a Team Leader in the IBSC Action Research Program. Action research is a systematic inquiry conducted by teachers in their own classroom to better understand the impact that an aspect of their practice is having on their students. Each year, 40 teachers from IBSC member schools from around the world are accepted…
Developing a Sense of Belonging for our TGS Boarders
How do we adequately develop a teenager’s 'sense of belonging' in boarding? Head of Boyce House, Boarding, Mr Michael Hall has investigated how 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' applies to boarding. It is a psychological theory that suggests human beings have a set of fundamental needs that must be fulfilled in a hierarchical order. The theory proposes that individuals must first satisfy their physiological needs before moving on to higher-level needs, such as the 'belongingness' that is so…
Kia Moemoeā – Dream Beyond Limits
A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools. This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day…
