I was thirteen years old and the infec­tious beat of “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” was thumping hard from the chunky speakers on each side of the DJ.

It was an ordinary day in the palliative care section of the nursing home and as usual, a semi-circle of silver haired ladies and gentlemen resided in the communal area watching TV. A music concert began streaming on one of the channels and like the flick of a switch, a sudden wave of commotion swept through the scene.

She’s a sought-after project manager and he’s a passionate stay-at-home dad. The woman tells me they have a good marriage and love their young children. Financially, the couple are well off, en­joy various hobbies, and have seemingly meaningful friendships. Despite being happy on paper, she’s grown increas­ingly irritable and easily agitated, and it’s affecting her relationship. “It’s as though I’m brimming with rage,” she tells me, and adds, “It can be over the smallest of issues. Sometimes I get so fix­ated on things; it’s hard to let them go.” With desperation in her eyes, she asks, “Is it perimenopause? I think I may have ADHD or OCD?” Before I have the chance to respond, she interjects with, “Maybe it’s anxiety or depression? I need to know so I can fix it.”

As psychological distress rises, CEO of Lifeline Tasmania, Liz Brown shares how you can help help raise awareness for better mental health for all Australians

“I hate thinking about it, yet it con­sumes every hour of my day. I’ve taken the prescribed medication, followed recommended treatments, and although the tests always come back negative, the discomfort I feel in my gut remains inconsistent and unpredictable. It’s caused me so much anxiety over the years, and lately I’m finding it harder to manage. Some days I don’t want to leave the house. I’m fed up with this and don’t know what else to do.”

The demented man appears like his old self again, spritelier and more coherent. He requests a pack of Lucky Strike ciga­rettes, those he smoked the same day news of Jimi Hendrix’s death spread around the world.

The warm, pink Balinese sky was the backdrop for lotus flowers that were gently floating in the poolside bar. No phones, emails, or kids, everything was perfect and here on retreat, the couple felt deeply connected.

Tasmanians and our economy continue to miss out on the social and economic benefits of using digital technologies effectively, because they can’t access, can’t afford or don’t have the necessary skills to navigate the online world.

There’s a hidden secret that has been yours since the day you were born. Your tender heart was meant to be reminded of it daily.

Do you remember what it was like to find ‘the one’? When you’d be walking through the quiet aisles of a library, surrounded by towering shelves housing hundreds of books, and there’d be a tingle of anticipation as you curiously searched for the perfect match.

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.”

As children were playing and adults were happily chatting away, I found myself in conversation with Linda, a beautiful woman in her 70s. We were exchanging pleasantries and talking about life in Southern Tasmania. We got onto the topic of gardening and our shared appreciation for all things cultivating, planting, weeding, and everything in between.

There’s a story about an American sport shoe company who decades ago sought to expand their international presence. They were about to increase production for one of their prototypes and dreamt of becoming a world leading brand.

He sits there, engrossed in what he’s doing. He’s trying to figure out how to balance the objects he has before him and stack them high towards the ceiling. I predict that in about 10 seconds, he’s going to be disappointed because what he’s attempting to do won’t work. His spatial awareness at three years of age isn’t sophisticated, so I find myself saying, “Here, I’ll show you.” But my son wants to do it all by himself. “No, mum, not like that,” he asserts. I’m anticipating the structure to collapse but to my surprise, it doesn’t. He does it his way and it works.

How would you respond if you were taking medication, feeling that it was helping, to then learn that when clinical trials were undertaken to gain its approval, the effects of the drug didn’t outperform that of a sugar pill?

You’re sitting at your favourite café having a chat with a dear friend. The two of you are talking openly about all the struggles you’ve been experiencing – the stress, the let downs and the overwhelm.

Boobs, tits, honkers, jugs, coconuts-terms for these life-giving and uniquely wondrous parts of our bodies are plenty.

