As a psychologist, I continue to worry about the high level of medication of antipsychotic drugs and Ritalin being prescribed to kids in Australia and internationally.
A study by the University of Adelaide researchers in 2022 (Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56(11), 1477–1490 found that:
A recent article in The Economist “How to stop over–medicalising mental health" (7 Dec 2023) sounded the alarm that Britain is over-medicalising the population, and offered this important, timely advice:
YES, COMPASSION NEEDS TO BE COMPLEMENTED BY THOUGHTFULNESS.
This is what my book series offers.
https://www.belindakhong.com/lunar-new-year-animal-adventures-books-for-kids
My latest book–Dragon and Friends’ Mindful Adventures: The Great Race Again!, the third installment in the series, Lunar New Year Animal Books for Kids, is now published and will be officially launched in Sydney on Saturday, 23 March 2024 to celebrate the year of the Wood Dragon.
https://www.belindakhong.com/dragon-friends-mindful-adventures
The book promotes the important values of gratitude, appreciation, mindfulness, selflessness and compassion—important antidotes to many mental health problems.
Recently, I was invited to do a radio Interview with 2SER, Sydney. I discussed my concerns with the over-prescription of strong medication, and the impact of such powerful drugs on young minds. I further explored how we can foster kids’ well-being and development by encouraging them to learn from books that promote the integration of approaches from Eastern and Western psychologies and philosophies.
Listen to the 2SER radio interview here.
While medication has a role in managing some mental health issues, I believe that we can do better for our kids by offering them another approach that focuses on their strengths rather than their deficits.
YOUNG MINDS DESERVE BETTER THAN STRONG PRESCRIPTIVE MEDICATION!