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"We're giving them weapons": Charlotte O'Brien's parents call for social media ban

The parents of a young girl who took her own life after being bullied have joined a campaign to raise the age limit for social media. Charlotte O'Brien was a student at Santa Sabina College in Sydney’s inner west, where she dealt with relentless bullying which led to the 12-year-old's tragic death. Now, her parents Mat Howard and Kelly O’Brien appeared on 60 Minutes to ask “how many more Charlottes do we need to lose” before action was taken to protect kids from harm online. When asked if she believed Charlotte would still be alive if social media was off limits to young children, Ms O’Brien replied: “Absolutely”. “My personal opinion. Giving our kids these phones, we’re giving them weapons, we’re giving them the world at their fingertips,” the grieving mother said. In the days after the young girl's death, it was revealed her parents had pleaded with her school to address “friendship issues” Charlotte was facing. Mr Howard told 60 Minutes that despite her “ongoing struggles” the last two weeks of Charlotte’s life were “the best two weeks that I can remember with her”, adding, "We thought we were really turning the corner.” “You know she’d come home from school that day and she’d had a great day. Kelly had made her favourite dinner that night. And that night she skipped off to bed, literally skipped. And we never saw her again.” Her family revealed a “completely distressed” Charlotte spoke to a friend on her phone the night she died, and shared messages she had been sent online. “So we can’t say exactly what we’ve been told, but what I will tell you is what we’ve been told is some of the worst words that anybody should have to read, let alone a 12-year-old girl,” Mr Howard said. Recalling the heart-wrenching moment they found their daughter's body, Ms O'Brien said she pleaded for answers from police on how she would've taken her own life. “I just kept saying to the police that morning, ‘Where did she get the knowledge and the means? Where did she get the knowledge and the means?’,” she said. “I couldn’t wrap my head around it, and he (the police officer) just said to me, ‘This is the age of information. She just needed to Google it’. And for me, I’m so devastated by that because I gave her that phone.” Charlotte’s parents have travelled to Canberra to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, ahead of legislation to raise the age of using social media from 13 to 16. “I intend to say, ‘Please, Mr. Albanese, raise the age of social media to 16, because 36 months could change a lifetime’. That’s what I’m going to say,” Ms O’Brien said. Mr Howard said, “Charlotte was not the first and she’s already not the last. And this will continue to happen unless we make the right decisions.” The controversial bill to raise the age on social media platforms is set to go before Australia’s federal parliament this week, with support from both major parties. Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org Image credits: 2GB / Kids Helpline

Caring

Family heartbroken after school removes teen's memorial site

Charlotte O'Brien, 12, sadly <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/mother-s-heartbreaking-farewell-at-bullied-daughter-s-funeral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">took her own life</a> on September 9 after experiencing relentless bullying at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, Sydney. Following the young schoolgirl's tragic death, her heartbroken family set up a memorial for her on a tree near the school. Her aunt Melinda Rodgers explained it was the only way they could bid farewell to the teen. “It was something we wanted to do for Charlotte because we didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye,” she told Nine News. “It was our special way of giving her something to say you mattered and we miss you.” The memorial was set up over the weekend, with a small plaque put in place and flowers which began piling up as others started to pay tribute to the 12-year-old. On Monday afternoon, the memorial site had been removed. The family first realised this when they saw Charlotte's grandfather, who had previously left flowers at the site, “wandering aimlessly up and down the street … trying to find the memorial site to lay his flowers” “Words cannot express how devastated we were,” Rodgers said, after finding out the memorial site had been removed. Paulina Skerman the principal of the school, confirmed they had removed the memorial “because of concerns that were raised about the impact this could have on young people”. She explained that the school was “with Charlotte’s family to find a permanent and loving way to remember Charlotte” and promised the 12-year-old would “not be forgotten”. Despite the school's explanation, Charlotte's father Mat, said he was “running out of words” to describe his feelings about the situation. “From the school’s perspective, If I was given advice to remove those things, I wouldn’t have touched them,” he said, adding it would be a "positive step" for the school to put up a permanent memorial to his daughter. Her parents had previously opened up about how disappointed they were in the school for reportedly showing "no empathy" during their <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/parents-disappointed-by-principal-s-response-to-daughter-s-suicide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20-minute meeting</a> with the principal, following Charlotte's death. “We arrived there and met with the principal. When I shared the feedback, she wasn’t interested in receiving that. The feedback was interrupted. It was discounted. It was disagreed with," Mat said at the time. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Lifeline: 13 11 14, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifeline.org.au </a> Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or <a href="http://kidshelpline.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kidshelpline.com.au</a> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">SANE Support line and Forums: 1800 187 263, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://saneforums.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saneforums.org</a> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Headspace: 1800 650 890, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://headspace.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">headspace.org.au</a> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Beyond Blue: 1300 224 635, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/beyondblue.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyondblue.org.au </a> Images: news.com.au

Family & Pets

Parents disappointed by Principal's response to daughter's suicide

Charlotte O'Brien was only 12-years-old when she <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/mother-s-heartbreaking-farewell-at-bullied-daughter-s-funeral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">took her own life </a>on September 9 after allegedly suffering years of bullying at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, Sydney. A month later her grieving parents Mat and Kelly said they have met with the school's principal but were left disappointed after she reportedly showed "no empathy" during their 20-minute meeting. “That glimmer of hope that anything positive to come from that meeting was squashed the moment we arrived,” Mat told Ben Fordham on 2GB on Tuesday. Mat explained how "incredibly hard" it was to walk through the school full of other young girl's their daughter's age. “We had to navigate ourselves across the school grounds, surrounded by other girls in their school uniform, knowing that we will never see our daughter again. That was incredibly hard for us,” he said. “We arrived there and met with the principal. When I shared the feedback, she wasn’t interested in receiving that. The feedback was interrupted. It was discounted. It was disagreed with. “I sat across the room from a lady (the principal) that showed myself and the rest of the family no emotion or empathy at all.” He claimed that the principal did not offer any kind of apology and said "there was no accountability at all". “The questions we wanted answered were simply not answered at all,” he said. “We were left to show ourselves out of the school ground.” “The last image that I will have of that school was as I looked behind me, Kelly was carrying some items of Charlotte’s and watching her squeeze herself and that box through those closed gates was one of the hardest things that I’ve seen. “Kelly got in the car and that was the worst I had seen her since the funeral. She said to me “I felt my daughter’s life did not matter”. Charlotte's parents had previously said they raised bullying concerns multiple times with the school, and although an investigation was conducted, no further action was taken. Santa Sabina College principal Paulina Skerman previously said the school was continuing to support Charlotte’s family through their “unimaginable grief” and was working with youth mental health foundation Headspace. <div class="footer-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> </div> <div class="body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Lifeline: 13 11 14, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifeline.org.au </a> SANE Support line and Forums: 1800 187 263, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://saneforums.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saneforums.org</a> Headspace: 1800 650 890, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://headspace.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">headspace.org.au</a> Beyond Blue: 1300 224 635, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/beyondblue.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyondblue.org.au </a> Images: Facebook/ GoFundMe </div> </div> Images: 7News

Caring

Getting antivirals for COVID too often depends on where you live and how wealthy you are