I have a dream. Years from now when my toddler is hanging out with his friends, his attention will be drawn by the skies and the tide. While everyone is standing there, occupied with their iPhones (which by then will likely be iBrainchips!), he’ll say, “Check it out, to the south! It’s the fastest living animal on earth, reaching speeds of up to 300kms when diving for its prey. Witness the great and wise Peregrine Falcon.”

You can feel it. That sudden flush of burning heat rushing through your body. Your muscles stiffen, your eyes widen, and your hands tighten their grip on the wheel. That damn driver just cut you off! Before you know it, every profanity under the sun comes out of your mouth and your hands emphatically gesture towards the sky.

Back in the day, I couldn’t get enough. With every spritz, it simultaneously invigorated a sense of optimism and evoked an experience that was sultry and haunting.

(A conversation between two people doing their best to live a good life). “I don’t want to be seen as a nag by my partner,” she admitted. “We haven’t been connecting well of late so I know it will just make things worse. It’s easier if I don’t bring it up. It’s fine. I’ll just figure it out.”

They took a baby boy into the laboratory and exposed him to various objects. The psychologist and his colleague showed the 9-month-old a white rat, a monkey, a rabbit, different types of masks, and even lit a newspaper on fire to observe the baby’s reaction.

Can you relate to this? After a busy period of go-go-go, you finally have the chance to rest, be it at home or away on holiday but as soon as you’re able to switch off and relax, you feel it coming on – scratchy throat, a subtle headache, and a noticeably flat mood. “Oh great,” you grunt to yourself, “I’m getting sick.”

“Everyone who drives a Mercedes is a snob. People who own multiple houses are greedy. And those who spend a lot of money are selfish.”

When your dad’s sperm lovingly collided with your mum’s egg, there was a surge of energetic activity. You started as one cell. During round 260 of cell division, differentiation occurred. A powerful force instructed each cell to migrate to a 3D map and become the cell of a specific organ. Science can’t pinpoint the precise location of this instructional intelligence that enabled you to bloom into who you are, but we are beginning to understand more about the importance of biodiversity and its role in personalising our wellbeing.

A wise woman lives in the deep south, close to the sea. It is said that she is blessed by the Gods and that her words are passed on from generation to generation. People from all over the world seek her knowledge.

He didn’t pack much. It was only a short hike. Two burritos, some chocolate, and a few bottles of water. But caught under the weight of a 350kg boulder that had dislodged and trapped him for 5 days, the flesh of his right arm began to rot. Oscillating between delirium and death, Aron Ralston recorded goodbye videos to his family and friends and carved his name on the sandstone wall of the canyon.

For the first month after giving birth, women from some Eastern cultures undertake a practice that has been honoured for thousands of years.

Plutarch, the ancient Greek Scholar, tells the story of a battle between the Persians and Medes.

There’s a scene from a movie in which a woman is crying in the back of a taxi. The character has just realised that she means nothing to the man she thought she loved. The driver notices her tears and begins telling her about his life in India. He encourages her to try a helpful practice. Not in the mood to engage, she reluctantly asks what it is. He answers,

For some people, the idea of a ‘do-over’ on January 1 is useful. But for the rest of us, New Year’s Resolutions are just another way to set ourselves up for disappointment.

The feeling can be crushing. That sudden, stinging sadness that engulfs your heart and reverberates through your chest to the pit of your stomach.

Clinical psychologist Dr David Bakker suggests how parents can support their kids through the challenging teenage years (and it’s not by fixing their problems).

Five years ago, I walked from Hobart to Launceston. I was aching. My mum had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and I felt compelled to do something to heal the years of witness­ing her decline. My friend Lee thought I was crazy but I knew she believed in me. No matter the weather (and it sure was cold as it was the middle of winter!), she checked in on me daily, sending me messages to see if I was okay. One evening, perhaps sensing my exhaustion, she made the drive from Hobart to Ross and back just to have dinner with me . . . and bring a pair of fresh, dry socks.

