Lucky or unlucky?
The Australian tax payer paid lots of money to get me through basic Army training.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Then lots more in specialist medical training.
And then cross training in medical and administration.
My 14 years in the military were non-combatant years.
My time in the military is in no way comparable to our brave veterans.
I don't know if my service could be considered lucky or unlucky.
Would I join the Army as a teen in 2017?
No bloody way.
George Harley
Mount Isa
Warning about an upcoming film
I am writing on behalf of Headspace to issue a warning for parents, teachers and young people ahead of the Australian release of the new Netflix movie To the Bone.
As the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, we have joined other Australian mental health organisations in voicing our concerns around the films portrayal of anorexia nervosa.
The film focuses on the story of a young woman experience with the eating disorder.
While the complete film is yet to be shown in Australia, the trailer depicts some confronting images of her experience with the illness.
Many images have appeared on so called “thinspiration” websites, which glamorise eating disorders.
Research has shown that graphic imagery of people with eating disorders can be a potential trigger for at-risk, young people.
The concern is about the portrayal of behaviours associated with an eating disorder – and whether this may be providing a ‘how to’ guide for adolescents who may be at risk.
The creators of the movie – and those prompted by the film to discuss the issues – must be careful about framing the conversation in a way that is safe for young people.
We do not support any representation or discussion in the media, on TV, or anywhere else, that has the potential to place young people at risk.
Any broadcast or written material dealing with eating disorders should refrain from showing strategies or tactics around living with an eating disorder.
Headspace clinicians state that adolescence is a time of increased risk for the development of an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are a serious mental illness with long-term physical and psychological impacts.
They can have a significant impact on the family and friends of a person experiencing an eating disorder, as well as on the person themselves.
We need to be having the right conversation about the problem, and we need to be able to show parents, schools and young people where they can look to make this happen.
Jason Trethowan
Headspace CEO
Facebook feedback
People had a bit to say on the resurrection of Kalkatunga language in Mount Isa for the Naidoc Week theme of “language matters”.
Gary Osman – Great work Sherrie its time government agencies put funds towards teaching lanuage and paying teachers especially teaching youth should be complusory for all and track them tradional skills instead wasted money they spend with no real out comes for indigenous youth Instead them just tick and flick boxes fund your great work properly.
Robert Congoo - Be good to get it on audio for people who don't live in the area I for one would love to learn my ancestors language.
Astrid Bligh – Congratulation sister Sharee and everyone that's helping to save our language. Very proud of all you mob.