SHANE​ WARREN

Generative AI has drifted, quietly but decisively, into the mental health ecosystem. It is no longer a hypothetical adjunct. It is a lived behaviour. Population studies now show that a meaningful proportion of adolescents and young adults use AI chatbots for mental health advice, often monthly, and most report that the advice “helps.” Professional bodies are sufficiently concerned that formal advisories now warn the public about safety, evidence gaps, and the risk of harm, pa

I’ve been noticing something lately, and I’m trying to name it without turning into the cranky guy yelling at clouds. It’s this… vibe. A kind of social theatre that plays out in comment sections, on talkback, at family dinners, in workplace kitchens. The place where someone says, “I’m just asking questions,” but it doesn’t feel like a question. It feels like a door gently closing.

There’s a name for this weird little void we tumble into every year, that space between Christmas and New Year’s Eve when time stops making sense, calories stop counting, and the line between “afternoon nap” and “existential crisis” gets deliciously blurry. It’s called Gooch Week.

Freedom of speech… or freedom to be a nuisance with a microphone?

As we roll into the end-of-year season - family dinners, office parties, group catch-ups, and those “let’s do this every year!” barbecues - there’s always that one person.

Emotional resilience is like a muscle. The more you work on it, the stronger it gets. When you develop emotional strength, you’re better equipped to handle stress, recover from disappointments, and maintain a positive outlook even when things get tough. This doesn’t mean you won’t feel upset or overwhelmed sometimes. It means you’ll have the tools to manage those feelings and keep moving forward.

When I first started exploring clinical therapy supervision in Melbourne, I quickly realised it’s not just a box to tick. It’s a vital part of growing as a professional and maintaining emotional resilience. Whether you’re a therapist, counsellor, or mental health worker, clinical supervision offers a safe space to reflect, learn, and improve your practice. Let me walk you through what makes clinical supervision so valuable and how you can make the most of it.

Apparently, the left is destroying society, undermining values, and eroding freedoms. And yet, here’s the inconvenient truth, much of what we call freedoms and values today were delivered precisely because the left fought tooth and nail for them.

What fascinates me and frankly disturbs me, is not whether guns are deadly. That is obvious. The real question is: why are guns clutched so tightly in the American psyche? Why, even after classrooms are turned into morgues, does the national conversation erupt in rage instead of reason? Why do so many cling to the “right to bear arms” as if it is the last thread of dignity they have left?

Confidence is like a muscle - the more you work on it, the stronger it gets. I know firsthand how tricky it can be to feel good about yourself, especially when life throws curveballs. But here’s the good news: confidence building techniques are within your reach, and they can transform how you see yourself and the world around you. Let’s dive into some practical, friendly, and effective ways to boost your confidence and self-esteem.