At a yoga teacher training course in India, we were presented with an image of three yoga practitioners, all sitting cross legged with their eyes closed and hands in prayer position. We were asked to identify the most obviously experienced yogi. The first was a stocky man in his 30s, wearing a designer business suit, looking self-righteous, with money hanging out of his pockets. The second was a fit looking woman in her 40s wearing colourful active wear, hair in a ponytail and a smile on her face. The third was a Hindu man in his late 60s. His body was lean, his head covered in thick, long white hair and there was cloth affixed to his waist with rope. He too was smiling and looked tranquil in the meditative posture. The most experienced yogi? “The Hindu man,” we answered in unison.

On that morning many years ago, I woke feeling particularly sorry for myself. With crutches under my arms for the third time and my throbbing, swollen ankle, I treated myself to breakfast at Straight Up.

Young, beautiful people are happier. They glisten in the sun and embody freedom and vitality. Want to be like them? You need thick, shiny hair, porcelain-white teeth an blemish-free, supple skin. Wrinkles and freckles are disgusting, and any age spots should be covered with make-up or lasered so as to not offend. Noticeably, breasts should always be perky. Nipples should remain small, pink and round, and as for vaginas, penises, and the shade of your perineum? Anything less than perfection is undesirable. As we know, ageing bodies are unattractive but thanks to ingenious anti-aging technological advancements, don’t fret. You too can achieve your desired look and start living a life of success.

Are you ready for a dose of truth?

With the cooler weather, that soft, golden hue glazing over kunanyi in the afternoon, and the red and brown leaves falling from deciduous trees that line the streets of Hobart, there’s something special about the arrival of Autumn.

I remember some time ago I was sitting with friends at a waterside establishment.

The statistics in the Primary Health Network Needs Assessment Report (2019 – 2022) told a worrying tale. It’s noted that an estimated 15% of Tasmanian adults self-reported a mental health problem. In real terms, that is over 81,000 residents.

There’s a story about a group of scientists who travelled to Nepal scanning the brains of monks to better understand the secrets of the mind, equanimity, and resilience.

Being heavily pregnant with my belly in full bloom, I’m often asked, “So, have you got everything ready?”

Ah Spring – the season of new begin­nings. Flowers blooming, lighter days, and a general sense that the earth is coming alive again. A time when we feel energised and motivated to clear out the cobwebs and commence new projects. But often, we overlook the most important spring clean – our mindset.

We live in a world where everything is so messed up and upside down, sometimes I wonder how we get through each day.

How to genuinely celebrate other people’s wins.

I was 19 when my dad died. After some months passed, I put on a CD he had made and hearing his voice again, I fell apart. The sound of him singing did something to me and to this day, when I play his songs, it creates an experience more powerful than looking at pictures of his face.

“Annia, I’ve lost my motivation.” Go on, I say listening intently. “Well, I feel as though I once had oomph, more get up and go, you know? These days, everything feels as though it’s too much effort. And what’s worse is that I know what I should be doing to get out of this funk, but I can’t find the motivation to do it. Inevitably, I end up procrastinating further, which robs me of any motivation I may have had left in the first place! And so the cycle goes.”

Tasmanian author and psychologist Steve Biddulph has sold over three million books and is now celebrating the release of his latest book, Fully Human, a distil­lation of his 40 years as a therapist.

Imagine getting everything you ever wanted, anytime you wanted it – instantly. How amazing would that be? Keen on a successful career? No need to climb the ladder, you’re handed the keys to the executive office. A desire to travel the world again? “Welcome aboard.” Suddenly you’re greeted at the terminal with a glass of champagne. Seeking the man or woman of your dreams? Well don’t you worry, they’re waiting for you right behind door number one. House, car, money, possessions, weight loss, entertainment? Whatever you want, it’s yours the moment you want it. No need to work for it. No need to try. Your reward is more instant than downloading an app.

You don’t need a psychologist to tell you that your nervous system is one of the most extraordinarily complex, sensitive, and intelligent structures in the Universe.