Author: Aimee J Goddard
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World Teen Mental Health Day
World Teen Mental Health Day is observed each year on 2nd March and offers an opportunity to reflect and bring greater understanding to the mental health challenges faced by teenagers today. It also aims to reduce stigma and remind young people that they are not alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in…
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Impact of an AIDS diagnosis
About 40 years ago, HIV was identified and confirmed to be the cause of AIDS. (1) Initially, the global health community did not fully understand the virus and there were no effective treatment options available (1). Thankfully, significant medical progress has since been made and an AIDS diagnosis need not be met with such fear…
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Self-esteem in children
Self-esteem can be described as a person’s belief about their abilities and value in the world. (1) Your self-esteem is intimately linked to your sense of self confidence and self-worth. Considering that a low self-esteem may impact negatively on our mental health, affect our relationships and determine the strength of our resilience – it is…
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International Friendship Day
International Friendship Day was initially declared by the United Nations as a way to promote the idea of social harmony amongst different nations. It describes friendship (in the geographical context) as a means of fostering bonds of trust, understanding and respect (United Nations, 2011.) But what does this day mean to each one of us…
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Reflecting on International Women’s Day
Being a woman is a multifaceted and complex experience that is shaped by a variety of factors including biology, culture, society, and personal experiences. It can involve navigating social and political structures that have historically marginalised and oppressed women, as well as navigating personal identities and relationships. Leading up to International Women’s Day, I had…