The Jacaranda Centre

15/12/2025

Amongst the incomprehensible, help children maintain hope in humans by looking toward the helpers 💖

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DC7NneH1D/

When there's a tragedy - when evil is unleashed on the world - people often share the quote ascribed to Fred Rogers that we should "look for the helpers".

If your kids are struggling to comprehend this incomprehensible massacre on our shores, here are some helpers you can point to:

1. The hero who tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, was just passing by when he heard the shooting. With no fi****ms or self-defence training, he charged one of the gunmen from behind, wrestled the rifle away, and pointed it back at the attacker - forcing him to retreat.

Ahmed was shot twice in the struggle and is recovering in hospital. Countless people are alive because he didn't hesitate. I find myself in tears just thinking about what he did. Heroism is not a big enough word for me here.

2. The police and ambos who risked their lives and gave all they had to protect and preserve life.

Emergency responders flooded the scene, literally putting themselves in the firing line.

Two police officers were shot while protecting the community and are currently in serious but stable condition after surgery. They ran toward danger while others ran away. I am in awe.

3. The woman who shielded a little girl throughout the shooting.

A father searching desperately for his daughter found a stranger lying on top of her, protecting her with her own body. The woman had been shot but told him: "I've got your daughter, I've been protecting her."

He said to her, "You've saved my daughter's life. I'll be indebted to you for the rest of my life." How do you ever thank a person for that kind of courage? For that level of sacrifice?

4. The everyday people who performed CPR, applied pressure to wounds, and gave first aid.

Footage shows civilians crouched beside victims, performing CPR, stemming bleeding, moving the injured to safety - all while uncertain if the danger had passed. Bystanders rendered aid for 40 minutes to keep victims alive until paramedics could take over.

5. The countless people who have lined up to give blood.

The lines at donation centres snaked around buildings this morning. Lifeblood issued urgent calls for O-negative blood, and Australians showed up. Blood banks are now working to open additional appointments because so many people want to help.

In the face of unspeakable hatred, look at what humanity offers in return: courage, sacrifice, protection, healing, solidarity.

That's what you tell your children. Evil tried to win yesterday. The world can be brutal. But look at all these helpers.

14/12/2025

🖤🖤 Please pause to read this brief advice below 👇from Justin Coulson, Psychologist, for parents and teachers to support children and young people with the unfolding events of the Bondi shooting event tonight.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Evri3ai2E/

Send a message to learn more

05/12/2025

Thanks to Lake Macquarie City Football club for the shout out!
At The Jacaranda Centre we strive to support kids and young people however we can, and being able to support local sport is a privilege!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AWs8nUxPz/

Lake Macquarie City FC would like to thank the team from the The Jacaranda Centre for their support of the club!

At The Jacaranda Centre we are committed to providing high quality and personalised clinical therapy and assessment services to children and their families, in a warm and inviting environment that lets you know we care.

We support parents and carers of children of all ages with strategies to manage and understand complex behaviours, emotional regulation, anxiety, grief, loss, neurological disorders and psychological difficulties

22/10/2025

Why bedtime isn’t the battle you think it is…

If your child becomes restless, talkative or anxious at bedtime, you're not alone - and it’s not bad parenting.

For kids with ADHD, falling asleep isn’t simple. Their brains don’t get the usual melatonin “wind-down” signal on time. And when the world gets quiet, their thoughts get louder.

They’re not stalling, they’re trying to manage a busy mind.

💡 What can help:

• Swap screens for calming music or audiobooks
• Try a “worry dump” notebook before lights out
• Let them wake naturally when possible

💜Struggling with ADHD-related sleep challenges or bedtime battles? We offer ADHD assessments and therapy sessions to help bring the calm back to bedtime.

✅ Immediate availability!
Feel free to call us on 02 4954 8822 to book your first appointment

20/09/2025

We love sharing what we know, whether to support a client's journey or support, guide and provide a fresh perspective for colleagues in the allied health space. On Thursday our Director, Clinical Psychologist Emma Langham, was invited to discuss the psychologist's perspective on supporting kids with emotion regulation to a mentoring group of Occupational Therapists led by Rachel Elliot of Nurturing Connections. The discussion led to some great reflection points around how both OTs and Psychologists overlap in their assessments and interventions for emotion regulation with key strengths from both. Consultation between disciplines can be of incredible benefit to clients to ensure every angle is supported.