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-breadon-1348098">Peter Breadon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> Medical experts <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/treatments/eligibility">recommend</a> antivirals for people aged 70 and older who get COVID, and for other groups at risk of severe illness and hospitalisation from COVID. But many older Australians have missed out on antivirals after getting sick with COVID. It is yet another way the health system is failing the most vulnerable. <h2>Who missed out?</h2> We <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/How-we-analysed-COVID-antiviral-uptake-Grattan-Institute.pdf">analysed</a> COVID antiviral uptake between March 2022 and September 2023. We found some groups were more likely to miss out on antivirals including Indigenous people, people from disadvantaged areas, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Some of the differences will be due to different rates of infection. But across this 18-month period, many older Australians were infected at least once, and rates of infection were higher in some disadvantaged communities. <h2>How stark are the differences?</h2> Compared to the national average, Indigenous Australians were nearly 25% less likely to get antivirals, older people living in disadvantaged areas were 20% less likely to get them, and people with a culturally or linguistically diverse background were 13% less likely to get a script. People in remote areas were 37% less likely to get antivirals than people living in major cities. People in outer regional areas were 25% less likely. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=329&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=329&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=329&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=413&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=413&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/620627/original/file-20240920-20-yc7sq5.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=413&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Dispensing rates by group. Grattan Institute</figcaption></figure> Even within the same city, the differences are stark. In Sydney, people older than 70 in the affluent eastern suburbs (including Vaucluse, Point Piper and Bondi) were nearly twice as likely to have had an antiviral as those in Fairfield, in Sydney’s south-west. Older people in leafy inner-eastern Melbourne (including Canterbury, Hawthorn and Kew) were 1.8 times more likely to have had an antiviral as those in Brimbank (which includes Sunshine) in the city’s west. <h2>Why are people missing out?</h2> COVID antivirals should be taken when symptoms first appear. While awareness of COVID antivirals is generally strong, people often <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40121-024-01003-3">don’t realise</a> they would benefit from the medication. They <a href="https://www.phrp.com.au/?p=43363">wait</a> until symptoms get worse and it is too late. Frequent GP visits make a big difference. Our analysis found people 70 and older who see a GP more frequently were much more likely to be dispensed a COVID antiviral. Regular visits give an opportunity for preventive care and patient education. For example, GPs can provide high-risk patients with “COVID treatment plans” as a reminder to get tested and seek treatment as soon as they are unwell. Difficulty seeing a GP could help explain low antiviral use in rural areas. Compared to people in major cities, people in small rural towns have about 35% <a href="https://hwd.health.gov.au/resources/data/gp-primarycare.html">fewer</a> GPs, see their GP about half as often, and are 30% more likely to <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/latest-release">report</a> waiting too long for an appointment. Just like for <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-fair-shot-How-to-close-the-vaccination-gap-Grattan-Institute-Report.pdf">vaccination</a>, a GP’s focus on antivirals probably matters, as does providing care that is accessible to people from different cultural backgrounds. <h2>Care should go those who need it</h2> Since the period we looked at, evidence has emerged that raises <a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/FmjFC91ZVBSmBpXpZSEh9CqMtQx?domain=nejm.org">doubts</a> about how effective antivirals are, particularly for people at lower risk of severe illness. That means getting vaccinated is more important than getting antivirals. But all Australians who are eligible for antivirals should have the same chance of getting them. These drugs have cost more than A$1.7 billion, with the vast majority of that money coming from the federal government. While dispensing rates have fallen, more than <a href="http://medicarestatistics.humanservices.gov.au/statistics/do.jsp?_PROGRAM=%2Fstatistics%2Fpbs_item_standard_report&itemlst=%2712910L%27%2C%2712996B%27&ITEMCNT=2&LIST=12910L%2C12996B&VAR=SERVICES&RPT_FMT=6&start_dt=202201&end_dt=202408">30,000</a> packs of COVID antivirals were dispensed in August, costing about $35 million. Such a huge investment shouldn’t be leaving so many people behind. Getting treatment shouldn’t depend on your income, cultural background or where you live. Instead, care should go to those who need it the most. People born overseas have been <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/covid-19-mortality-australia-deaths-registered-until-31-january-2024#deaths-due-to-covid-19-country-of-birth">40% more likely</a> to die from COVID than those born here. Indigenous Australians have been <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/covid-19-mortality-australia-deaths-registered-until-31-january-2024#covid-19-mortality-among-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people">60% more likely</a> to die from COVID than non-Indigenous people. And the most disadvantaged people have been <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/covid-19-mortality-australia-deaths-registered-until-31-january-2024#deaths-due-to-covid-19-socio-economic-status-seifa-">2.8 times</a> more likely to die from COVID than those in the wealthiest areas. All those at-risk groups have been more likely to miss out on antivirals. It’s not just a problem with antivirals. The same groups are also disproportionately missing out on COVID <a>vaccination</a>, compounding their risk of severe illness. The pattern is repeated for other important preventive health care, such as <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/54a38a6a-9e3c-4f58-b2f6-cdef977a7d60/aihw-can-155_15sept.pdf?v=20230915162104&inline=true">cancer</a> <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/27f32443-5206-4189-8775-0c1f55a26bc4/aihw-can-160.pdf?v=20240617095924&inline=true">screening</a>. <h2>A 3-step plan to meet patients’ needs</h2> The federal government should do three things to close these gaps in preventive care. First, the government should make Primary Health Networks (PHNs) responsible for reducing them. PHNs, the regional bodies responsible for improving primary care, should share data with GPs and step in to boost uptake in communities that are missing out. Second, the government should extend its <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/mymedicare">MyMedicare</a> reforms. MyMedicare gives general practices flexible funding to care for patients who live in residential aged care or who visit hospital frequently. That approach should be <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/a-new-medicare-strengthening-general-practice/">expanded</a> to all patients, with more funding for poorer and sicker patients. That will give GP clinics time to advise patients about preventive health, including COVID vaccines and antivirals, before they get sick. Third, team-based pharmacist prescribing should be introduced. Then pharmacists could quickly dispense antivirals for patients if they have a prior agreement with the patient’s GP. It’s an approach that would also <a href="https://theconversation.com/pharmacists-should-be-able-to-work-with-gps-to-prescribe-medicines-for-long-term-conditions-212359">work</a> for medications for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. COVID antivirals, unlike vaccines, have been <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-wave-whats-the-latest-on-antiviral-drugs-and-who-is-eligible-in-australia-218423">keeping up</a> with new variants without the need for updates. If a new and more harmful variant emerges, or when a new pandemic hits, governments should have these systems in place to make sure everyone who needs treatment can get it fast. In the meantime, fairer access to care will help close the big and persistent <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/0cbc6c45-b97a-44f7-ad1f-2517a1f0378c/hiamhbrfhsu.pdf?v=20230605184558&inline=true">gaps</a> in health between different groups of Australians. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-breadon-1348098">Peter Breadon</a>, Program Director, Health and Aged Care, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/getting-antivirals-for-covid-too-often-depends-on-where-you-live-and-how-wealthy-you-are-239497">original article</a>. </div>

