"Social media influencers often present a highly curated and filtered version of their lives, showcasing only the positive aspects. This can create unrealistic beauty standards, success and happiness for children. Constant exposure to this may lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-worth and dissatisfaction."

Dr Emma Woodward

"A sense of belonging involves more than simply knowing other people. It is also focused on gaining acceptance, attention, and support from others as well as having the opportunity to provide the same to other people."

Dr Emma Woodward

"The importance of celebrating Matariki as a country, for tamariki Māori, cannot be understated. When your culture is seen and valued by the wider populace, it is uplifting and fills our tamariki with a sense of pride."

Myles Ferris

“Resilience is the capacity to face, overcome, be strengthened and transformed by adversity. Never before, have parents needed the skills, the knowledge and the strategies to build resilience in their children as much as they do now."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“As human beings, our brains haven’t evolved fast enough to adapt to the digital world that we now live in. This means that the overload of messages that we receive through ever-present media platforms often results in stress, anxiety, and overwhelm."

Dr Emma Woodward

“Even if your family has not experienced as many lockdowns as some areas, the social, economic and psychological impacts over the coming months are uncertain. For many young people, it means that acquiring the skills for future independence remain in the balance."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Parents can help instil hope by encouraging their kids to see life as it is. Human beings, particularly young ones, hate uncertainty and often their natural response is to exhibit varying degrees of fear and anxiety."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“I’m seeing more depression and anxiety in all age groups, but in adolescents it seems to be on steroids. When they look into the future now, they’re looking at one that wasn’t what they envisioned before."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Consent is an agreement between people to engage in sexual activity. It means freely choosing to say yes to sexual activity without being pressured into it through guilt, threats or peer influence. It’s always got to be clearly communicated - there should be no ambiguity or doubt."

Dr Emma Woodward

“A formula in dealing with adolescents is force equals resistance. Sometimes it just isn’t possible to stop them doing whatever it is they want to do. Regardless of everything, all you want is for them to come home safe, so start the conversation today!"

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“The Coronavirus has turned our lives upside down and asked us all to navigate a ton of uncertainty about what happens next. These changes are confronting, creating a perfect storm for a rise in anxiety, depression and substance abuse problems amongst young people."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Some young people remain in denial as to the seriousness of the situation, but the truth is, Coronavirus continues to present a risk to the whole community. There’s a concern that many young people think it is business as usual."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Disappointment is a normal, though difficult, part of growing up and can be a tricky emotion to deal with at any age. How your children learn to respond to disappointment will determine its impact on their future achievement and happiness.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Our young people will take their lead from us. We need to let them know that we are taking the coronavirus seriously, but we are not panicking. This is not downplaying what is happening, it is just context.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Parents shouldn’t avoid talking about the coronavirus. Not talking about something can actually make young people worry more. Take the opportunity to convey the facts and set the emotional tone. Help your children feel informed and reassured.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg