Adolescence is a time of great change, when young people take on new roles and responsibilities, renegotiate relationships with adults, peers, and the community, and experiment with things symbolic of adult life. These developmental tasks are often accompanied by the adoption of risk-taking behaviours that compromise health and wellbeing. It is the extent to which an adolescent engages in health-risk behaviours, and the overall impact of these behaviours on personal health and development, that are of increasing public health concern.

The research suggests that young people who participate in multiple risk-taking behaviours not only increase the chance of damaging their health but may be masking serious psychological problems.

Given that Australia is experiencing a significant and sustained increase in anxiety, depression, and non suicidal self injury, it has never been more important to facilitate the early assessment, prompt diagnosis and treatment of young people. Early intervention is associated with a much better outcome. This workshop is essential for those working with young people in education, health, sport, community and welfare.

Using an entertaining and informative mix of didactic teaching, interactive quiz, group discussion and case studies, participants will:

1. Learn the most up to date research on the nature and extent of the problems facing teenagers with a focus on high prevalence disorders such as
anxiety, depression and substance abuse
2. Understand and use key assessment paradigms:

the key developmental tasks of adolescence
risk and protective factor framework
a key screening tool
a model for building resilience
the risk and protective factor framework
the four world model

3. Practice the use of these paradigms in a group context

PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED - IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESERVE YOUR TRAINING ASAP.