Caring

Mother's heartbreaking farewell at bullied daughter's funeral

<em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Warning: This article contains discussions about suicide that some readers may find distressing. The mother of 12-year-old Charlotte Frances O’Brien, a victim of relentless bullying, broke down at her daughter's funeral in a heartbreaking farewell, expressing her anguish and grief. Charlotte, a Year 7 student at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, Sydney, tragically took her own life on September 9, leaving her family, friends and community devastated. Hundreds of mourners gathered at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Bossley Park on Friday for the solemn service. Many wore pink ribbons in their hair, a tribute to Charlotte’s favourite colour. The student body of her primary school was given the day off to attend the funeral. As the service began, Charlotte’s parents, Mat and Kelly, struggled to hold back tears as they carried their daughter’s casket, adorned with lavender and butterflies, through the church. During an emotional eulogy, Kelly expressed her profound love for her daughter, saying, "I will grieve the life you never had." Kelly described Charlotte as her soulmate and best friend, recalling moments of joy and love they shared. “The first moment I held her in my arms will always be the best day of my life," she said tearfully. "I knew within a moment of being her mother that I had met my soulmate." Charlotte's stepfather, Mat, also spoke lovingly of her, recalling her kindness, bravery and the special bond they shared. He read from her final Father’s Day card, where she affectionately described him as “more than a captain”, expressing the deep love she held for him. A poignant slideshow of Charlotte’s life played during the service, accompanied by the song "You Are Not Alone". The photos showed Charlotte smiling and laughing with friends, celebrating birthdays and cuddling her newborn brother, offering glimpses of her joy-filled yet short-lived childhood. The service concluded with Kelly clutching a stuffed penguin, a symbolic farewell to her beloved daughter. Outside the church, mourners gathered around, throwing petals onto the hearse before it departed for the cemetery. While Charlotte’s parents did not directly address the bullying their daughter endured, the presiding priest highlighted the alarming statistic that one in three children worldwide are bullied, urging the community to reflect on their role in combating this issue. “There is a responsibility in the world, starting at home and in our communities. We must grow our hearts and minds in God’s work and continue to move forward,” he said. Charlotte’s death has left a lasting impact on her family, friends, and school community, sparking renewed conversations about the urgent need to address bullying in schools and beyond. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 <em style="font-weight: bolder; background-color: #ffffff; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box;">SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org Images: 7News

Family & Pets

Nicole Kidman reveals her past struggles with bullying

Nicole Kidman has revealed how before she was a household name and an award-winning performer, she was bullied and teased relentlessly through her childhood. The Aussie actress opened up about her struggles in the new documentary series, In Vogue: The 90s on Disney+, which gives viewers an inside look at the fashion world during the decade of supermodels. The 57-year-old admitted that it wasn’t until the fashion world invited her into its inner-circle that she felt comfortable in her own skin due to being bullied throughout her childhood. “I mean, I was a red-headed, fair-skinned girl who was almost 5’11 at the age of 14,” she said. “I would get teased, and it wasn’t kind. So every time I was given access to that whole world, you feel like a little girl who’s been given the chance to step into this sort of fantasy world.” As Kidman rose to fame in the 90s, she was approached by legendary designer John Galliano, who wanted to dress her for the 1997 Oscars. Revealing what was going through her mind when the iconic designer reached out, Kidman delved into some of her struggles from her youth regarding her body image and what it meant to her to have a dress designed specifically for her. “Can you believe it?” Kidman rhetorically asked. “My whole life, I wanted to be 5’2” and curvaceous and suddenly, being 5’11 and completely sort of skinny and flat chested was like, ‘Great, we can dress you.’ ” “I grew up watching Audrey Hepburn and Katharine Hepburn and Grace Kelly — all these women whose style was created with the designers that they’re affiliated with,” Kidman continued, speaking of ushering in a new era in red carpet fashion. “They just loved fashion. So I remember thinking, but of course, this should be brought into Hollywood now, and we should be wearing the things that are made in these gorgeous little salons in Paris. Because that’s what they used to do, so why aren’t we still doing it?” Image credits: Instagram

Family & Pets

"What do you say?" TV host's heartbreaking parenting plea

An Aussie TV host has shared a heartfelt plea for advice after revealing that his 12-year-old daughter has been bullied at school. Barry Du Bois, co-host of The Living Room, shared an emotional post on Instagram admitting he is struggling to help Arabella with the bullying issue, and asked other parents for advice. “I just watched my little girl walk out the gate of our home, a place where I know she is safe and feels a sense of security and belonging,” Barry said. “She is heading to a place that doesn’t offer that same security, her school. As a parent, I’m supposed to protect and guide her through difficult times, but this morning, I am lost.” “Yesterday, Arabella came home from school claiming she was sick,” he continued. "This isn’t the first time it has happened. She wasn’t actually sick but is instead being bullied again.” Barry then asked for help from his followers on how to help his daughter, asking, “What do you say to a child when you’ve already said, ‘Don’t let them upset you. Just keep being kind. You are not the horrible things they say’.” “She said, ‘I don’t want to be special; I just want to be liked’,” the TV star added before revealing he felt “weak, angry, confused and a little fearful”. The touching post encouraged some of his famous friends to share their own stories of helping their kids deal with bullying. “My mate sent his daughter to Jiu Jitsu after being bullied. She fell in love with it and gained another level of confidence,” wrote The Bachelor Australia star Tim Robards. “Sometimes you’ve just got to go up to the parents and say, ‘your kid bullies mine’,” added Married At First Sight’s Ryan Gallagher. Image credits: Instagram

Family & Pets

Woman “bullied” on plane over budget seating trick

A young woman has recalled a flight from hell when she was “bullied” by a couple who were trying to utilise a seating hack that went viral on TikTok. The solo traveller took to Reddit to recount the story and ask social media users if she was in the wrong for her action. The woman began by saying she usually pays more to select her plane seat ahead of time, but a medical emergency on another plane had her waiting on standby and left with no option other than to sit in a middle seat. When she was finally able to board, she was greeted by a couple who had purchased both the window and aisle seats in a bid to have more space, utilising a travel “trick” that has been popular on TikTok. The method, which has been dubbed the 'poor man's business class', usually leaves travellers with an empty middle seat and more space, and few travellers opt to pick a middle seat. “When I got to my row the man and woman were chatting and sharing a snack... it was obvious they were together. I mentioned to the man that I'm in the middle, and he got up to let me in,” the unsuspecting traveller wrote on Reddit. “I asked them if they would prefer to sit together, I said I was totally okay with that. The woman reacted rudely to this and said ‘you're not supposed to be sitting here anyway’.” After noticing how the plane was full, she offered to show the pair her new ticket with the correct seat number on it. “She flicked her hand at my ticket and made a disgusted sound. I offered again if they wanted to sit together to which she didn't reply, her partner said it's okay and... made some small talk,” she continued. The man’s girlfriend then interrupted their conversation to ask,”'Did you use one of those third party websites to book your flight? It's so frustrating when people cheap out to inconvenience others.” The American woman explained that she had booked her flight directly and she had been placed on standby like everyone else and didn't choose the middle seat - she was assigned it. She then tried to keep the peace by refusing to engage with the furious woman. “I was so done with her attitude, I put my headphones on and attempted to do my own thing,” she explained. But the “entitled” girlfriend wasn't letting it go, as the woman explained, “This woman kept reaching over me and tapping her partner and trying to talk to him in a way that was super intrusive.” “I could tell even her partner was trying to engage her less so that she would hopefully stop, but she didn't.” “I think they tried to pull that tactic where they don't sit together on purpose...hoping no one will sit between them. But on full flights it doesn't work. And even so - it's not the other person's fault.” The traveller's post was met with hundreds of comments slamming the girlfriend’s behaviour, as one person wrote, “It's like a toddler having a tantrum.” “She was disappointed and a total a**hole. Gross entitled people,” another added. Another person applauded the traveller’s level-headed behaviour, writing, “Wow! You are my hero for keeping it classy - I’m afraid I would not have been as kind as you.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Readers response: What is on your anti travel bucket list?

