Latest news with #GaborMate
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
We're awash with mental health advice. Meanwhile, a generation is getting sadder
Within a few minutes of scrolling through TikTok, the algorithm more familiar with my likes and my interests and my neuroses than my own mother, I've absorbed so many pieces of information about mental health that I barely notice that's what they are. There's a woman who says her mother is a narcissist. Who wouldn't respect her boundaries. Who ruined her wedding. There's an influencer who says he's traumatised by the onslaught of abuse from his followers. It's triggering, he says. Because of his lived experience. There's a 22-year-old sharing the three signs that mean you definitely have ADHD. A mum recalling the moment she received her autism diagnosis. A guy whose voice booms over inspirational music as he proclaims the power of doing 'the work'. I don't know what 'the work' is, who assigned it, who assesses it, or what happens when you complete it, but apparently everyone is doing it. It's become the cultural shorthand for figuring yourself out. For a long time, doing 'the work' probably included enlisting the help of a psychologist or some other trained professional who might help you identify your thoughts and behaviours, and how they might impact the people around you. Now, it's as simple as listening to self-improvement podcasts, reading the latest book from Mel Robbins or Gabor Mate, or, as I am right now, consuming social media content about mental health. The problem, of course, is that the majority of this social media content is wrong. Last month, a Guardian UK investigation found that of the top 100 videos posted under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag on TikTok, 52 contained misinformation, and many others were vague or unhelpful. When psychologists, psychiatrists and academic experts were consulted on the messages and advice put forward by creators, they expressed grave concerns. They argued the videos may create confusion about complex conditions, could pathologise everyday experiences and emotions, and might leave people feeling like failures when unsubstantiated 'tips' don't work.
The Age
6 days ago
- Health
- The Age
We're awash with mental health advice. Meanwhile, a generation is getting sadder
Within a few minutes of scrolling through TikTok, the algorithm more familiar with my likes and my interests and my neuroses than my own mother, I've absorbed so many pieces of information about mental health that I barely notice that's what they are. There's a woman who says her mother is a narcissist. Who wouldn't respect her boundaries. Who ruined her wedding. There's an influencer who says he's traumatised by the onslaught of abuse from his followers. It's triggering, he says. Because of his lived experience. There's a 22-year-old sharing the three signs that mean you definitely have ADHD. A mum recalling the moment she received her autism diagnosis. A guy whose voice booms over inspirational music as he proclaims the power of doing 'the work'. I don't know what 'the work' is, who assigned it, who assesses it, or what happens when you complete it, but apparently everyone is doing it. It's become the cultural shorthand for figuring yourself out. For a long time, doing 'the work' probably included enlisting the help of a psychologist or some other trained professional who might help you identify your thoughts and behaviours, and how they might impact the people around you. Now, it's as simple as listening to self-improvement podcasts, reading the latest book from Mel Robbins or Gabor Mate, or, as I am right now, consuming social media content about mental health. The problem, of course, is that the majority of this social media content is wrong. Last month, a Guardian UK investigation found that of the top 100 videos posted under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag on TikTok, 52 contained misinformation, and many others were vague or unhelpful. When psychologists, psychiatrists and academic experts were consulted on the messages and advice put forward by creators, they expressed grave concerns. They argued the videos may create confusion about complex conditions, could pathologise everyday experiences and emotions, and might leave people feeling like failures when unsubstantiated 'tips' don't work.