During group supervision with Emma Langham, clinical psychologist and founder of The Jacaranda Centre we explored emotional regulation through both the OT and psychology lenses - and it led to some powerful reflections.

We realised how often we're describing the same child experience using completely different language. Where OTs speak about interoception and sensory modulation, psychologists talk about body cues and biological responses.

It made us pause and ask - how do families make sense of this? And how can we bridge the gap to support them better?

So grateful for this collaborative space.

30/08/2025

At The Jacaranda Centre, we see every day how the digital world shapes the wellbeing of children and young people📱

While technology can be positive, research shows that owning a smartphone too early can increase risks of poor mental health outcomes in later life.
Early smartphone and social media use is linked to disrupted sleep, increased cyberbullying, poorer emotional regulation, and lower self-worth. These challenges can shape a child’s development and carry into adulthood.

Supporting children’s digital safety means setting age-appropriate limits, having open conversations about online experiences, and prioritising balance with offline activities. Protecting young minds today lays the foundation for healthier, more resilient adults tomorrow💡💜

28/08/2025

Children deserve a safe digital environment 📲

Research shows that owning a smartphone too early can have long-lasting impacts on mental health and wellbeing.

To protect developing minds, experts recommend introducing digital literacy education before children access social media, enforcing stricter age limits on platforms, and delaying smartphone access until at least 13.

By putting these safeguards in place, we could prevent up to 20% of suicidal thoughts in young people while building the foundations of resilience, self-confidence, and healthy relationships that last into adulthood 💜



Source: Thiagarajan, T. C., et al. (2025). Protecting the Developing Mind in a Digital Age: A Global Policy Imperative. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 26(3), 493–504. https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2025.2518313

27/08/2025

📱 Did you know that owning a smartphone before age 13 is linked to poorer mind health in young adulthood?

Research shows early smartphone access can increase risks of suicidal thoughts, detachment from reality, disrupted sleep, and diminished self-worth.

This isn’t just a parenting challenge, it’s a public health issue 🚸

Recent research highlights the link between technology use and mental health outcomes in young adulthood – dive in deeper here for the full article - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/19452829.2025.2518313?download=true

🌳💜Here are some resources to assist you in the parenting journey around device safety –

esafety.gov.au/parents

raisingchildren.net.au/guides/online-safety

headspace.org.au

https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-02/G_CSS_ChildSafeCodeofConduct.pdf

16/08/2025

Being bullied doesn’t just hurt in the moment, it can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health

🌳 Children and teens who are bullied are more likely to experience:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Low self-esteem

• Difficulty trusting others

💜 And it doesn’t always stop in childhood. Many adults who were bullied as kids still carry the emotional impact years later.

At The Jacaranda Centre, we help children, teens, and adults unpack the effects of bullying in a safe and supportive space.

💬 This , let’s take the mental health side of bullying seriously. Reach out if you or someone you love needs support.

14/08/2025

When a child shares they’re being bullied, it can be hard to know what to say or do.

Here are some simple, helpful steps to guide your response:

💜 Stay calm.
Your reaction sets the tone. Try not to show anger, fear, or panic.

🌳 Listen fully.
Be present. Let them talk at their own pace, and don’t rush to solve.

💜 Reassure them.
Let them know it’s not their fault and they are not alone.

🌳Believe them.
No matter how it seems to you, take it seriously.

💜 Make a plan together.
Involve a trusted adult or school contact. Reach out for professional support.

At The Jacaranda Centre, we support both parents and children through these difficult conversations. We’re here to help both you and your child feel supported, heard, and equipped to move forward.

14/08/2025

This week is ‘Bullying No Way Week’ (11 - 15 August 2025)

Across Australia, schools, families, and communities are joining forces under the 2025 theme: “Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up.”

At the Jacaranda Centre, we know that bullying, whether in classrooms, online, or beyond, can deeply impact mental health and self‑worth. That’s why we’re committed to helping individuals of all ages heal, build confidence, and stand up with courage and empathy 💜🌳

This week, let’s all embrace compassion and connection. A tiny act of kindness or a brave voice can spark real change.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing bullying, know that support is available. You don’t have to face it alone ♥️

09/08/2025

On Monday 4th August, we acknowledged National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and honouring the voices, rights, and futures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across the nation.

At The Jacaranda Centre, we are privileged to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. We recognise the importance of culturally safe and inclusive support, and remain committed to contributing toward closing the gap 🌳💜