When it comes to travelling, lots of people have a bucket list of places they would love to go and things they would love to experience. But in a similar vain, many travellers have a strict list of places they don't wish to go, and things they can do without ever experiencing. We asked our readers what's on their anti travel bucket lists, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Deedee Cullum - Large, busy airports where your connecting flight is at the other end of the building. Colleen Burgess - The middle seat on every airline! Karen Ambrose - We won’t go to America due to the gun culture there. Too dangerous. Sue Bailey - Any travel without comprehensive travel insurance - a 'must have'. If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. Sarah Archie - USA, China, war countries, countries renowned for civil unrest. Faye Grave - Bali. Pam Coppock - Anywhere outside Australia for me. Russell Drury - Cruise. Carol O'Brien - Dealing with unruly passengers on planes & long haul flights. Judi Tracey - Dubai. A dear friend of mine was spat in the face there. Vincent Cole - Qantas! Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Anti-cellulite products are big business – but here’s what the science says

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-shepherd-423135">Rebecca Shepherd</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Although <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.14815">90% of women have cellulite</a>, we’re yet to see it represented as a normal anatomical characteristic in popular culture. In Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Hollywood blockbuster, for instance, Stereotypical Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, develops dimples on her upper thigh as part of her existential crisis – along with other human faults such as halitosis, flat feet and irrepressible thoughts of death. When Stereotypical Barbie asks doll sage Weird Barbie what the dimples are, she explains: “That’s cellulite. That’s going to spread everywhere. Then you’re going to start getting sad and mushy and complicated.” Barbie’s perfect smooth plastic perfection is marred. Despite its prevalence, then, cellulite has been constructed as a flaw in need of correction. Consumers, it seems, agree, especially when fed a diet of the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21604851.2021.1913827">photoshop smoothed skin</a> of models, social media influencers – and Hollywood stars. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rmThigh1i8s?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>“NO!” Barbie shouts when Weird Barbie tells her she has cellulite.</figcaption></figure> Cellulite’s usually found in areas that have greater amounts of subcutaneous fat, when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin, leading to a lumpy appearance. It is common, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738081X1300076X?via%3Dihub">usually painless</a> and harmless. The human skin is the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-skin-is-a-very-important-and-our-largest-organ-what-does-it-do-91515">body’s largest organ</a>, made up of three layers. At the surface, the epidermis acts as our first line of defence against the environment. This outermost, impermeable layer is made up of cells that are constantly renewed and shed, protecting our body from external elements. Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis, a robust layer containing fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing essential proteins such as collagen and elastin. These proteins provide structure and elasticity, contributing to the skin’s strength and flexibility. Deeper still is the hypodermis, also known as the subcutaneous layer. This layer is rich in adipose tissue – mostly made up of fat, which plays a crucial role in cushioning and insulating the body, as well as storing fat that can be used when needed. Beneath these three layers of skin, there is muscle. Running from the muscle to the dermis are <a href="https://journals.lww.com/amjdermatopathology/fulltext/2000/02000/cellulite__from_standing_fat_herniation_to.7.aspx">bands of connective tissue</a>, that holds the adipose tissue in “pockets”. Cellulite does not affect health, although some people report that it affects their <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07853890.2018.1561731">self-esteem and body image</a> but that’s more to do with the social pressure on women to be physically perfect – or spend money, time and energy trying to be as close to perfect as possible. Cellulite, then, has become big business for the beauty industry. In the lead up to summer especially, companies will promote <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/weight-control-cellulite.html">all manner of products</a> from creams and serums to gadgets and pills, all aimed at creating perfectly smooth limbs. The most popular question seems to be, “Do these treatments work?” but as an anatomist I think the more pressing question is, “Why are healthy women’s bodies considered something to treat, cure or correct?” The beauty and wellness industry has long capitalised on societal standards of beauty. The idea that cellulite is undesirable and <a href="https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/abstract/1978/03000/So_Called_Cellulite.9.aspx">should be corrected</a> has been perpetuated since Vogue magazine was the <a href="https://archive.vogue.com/article/1968/4/cellulite-the-new-word-for-fat-you-couldnt-lose-before">first English language magazine</a> to use the term “cellulite”, introducing the concept to thousands of women. This marketing strategy taps into the insecurities of consumers, particularly women, and promotes an endless pursuit of “perfection” for bodies that have normal anatomical variation. By framing cellulite as a condition that needs treatment, companies can sell a wide range of products and services, bolstered by celebrity endorsements, which lend credibility and aspirational value to pseudo-medical “smoothing” products. However, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of these supplements in treating cellulite. In fact, the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1524-4725.1978.tb00416.x">first scientific paper</a> on cellulite, published in 1978, referred to it as “so called cellulite: the invented disease”. Recent product launches include, <a href="https://lemmelive.com/en-gb/products/lemme-smooth-capsules?variant=45597048111318">Lemme Smooth</a>, Kourtney Kardashian-Barker’s latest addition to her vitamin and supplement range. The product’s promotional materials claim that the capsule “visibly reduces cellulite in 28 days”. But what does the science tell us? Supplements like Lemme Smooth claim to improve skin texture and reduce cellulite from within. Kardashian-Barker’s supplement contains a mixture of <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10298-015-0977-4">french cantaloupe melon</a>, hyaluronic acid, chromium and vitamin C among other ingredients. The body’s ability to absorb and utilise these ingredients in a way that would impact cellulite is still a subject of debate. There is evidence that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4110621/#:%7E:text=In%20a%20randomized%2C%20double%2Dblind,in%20part%2C%20to%20the%20skin.">ingested hyaluronic acid</a> can migrate into the skin, stimulating the production of collagens within the dermis – and vitamin C has been shown to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-72704-1">thicken the surface layer</a> of the skin. However, the lack of standardisation in testing for the use of these ingredients in the treatment of cellulite means it’s still not clear if they will have a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00318.x">significant effect</a>. Other products marketed to reduce the appearance of cellulite include topical creams and lotions, containing ingredients like <a href="https://karger.com/books/book/763/chapter-abstract/5600478/Specific-Use-Cosmeceuticals-for-Body-Skin-Texture?redirectedFrom=fulltext">caffeine, retinol, and herbal extracts</a>. Cosmetic products are not able to penetrate the epidermis enough to significantly affect the underlying fat deposits and connective tissue. Some invasive treatments, such as <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/fat-removal/cellulite-treatments-what-really-works">laser therapy, subcision, and acoustic wave therapy</a> can offer more promising results. These procedures work by breaking down the connective tissue bands that cause dimpling and stimulating collagen production in the dermis to improve skin elasticity. While these methods <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/fat-removal/cellulite-treatments-what-really-works">may be more effective</a>, they are often expensive, require multiple sessions to achieve results – and aren’t without risk. Maintaining a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, and regular physical activity can help improve the overall appearance of the skin and reduce the visibility of cellulite. Losing weight and strengthening the muscles in the legs, buttocks and abdomen may make cellulite less noticeable, but it won’t make it <a href="https://jndc-chemistryarticles.info/ijn/article/318">disappear altogether</a>. The bottom line, though, is that cellulite does not need to be treated. It’s a normal anatomical variation that’s been transformed into a condition driving a lucrative market for cures <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40257-015-0129-5">that don’t exist</a>. My top expert advice in the run up to summer? Be wary of claims from cosmetic companies and save your money. <hr /> The Conversation has approached the Lemme Live brand for comment.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/232318/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-shepherd-423135">Rebecca Shepherd</a>, Senior Lecturer in Human Anatomy, School of Anatomy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/anti-cellulite-products-are-big-business-but-heres-what-the-science-says-232318">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Beloved author slams Carrie Bickmore for “schoolyard bullying”