Miami Herald
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Mattel's AI deal raises fears of ‘real damage' to kids
I don't allow my children to play video games. They don't have smartwatches, iPads, or smartphones. And yet, nearly every child in my son's class has either a phone or a smartwatch. Is it hard to say no and explain that he can't have something every other kid has? Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Honestly, no - only because we believe that's the right thing to do. I am not trying to be too strict or rigid. I support providing them with basic knowledge of technology, but there should be balance. Related: TSA bans these common children's toys from airplanes They should be able to play - really play - outside in the mud, or inside with simple non-electric toys. It's then they actually use their mind, start to be creative, and feel the excitement of creating or discovering something new. "Playing is essential for human brain development, much more than cognitive functioning. Much more important than learning facts. It's play that helps the brain develop. We know that this is a scientific fact," explains Gabor Mate, a Canadian physician and an expert on trauma, addiction, stress, and childhood development. Today it seems harder than ever to foster kids' healthy development, as we are surrounded by technology. And toy producers keep pushing upgrades that seem not only unnecessary, but sometimes even scary. Barbie maker Mattel (MAT) has been making toys for 80 years, during which it has become one of the leading global toy manufacturers, and the creator of franchises cherished by kids and families around the world. On June 12, the toy giant unveiled a strategic partnership with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. The idea behind the collaboration is to "bring the magic of AI to age-appropriate play experiences, with an emphasis on innovation, privacy, and safety," reads the press release. Related: Iconic toy store chain closing stores once again This begs the question - is there such a thing as safe interaction between a child and a chatbot? I sincerely doubt it. "Each of our products and experiences is designed to inspire fans, entertain audiences, and enrich lives through play," Mattel Chief Franchise Officer Josh Silverman said. "AI has the power to expand on that mission and broaden the reach of our brands in new and exciting ways. Our work with OpenAI will enable us to leverage new technologies to solidify our leadership in innovation and reimagine new forms of play." Entertain, inspire, excite, bring new forms of play? Do children really need new forms of play? More Retail: Huge retail chain suddenly closing hundreds of storesMajor retailer scores huge benefit from Joann bankruptcyHome Depot, Target, Ulta and more strike back at retail crime From my experience, you can just give children a little bit of sand, water, small branches, and some rocks. It would make them more than happy, playing for hours. More importantly, it would force them to be creative and develop their own exciting games. I am not alone in my concerns about the idea of ChatGPT-powered toys. Child welfare experts and advocacy groups such as Public Citizen are starting to warn about the potential dangers of this collaboration, writes The Independent. "Children do not have the cognitive capacity to distinguish fully between reality and play," Public Citizen Co-president Robert Weissman stated. Weissman noted that risks include "real damage" to children, undermining social development and impacting the their ability to form peer relationships. Even adults have been known to have dangerous "relationships" with AI chatbots. Why? Aarhus University Psychiatry Professor Søren Dinesen Østergaard explains that "the correspondence with AI chatbots such as Chat is so realistic that one easily gets the impression that there is a real person at the other end." Now imagine the still-developing child's brain in that position. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said his company focuses on safety measures to protect vulnerable users. Related: Wendy's adds old-school toys to take on McDonald's Happy Meal Another important question for parents and caregivers: Is it worth it? Are there any actual benefits of ChatGPT-powered toys for children, or just potential risks? What's more, if simple iPads and smartphones are known to threaten children's development, what about a more powerful toy? Remember, playing is an important part of growing up and helps your child explore the world. While Mate did not comment on Mattel or its OpenAI collaboration, he talked about the general dangers of children's dependence on technology. "We've deprived our children of play. This [showing smartphone] is not play," Mate said. "These kids with their iPads at one year old have been robbed of their capacity to play. And the companies design these gadgets to make these kids addicted." Mate concludes with the words of his friend, an endocrinologist, saying, "What we have here is hacking of the American mind." There are still no details on exactly how OpenAI's technology will be integrated into Mattel's new toys, but hopefully, it ends up being one of those experiments that gets scrapped before it even starts. Related: Classic toy store chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Al Jazeera
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Gabor Mate on Trauma and Palestinian Suffering
In this episode of Centre Stage, our guest is Dr Gabor Mate, a retired physician, author and Holocaust survivor who has written extensively on trauma and child development, as well as Israel and Palestine. Mate talks about the colonial foundations of Zionism, how living under it has traumatised Palestinians and the ways mainstream media distorts the realities on the ground in Gaza. Phil Lavelle is a TV news correspondent at Al Jazeera.
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
‘We're living between hope and despair': the Australian groups taking action to support Gaza
