Psychotherapist Hope Rosenberg says rising stress and anxiety are increasingly common among her patients, and that many do not know how to manage them. She has developed One-5 Pops, a lollipop designed to support sensory grounding techniques. The Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Centre says sour lollies can provide a temporary distraction by drawing attention back to the present moment. It also says this is only a temporary tool, and that the root cause of anxiety often needs more intensive treatment. Disability support worker Billie-May Duckworth, 26, says she keeps a lollipop in her bag to help manage restlessness.
Many parents struggle with parenting at times, and not enjoying it is more common than many people admit. Research suggests roughly 5 to 14 per cent of parents regret having children, while up to 29 per cent sometimes regret parenthood. A 2025 survey of 10,000 Australian parents found almost half said tiredness stopped them being the parent they wanted to be. Experts say not enjoying a stage of parenting does not mean a parent loves their child less. Persistent exhaustion, emotional distance or low mood may signal burnout, depression or anxiety, and a GP or health professional can help.
Advice to look after mental health can feel like one more item on an already overwhelming to-do list. The list includes drinking water, exercising, sleeping more, eating well, limiting phone use and connecting with people. The piece argues that mental health is not something people should manage alone.
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Year 12 exams can trigger anxiety, with one in six students experiencing extreme stress. This stress response, involving physical symptoms like increased heart rate and sweating, can impair academic performance. Clinical psychologists suggest challenging negative thoughts, focusing on breathing, and planning the exam to manage anxiety. Mild to moderate stress can actually improve performance, and exercise after the exam can help reduce stress hormones.
Regional workers face higher rates of mental injury claims than their metropolitan counterparts, according to new workers' compensation data from Allianz Insurance. Mental injury claims made up 19 per cent of regional claims, compared with 13 per cent in metro areas. Stress was the leading cause, followed by bullying or harassment and workplace violence. A YouGov survey commissioned by the insurer found more than 700,000 regional workers were considering leaving their jobs within a year. Allianz's Brianna Cattanach said employers need to engage local support services and recognise personal pressures affecting their staff.