New Zealand author and poet Jessica Urlichs has voiced her extreme displeasure with Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little for her radio program "Carrie & Tommy", claiming that she experienced what amounted to "schoolyard bullying" during a recent segment. Bickmore read one of Urlichs’ poems on air recently while speaking to her co-host, Tommy Little. Urlichs, who has nearly half-a-million followers on Instagram, felt that her work was shamefully mocked during the broadcast. "I don’t have any words left to truly articulate the schoolyard bullying you displayed in your recent segment across multiple radio stations," Urlichs wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday. She continued, "You used my heartfelt poem (without permission) as your very weak punchline. Your co-host wasn’t allowing a voice for post-partum women, nor you for that matter, and as a woman who was once post-partum it was very disappointing to see you reduce yourself to his childlike behaviour on such an important topic." In her caption, Urlichs explained she wrote the poem for herself and for mothers who might be offended by the radio segment. She also mentioned that her requests to have the content removed had been ignored. During the radio segment, Bickmore explained to Little that the poems, written from the perspective of a baby to its mother, frequently appeared in her social media feed. Little responded with skepticism and humour, questioning the premise that a baby could write such a poem. Bickmore defended the work, identifying Urlichs as the author and stressing the poem's emotional significance for mothers dealing with sleepless nights. Despite this, Little continued to mock the poem, suggesting it was written by a middle-aged man pretending to be a baby. The segment continued with Bickmore reading the poem aloud, accompanied by background music, while Little laughed and interjected. This tone persisted throughout the reading, leading to further comments from Little that questioned the poem's authenticity and meaning. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Q8DaXPMd9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Q8DaXPMd9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by J E S S I C A U R L I C H S (@jessurlichs)</a> </div> </blockquote> Following the broadcast, a video clip of the segment was posted on Instagram, where Urlichs expressed her disappointment in the comments. "If you’d asked for my permission to post this and I’d seen how it was mocked throughout I would have said no," she wrote on the post that has now been removed. She added that while she appreciates people sharing her work to support other mothers, she felt her writing was treated as a punchline in this instance. The full text of the remarkable poem can be read below. <iframe style="overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjessurlichs%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02jzy9gwBKnMAAX12NYp7XiZ1CpWsgxfd2zyhRaHVQfgLJ3NoB1kCcGXNbhJucZcYNl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Family & Pets

4 anti-ageing mistakes most women make

While there’s no denying it, wrinkles are just part of the natural ageing process, there are some mistakes we all make that will speed up the ageing process. So if you want to keep your youthful glow for longer, be sure to avoid these beauty blunders. Skipping sunscreen READ CAREFULLY: Sunscreen IS THE ultimate anti-ageing tool. Even when it’s not beach-worthy weather outside, but the sun’s UV rays can still damage your skin. This is namely photoageing, the wrinkling, spotting and loss of elasticity caused by exposure to sun. So as part of your daily routine, make sure you slip, slap, slop. Rubbing tired eyes While we’re all guilty of this seemingly harmful action, did you know that simply rubbing your eyes will stretch delicate skin and may cause it to slacken? The skin around our eyes and on our eyelids is the most sensitive and least elastic on our face and the most vulnerable... so keep your fingers away. Skimping on sunglasses As well as being a fashionable accessory, sunglasses also do wonders to minimize lines around your eyes. Shading your eyes from the sun’s glare prevents squinting and crow's feet wrinkles, of course, but it also shields delicate skin from the destructive onslaught of UV rays. Make sure you opt for a pair with UV protection. Neglecting your neck, chest and hands The delicate skin of these areas lack the oil glands of other areas of skin, which results in dryness and accelerated aging. Plus, these areas are often fraught with sunscreen neglect. As well as remembering to apply sunscreen to these areas you should also pay attention to them by applying an anti-ageing serum. Image credits: Shutterstock

Beauty & Style

“I’m sick of it": Boy's heartbreaking plea after racist abuse

An Anawain Gamilaroi woman has demanded change after her nine-year-old nephew was left crushed by racist abuse that he allegedly experienced at AFL training. Shaylee Matthews shared the heartbreaking video of Jarmilles breaking down in a car on LinkedIn. The young boy was still wearing his team jersey and was in tears as he repeated the racist abuse that was allegedly targeted towards him. "I hate it when you call me Black," he said through tears. "I hate when you call me monkey. It's got to stop." "I'm sick of this. I don't want there to be racism. I'm sick of it. It needs to be over." When asked if he was okay, Jarmilles replied: "No. I want to go home and go to bed now." Matthews, who works for the ACT government, said the video exposes the "harsh reality" of racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. “This post and videos shared is of my 9 soon to be 10 year old nephew’s experience at AFL training (playing a game he loves) which highlights the harsh reality of racism that persists in our society, especially during National Reconciliation Week (with the theme being Now More Than Ever),” she said. “It’s a call to action for us all to confront privilege, challenge learned racism, and dismantle the systemic issues that perpetuate injustice for Indigenous youth.” "The hurtful comments and behaviours faced by Jarmilles not only reflect individual ignorance but also contribute to larger systemic inequalities," she added. She then called for the public to use Reconciliation Week as an opportunity to fight racism and advocate for change. "We must advocate for change, demand accountability, and ensure that all children, regardless of their background, are treated with dignity and respect," she said. "By standing in solidarity, raising our voices, and actively working towards a more just and inclusive society, we can create a future where every child feels safe, valued, and supported. "Let's turn this moment of pain into a catalyst for meaningful change and a brighter tomorrow for all our children." Image: LinkedIn/ news.com.au