News comes out of Gaza in a constant feed of photos and videos: civilians dying of starvation under Israel's blockade, Palestinians shot dead while rushing to food distribution points, tents housing displaced people engulfed by flames. More than 14,000km away in Sydney, there is an overwhelming sense of grief, frustration and rage, Ziyad Serhan says. The high school teacher who heads Educaid – an organisation focused on increasing mental health literacy among culturally diverse communities – has been hosting events to help people cope, from group healing circles to educational events with guests such as Jewish trauma expert Dr Gabor Mate and British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa, who worked at al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'We are watching a live-streamed genocide for the last 600 days,' Serhan says. 'It is very, very important we have community spaces like this.' People came from all over New South Wales to the Morning Owl Cafe in Auburn to listen to Mustafa talk about his missions to Gaza. '[It was] an opportunity to hear from him about how we can transform those many emotions that we're feeling into meaningful actions, which is what he's done,' Serhan says. Across the country, people have been responding to Israel's bombardment of Gaza in myriad ways: vigils and petitions, charity chocolates, protests and hunger strikes. But as frustration has built over the government's lack of response, some have tried to take direct action by going to Palestine to work, volunteer and attempt to deliver aid. 'No matter how many emails we send, no matter how much we do, [politicians] don't listen and they don't act,' says Yossra Aboul-Fadl, a pharmacist who organised a panel of medical professionals from the Illawarra who had been to Gaza. 'We're not going to wait for them to do the right things. We're going to do it ourselves.' There is a waiting list of doctors applying to go to Gaza with some organisations, Dr Ayman Elattar says. 'For health professionals worldwide … it's becoming more and more obvious that we can't just sit and be complacent,' the emergency specialist says. 'Especially [because] we are the only profession that are allowed in.' Elattar spoke on Aboul-Fadl's panel in Wollongong, alongside Dr Aziz Bhimani, Dr Mohammed Mustafa, the executive director for Illawarra Women's Health Centre, Sally Stevenson, and activist and social worker Assala Sayara. He went on his medical mission in April, during Israel's aid blockade of the strip. Everything Elattar believes about humanity has deteriorated after his time there, he says. 'Lots of patients, innocent kids and women and teenagers, could have been saved if the right response [had been] allowed to happen.' Bhimani, an orthopaedic surgeon, went to Al-Aqsa hospital in Gaza for two weeks last April, where about 80% of his patients were women and children. 'It was difficult because it was injuries on young kids, just over and over again. And these kids were all coming in with either their limbs mangled or completely blown off.' Medical services in Gaza have been 'completely depleted', he says. 'When you talk to the surgeons, the staff there, they had everything they needed prior to the war.' Elattar says his work became more than providing an emergency clinical response – it was supplying equipment, offering emotional support, and being a spokesperson to the world. 'I managed to get them some handheld machines, ultrasound [equipment] that can help them with trauma scenarios,' Elattar says. 'That is like a lifeline to them, because no medicine [has been] allowed [in] … no single truck with food, medicine, equipment, spare parts, anything. 'No foreign journalists are allowed in,' he says. 'Part of being there, you know that you have to maximise your presence.' Bhimani says the 'genocide that we're seeing in Gaza is the moral crisis of our time'. 'My perspective was, how do I not do something about it? Aboul-Fadl was overwhelmed by how many people showed up on the night of the panel. 'People want to know the truth,' she says. 'They want to hear from first-hand experiences … It gives them an idea of what's happening on the ground.' Serhan says people at his event in Auburn 'came searching for answers', many asking Mustafa 'what else can we do?' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion In Wangaratta, rural Victoria, Emily Scott has been organising protests and vigils demanding a free Palestine with the group North East Mums for Peace for a year. 'I just don't know how you can see what's going on and not care,' she says. Locals gathered in the rain on Sunday, all wearing red. Scott spoke to the crowd: 'How many more red lines must be crossed before the world says enough? How many more vigils must we hold before those in power act with courage instead of cowardice?' Petitions have been part of a similar push. 'We've reached a stage that it's not just about funding … it's about sanctions. It's about consequences,' Aboul-Fadl says. More than 1,000 health professionals signed the open letter she organised in three days. It demands an increase in support for humanitarian organisations to ensure Australian aid reaches civilians in Gaza, sustained diplomatic pressure to lift Israel's blockade, increased advocacy for a permanent ceasefire, and facilitating emergency relief corridors for aid distribution and evacuation of critically ill patients. And a petition by Jewish Women 4 Peace and Oz Jews Say No calling on community leaders 'to recognise, engage respectfully, and properly represent the many people in our community who don't support what the Netanyahu-led government is doing,' has received almost 700 signatures. They also launched a full-page advertisement in Nine newspapers in February, headlined 'Australian Jews say no to ethnic cleansing', in response to Trump's proposal for a US takeover of Gaza. 'I think that the momentum is building, and hopefully we're contributing in a small but significant way to that momentum,' Corrine Fagueret, the group's co-chair, says. Aboul-Fadl sometimes asks herself: 'Is what I'm doing enough? 'Is what I am doing working? Is it reaching the people in Gaza? Do they know that we are working for them? 'I feel like we're living in a world that the international law gets violated with no consequences … That the government of this country don't understand how to stand up for the right thing and how to take action. 'We've actually lost trust in the government.' Bhimani says, 'We can talk about this, and almost everyone accepts what's happening is wrong, but moving on to the next step seems the challenge.' And Elattar says he can no longer listen to politicians. 'Whatever they say or talk about, any empty slogans, it's just cheap talk. 'The problem is much more than a money or aid thing, because you can donate, and it will not be allowed in. 'People will regret a lot being silent. And once the borders are open … you will find stories after stories of something that humanity should be ashamed of.' Serhan recalls from his event in Auburn that 'Dr Mo said … as Palestinians and as human beings we're at a tipping point in history, and we're living between hope and despair.' He tries to be hopeful. 'We can't lose our hope, and we need to continue standing up. We can't do this individually. We have to do this collectively.'