Legal

5 sneaky beauty tricks that take a decade off your look

What if we told you there were five super simple turn-back-the-clock tricks that could brighten the face, open up the eyes, improve plumpness and give you enviably shiny hair? Well, that’s exactly what we’re telling you. And these tips don’t require and expensive trip to a beauty salon and can be done in your very own bathroom. When it comes to your skin, just one super-charged anti-ager will instantly boost your beauty routine—and deliver the kind of results we’d all be happy to see in the mirror. Here are five tricks you should definitely try today. Try a Sleeping Beauty elixir They don’t call it beauty sleep for no good reason. While you’re head is on the pillow, it’s the perfect time to slather on an overnight face and neck cream that uses skin brightening ingredients such as vitamin C, algae extract and anti-oxidants. You will wake up more supple, radiant and bright – and in some cases, with firmer skin. Go for bold lip A bold yet fresh lip will instantly brighten and lift the face. The trick is to go one or two shades brighter than you usually do – without option for a blast of neon. Diffuse bright edges with a cotton bud to stop hard lines. Shake the magic wand Eyelashes have the ability to really open up your eyes and thus give you a more youthful look instantly. So everyone, get acquainted with the eyelash curler. A must for opening up tired, droopy eyelids before applying mascara – it works every time. Attempt a gravity-defying mini massage As massages stimulate circulation, cells and collagen, everyone should be giving themself a daily morning face massage using small circular motions. Focus on your forehead, cheeks, chin, and gently pat under eyes to help with firmness and reduce bloating. Let your hair shine on Shiny, healthy hair makes everyone look better – and it one of the easiest beauty tricks to master. Try mashed-up avocado mixed with olive oil as a hair mask – it’s cheap, natural and really effective. Image credits: Shutterstock

Beauty & Style

What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here’s what the science says

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacinta-l-johnson-1441348">Jacinta L. Johnson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kirsten-staff-1494356">Kirsten Staff</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Hair loss (also known as alopecia) often affects the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. It’s very common and usually nothing to worry about; about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15525840">half of Australian men</a> show signs of visible baldness at age 50 and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15525840">over a quarter of Australian women</a> report hair thinning by the same age. It’s often genetic. But if you’ve noticed hair loss and are worried by it, see a GP or dermatologist for a diagnosis before trying any treatments. Products claiming to reverse hair loss are everywhere, but few have been scientifically tested for how well they work. One group of products that have actually been scientifically tested, however, are known as topical minoxidil products. These include products such as Regaine®. So, do they work? Here’s what the research evidence says, what you can realistically expect and what you need to know if you’re considering this treatment. <h2>What is minoxidil – and does it work?</h2> Topical minoxidil usually comes as a kind of foam or serum you apply to your scalp. It’s been approved by the <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/">Therapeutic Goods Administration</a>, Australia’s regulatory authority for therapeutic goods, for the treatment of hereditary hair loss in males and females. Minoxidil is also available in tablet form, but this isn’t currently approved for hair loss (more on that later). So, is topical minoxidil effective? In short – yes, but the results vary widely from person to person, and it needs to be used consistently over several months to see results. Scientists don’t know exactly how minoxidil works. It may affect the different phases of the hair life cycle, thereby encouraging growth. It also <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2021.1945527?casa_token=KhIM_u0u8nwAAAAA:5njp_XE5cHhip454ycvU1p9p_t0VVzpjRu0ozDZ9YqNb04fmhmngWzYeiowZcG5UugLQkTVIzCcj7A">opens up blood vessels</a> near hair follicles. This increases blood flow, which in turn delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the hair. While minoxidil is unlikely to restore a full head of thick, lush, hair, it can slow down hair loss and can <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007628.pub4/full?highlightAbstract=minoxidil">stimulate regrowth</a>. It is the over-the-counter option with the most evidence. Two strengths are available: 5% and 2%. An analysis of randomised controlled trials found minoxidil applied to the scalp twice a day increased the number of hairs per square centimetre by <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28396101/">eight to 15 hairs</a>, with the higher strength treatment having a slightly greater effect. <h2>Can I use it for non-genetic balding?</h2> There are many causes of hair loss. The main cause in both males and females is a hereditary condition called androgenic alopecia. Although topical minoxidil is only approved for use in Australia for androgenic alopecia, there is some evidence it can also help in other conditions that cause hair loss. For example, it may hasten hair regrowth in patients who have lost hair due to <a href="https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(96)90500-9/abstract">chemotherapy</a>. Unfortunately, minoxidil is not effective when the hair follicle is gone, like after a burn injury. Although small studies have found promising results using minoxidil to promote hair growth on the face (for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1346-8138.13312">beard</a> or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24471459/">eyebrow</a> enhancement), topical minoxidil products are not currently approved for this use. More research is required. <h2>What else do I need to know?</h2> Minoxidil won’t work well for everyone. Early in treatment you might notice a temporary increase in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22409453/">hair shedding</a>, as it alters the hair cycle to make way for new growth. Minoxidil needs to be trialled for three to six months to determine if it’s effective. And as it doesn’t cure hair loss, you must <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.14624?casa_token=P-zW7kDNRs8AAAAA%3AaUgUzxU7lbwBpg1BYPajOfXFhpb_mU5g_ounZ6GtjsLLkHO_AdVQ2Kf-8zZkW80ykBj3N_sOsyn392uc">continue</a> to use it each day to maintain the effect. If you stop, you will start losing the new hair growth <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/1f8127a5-2a98-4013-a7c3-a53300feb0e5-reduced.pdf">within three to four months</a>. Minoxidil products may not be suitable for everyone. If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist before using minoxidil products. It has not been tested for safety in <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/1f8127a5-2a98-4013-a7c3-a53300feb0e5-reduced.pdf">people under 18, over 65, or those who are pregnant</a>. You can read the <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/regaine-for-men-regular-strength-application">consumer medicines information sheet</a> for more information about using over-the-counter minoxidil products. Many people do not like to use minoxidil solution or foams long-term because they need to be applied everyday day, which can be inconvenient. Or they may notice side effects, such as scalp irritation and changes to hair texture. Some people <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.14624?casa_token=P-zW7kDNRs8AAAAA%3AaUgUzxU7lbwBpg1BYPajOfXFhpb_mU5g_ounZ6GtjsLLkHO_AdVQ2Kf-8zZkW80ykBj3N_sOsyn392uc">tolerate the foam products better</a> than the solution, as the solution contains more of a compound called propylene glycol (which can irritate the skin). <h2>What about the oral tablet form of minoxidil?</h2> Minoxidil is also available on prescription as an oral tablet. While traditionally used for high blood pressure, it has also been used as a treatment for hair loss. In 2020, a <a href="https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)32109-5/abstract">systematic review</a> identified 17 studies involving 634 patients using oral minoxidil for various hair loss conditions. The authors found oral minoxidil was effective and generally well tolerated in healthy people who were having trouble using the topical products. The review noted oral minoxidil may increase hair growth over the whole body and may cause heart-related side effects in some patients. More research is required. In Australia, oral minoxidil is available under the trade name <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/df29e16f-6464-4652-ba1f-a53300fed275.pdf">Loniten</a>®. However, it is currently only approved for use in high blood pressure. When people seek a prescription treatment for a non-approved purpose, this is called “off-label” prescribing. Off-label prescribing of oral minoxidil, potentially for use in alopecia, may have contributed to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10170338/">shortages</a> of Loniten® tablets in recent years. This can reduce availability of this medicine for people who need it for high blood pressure.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223736/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacinta-l-johnson-1441348">Jacinta L. Johnson</a>, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kirsten-staff-1494356">Kirsten Staff</a>, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-minoxidil-the-anti-balding-hair-growth-treatment-heres-what-the-science-says-223736">original article</a>. Image: Getty

Body

"How can people bully a baby?": Paris Hilton's son mercilessly mocked

In a world dominated by social media, celebrities often share glimpses of their personal lives with their followers. It's a way to celebrate their joys and connect with fans. However, this can also invite unwarranted negativity, as recently experienced by Paris Hilton when she posted innocent photos of her nine-month-old son, Phoenix, on Instagram. While she was trying to cherish a beautiful moment in her baby's life, vile comments from some of her followers overshadowed the happiness considerably. Hilton, the hotel heiress turned entrepreneur, proudly shared the series of snaps capturing her son during his first trip to New York City. The images featured the adorable baby boy sitting on her lap, evoking smiles and warmth from those who understood the significance of the moment. Paris captioned the photos with the words, "My precious angel baby Phoenix's first time in NYC." However, the joyous occasion quickly turned sour due to some insensitive comments from trolls who chose to focus on the appearance of baby Phoenix in an attempt to make fun of an innocent child. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cylt-26pDR7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cylt-26pDR7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Paris Hilton (@parishilton)</a> </div> </blockquote> Some followers expressed genuine concern for the baby, suggesting that Hilton should seek medical advice for her son. These comments, though well-intentioned, were also made without understanding the full context. In particular, one comment advised, "Please take him to the neurosurgeon ASAP; he needs a helmet soon." Another mentioned, "He really does look like he has macrocephaly," referring to a condition where an infant's head circumference is larger than normal. In contrast to the negativity, many of Paris Hilton's followers came to her defence, emphasising the importance of kindness and compassion, especially when it comes to a baby. One commenter wisely stated, "If you don't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all." "How can people Bully a baby?" wrote another. "What is wrong with you? It’s an innocent little baby 🥺🥺❤️" "She was so kind to share a precious photo of her son with us," wrote yet another. "I don't understand why people have to make fun of him or make comments about the way she is holding him." Some even criticised those pretending to be concerned about Phoenix's health but failing to consider the emotional toll such comments can take on a family. It's crucial to recognise that public figures like Hilton are also parents who cherish their family's privacy. In the weeks following Phoenix's birth, Hilton explained that she wanted something personal for herself, away from the spotlight. "I didn't want the media and people online just speaking about my son even before he was here on this earth," she revealed on the US Today show. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the harshness that can exist on social media platforms, even towards the most innocent of beings. Behind every celebrity persona is a human being, oftentimes a parent, who simply wants to celebrate a cherished moment in their child's life. Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

"Disgraced actor, bully, monster": Craig McLachlan opens up on assault allegations

Craig McLachlan has opened up about how the incident assault trial took a toll on his mental health and career. The former Neighbours actor was charged with seven counts of indecent assault and six of common law assault in 2019, after four women, who he starred alongside with in the stage production of the Rocky Horror Show came forward. McLachlan has long denied the allegations, and was eventually cleared of all charges. Now, the former actor is appearing on the new season of SAS Australia, and has spoken candidly about how his life changed after the trial. “When I started on Neighbours, I was in people’s lounge rooms night after night, day after day,” he told SAS producers. “But there was something that happened about five years ago that was shocking for the public and shocking for me." “Craig McLachlan, disgraced actor. Workplace bully, monster. “So I’m here to exorcise some pretty extreme pain with some pretty extreme pain.” Speaking with SAS Chief Instructor Ant Middleton and DS Jamie ‘Jay’ Morton, McLachlan said he is still angry about what happened, and carries a lot of emotional weight from the trial. "I suffer extreme social anxiety. I find it very difficult to trust situations where there are a lot of people, especially women." “I’m more anxious about being in a new group of people than I am about climbing up the side of a mountain." “I know that sounds bizarre, but for me, I’m afraid it’s true.” Middleton sensed McLachlan was becoming angry when talking about the case, to which McLachlan responded, "I was charged with 14, 15, 16 offences ... It’s one thing to be so publicly crucified, it’s another thing to be charged. I was found not guilty of any wrongful behaviour. It’s because I was f***ing innocent ... I’ve been profoundly hurt, so there’s always going to be some residual anger." McLachlan went on to share how he was "abandoned" by close friends in the entertainment world when the allegations first came to light. He said, "People who only months before looked me in the eye and said 'You create the most wonderful work environments imaginable' ... abandonment, total abandonment. A tiny handful of courageous people I have friendships with over 30 years were always there, but the vast majority - gone." He said the abandonment from his friends "really f**king hurt", to which the SAS team told him he has "gotta let it go". "That’s why I’m here," McLachlan said. "For me, the big takeaway from this experience will be moving forward, to find that I can function without anger and fear. But beyond that, learning to trust people again." Image credits: Channel Seven - SAS Australia

9 signs you have inflammation in your body. Could an anti-inflammatory diet help?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> There is a lot of health buzz around the term “inflammation” right now. From new scientific <a href="https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-07-inflammation-discovery-aging-age-related-diseases.html">discoveries</a> to <a href="https://people.com/health/gwyneth-paltrow-addresses-backlash-anti-inflammatory-diet/">celebrities</a> and social media influencers, it seems like everyone is talking about this important bodily process and its potential impact on our health. “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-018-0059-4">Inflammaging</a>” is a specific term you may also have seen. It’s an age-related increase in persistent, low-grade inflammation in blood and tissue, which is a strong risk factor for many conditions and diseases. So, can an anti-inflammatory diet help reduce inflammation? Let’s take a look. <h2>What is inflammation?</h2> When our body becomes injured or encounters an infection, it activates defence mechanisms to protect itself. It does this by instructing our cells to fight off the invader. This fighting process <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-019-0675-0#citeas">causes inflammation</a>, which often presents as swelling, redness and pain. In the short-term, inflammation is a sign your body is healing, whether from a grazed knee or a cold. If inflammation persists for a longer time it’s called “chronic”. That can indicate a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-05800-6">health problem</a> such as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3638313/">arthritis</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6719998/#B2-ijms-20-03879">heart disease</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6523054/">diabetes</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390758/">dementia</a> or other autoimmune disorders. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/">signs and symptoms</a> of chronic inflammation may be present from several months to years and include: <ol> <li>persistent pain</li> <li>chronic fatigue or insomnia</li> <li>joint stiffness</li> <li>skin problems</li> <li>elevated blood markers (such as <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/c-reactive-protein-CRP-blood-test">C-reactive protein</a>)</li> <li>gastrointestinal issues (constipation, diarrhoea, acid reflux)</li> <li>depression, anxiety and mood disorders</li> <li>unintended weight gain or loss</li> <li>frequent colds or flu.</li> </ol> <h2>What role does diet play?</h2> The relationship between food and inflammation is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109706013350">well recognised</a>. Overall, some food components may activate the immune system by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines (small proteins important in cell signaling) or reducing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. A “<a href="https://theconversation.com/clear-evidence-for-a-link-between-pro-inflammatory-diets-and-27-chronic-diseases-heres-how-you-can-eat-better-158451">pro-inflammatory diet</a>” may increase inflammation in the body over the long term. Such diets are usually low in fresh produce like fruits, vegetables and wholegrains, and high in commercially baked goods, fried foods, added sugars and red and processed meats. In contrast, an “<a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/80/4/1029/4690355">anti-inflammatory</a>” diet is associated with less inflammation in the body. There is no single anti-inflammatory diet. Two well-recognised, evidence-backed examples are the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Anti-inflammatory diets typically include the following elements: 1. high in antioxidants. These compounds help the body fight free radicals or unstable atoms, that in high quantities are linked to illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. The best way to consume antioxidants is by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Research shows frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables can be <a href="https://theconversation.com/frozen-and-tinned-foods-can-be-just-as-nutritious-as-fresh-produce-heres-how-201740">just as good as fresh</a> 2. high in “healthy”, unsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated fats and omega-3-fatty acids are found in fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon and tuna), seeds, nuts, and plant-based oils (olive oil and flaxseed oil) 3. high in fibre and prebiotics. Carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and leafy greens are good sources of fibre. Prebiotics promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in our intestines and can come from onions, leeks, asparagus, garlic, bananas, lentils and legumes 4. low in processed foods. These contain refined carbohydrates (pastries, pies, sugar-sweetened beverages, deep-fried foods and processed meats). <h2>Rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, depression</h2> There is mixed evidence for the role of anti-inflammatory diets in rheumatoid arthritis pain management. A recent <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8706441/">2021 systematic review</a> (where researchers carefully group and examine the available evidence on a topic) found eating an anti-inflammatory diet likely leads to significantly lower pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis when compared with other diets. However, the 12 studies included in the review had a high risk of bias – likely because people knew they were eating healthy foods – so the confidence in the evidence was low. Inflammation is strongly implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6486891/">Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia</a> and evidence suggests anti-inflammatory diets might help to protect the brain. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5015034/">2016 review</a> showed an anti-inflammatory diet may be protective against cognitive impairment and dementia, but that further large randomised controlled trials are needed. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8673721/">2021 study</a> followed 1,059 people for three years and observed their diet. They reported those with a greater pro-inflammatory diet had an increased risk of developing dementia. Inflammation has also been linked with mental health, with people eating a pro-inflammatory diet reporting more symptoms of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31152670/">depression</a>. Diet is the fundamental element of <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/october/lifestyle-interventions-for-mental-health">lifestyle approaches</a> to managing anxiety and mental health. More broadly, a <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/8/922">2021 review paper</a> examined recent research related to anti-inflammatory diets and their effect on reducing inflammation associated with ageing. It found compounds commonly found in anti-inflammatory diets could help alleviate the inflammatory process derived from diseases and unhealthy diets. <h2>What about turmeric?</h2> A favourite on social media and vitamin shelves, turmeric is promoted as having anti-inflammatory benefits. These are linked to a specific compound called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5388087/#:%7E:text=Curcuminoids%20are%20phenolic%20compounds%20commonly,several%20important%20functions%20of%20curcuminoids.">curcumin</a>, which gives turmeric its distinctive yellow colour. Research suggests curcumin might act as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body but high-quality clinical trials in humans are <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/16/6/4567">lacking</a>. Most of the <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/16/6/4567">existing studies</a> have been conducted in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcp.27360">lab settings</a> using cells or in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4608712/">animals</a>. So it’s unclear how much curcumin is needed to see anti-inflammatory benefits or how well <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/">we absorb it</a>. Overall, adding turmeric to your food may provide your body with some health benefits, but don’t rely on it to prevent or treat disease on its own. <h2>Safe eating</h2> Inflammation is a major factor in the link between diet and many health conditions. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is considered safe, likely to support health and to prevent future chronic conditions. If you are looking for tailored dietary advice or an anti-inflammatory meal plan, it’s best to speak with an <a href="https://member.dietitiansaustralia.org.au/Portal/Portal/Search-Directories/Find-a-Dietitian.aspx">accredited practising dietitian</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210468/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, Dietitian, Researcher & Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/9-signs-you-have-inflammation-in-your-body-could-an-anti-inflammatory-diet-help-210468">original article</a>.

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Anti-vegan chef launches clothing line against activist

Chef John Mountain has taken his feud with vegan activist Tash Peterson to the next level by unveiling a clothing line that names and shames her and her animal rights beliefs. The Perth chef, who has taken legal action against Ms Peterson after the pair tussled during protests at his restaurant Fyre, showed off the provocative range of tank-tops, t-shirts and hoodies on his new merchandise website. The merch page, which was launched on Saturday, promises customers will love the clothing “hopefully more than Tash loves chef”. It is now selling clothing that carries the restaurant's branding and slogans such as “Pleased to meat stew”, “no animals were harmed in the making of this shirt” and “all they have done is added fuel to the Fyre”. One t-shirt design features a half-star Google-style review graphic with the words: “Absolutely f***ing chaotic Tash Peterson”, which makes fun of Ms Peterson's description of a protest and the flood of Fyre reviews posted by vegans. Another design asks. “What's the difference between a vegan and a heroin addict? The vegan keeps it to themselves.” The clothing line comes after John Mountain announced all vegans would be banned from his restaurant due to “mental health reasons”. Mountain and Peterson have clashed several times at the Perth eatery, with Peterson’s latest demonstration resulting in legal action being taken against the staunch vegan and animal rights activist. After Peterson <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/furious-chef-lets-loose-after-clash-with-vegan-protestors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stormed</a> his booked-out restaurant with other activists in tow, they stood outside with a megaphone, while shouting and playing sounds of squealing pigs, moments before the altercation was caught on camera. Mountain and Peterson came to physical blows as he wrestled them out of the restaurant, as he defended his choice to retaliate against the protestors, saying he chose to stand up to the bullies to "protect my business". "Bullies come in all different shapes and sizes and these lot just happen to be the vegans." Image credits: A Current Affair / Fyre

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Quaden Bayles’ hopes for the future after being a victim of bullying

Three years ago, Quaden Bayles went viral after his mother posted a devastating video of her young son coming home from school. In the video posted to Facebook in 2020, Quaden, who was in primary school at the time, pleaded with his mother to let him end his life after being relentlessly bullied. At the start of the five-minute clip, Ms Bayles is heard saying, “I just picked my son up from school, witnessed a bullying episode, rang the principal, and I want people to know this is the effect bullying has. This is what bullying does.” Quaden’s heartbreaking moment touched the hearts of many around the world, including famous faces such as Hugh Jackman, who sent his well wishes to the young boy. Now, three years on, Quaden is in high school and has shared how much his life has changed since the video went viral. Speaking candidly with Australian Story, he said he is still the target of bullies, but he tries to not let it get to him. He said, “I'm just so happy now that I'm in high school like I'm not in primary school. It's finally over.” “I am not sitting on the carpets and grounds; I love high school now.” “But I still get hate here and there, but it's not as bad as it was back then.” Since the video went viral, Quaden has been offered many once in a lifetime opportunities through the people who have supported him, including being offered roles in several films. He said, “I’ve got so many good opportunities when people heard me, that I started to love acting and fashion.” “I’ve done my first movie, Three Thousand Years of Longing. The second one I’ve done is Mad Max Furiosa, and I’ve got another one I'm working on.” Quaden’s foray into the world of film has given him a new sense of confidence, with the 13-year-old saying he wants to keep making movies. “I want to keep going with my journey of acting. That’s what I want my future to be. I cannot wait to see myself on that big screen. I’m just gonna say ‘That’s me everyone!’” Image credits: ABC

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Anti-vegan chef launches clothing line against activist

Quaden Bayles’ hopes for the future after being a victim of bullying

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