The MindChat Podcast by SCHN

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Ben, 16, about his experiences growing up with autism and the challenges of navigating social anxiety. From overthinking how to ask a girl to go bowling to starting his first job, Ben shares honest reflections on everyday situations that feel much bigger when you’re neurodivergent. As Ben puts it: “You look at me and there’s no disability sign. I wouldn’t know how to speak to someone about it — i...

In this episode, Lauren chats with Georgia, 11, who lives with Crohn’s disease and has spent a lot of time in hospital. Georgia shares the creative techniques she’s developed to manage her anxiety around medical procedures, including giving her worries names and imagining friends that keep her company when things get tough. Joining them is Siobhain Lowthe, Mental Health Social Worker, who’s watched Georgia’s confidence grow over ti...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Nick and Paige, Peer Support Workers at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Both Nick and Paige experienced their own mental health struggles as teenagers and now use those lived experiences to support other young patients going through tough times. As Nick explains:  “A big issue in mental health is young people having to repeat their story a lot of times, so if they've just had a review and I'...

In this episode, we hear from Stephanie, a mum whose teenage son lives with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She shares how little she knew about the condition at first. Joining the conversation is Dr Iain Perkes, Clinical Director of Mental Health at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and founder of the first dedicated OCD Clinical Service for young people within the SCHN — a research-enabled program of work and the first of ...

In this episode, we hear from Victoria, 14, about what it’s like to live with a chronic illness and how it affects her mental health. “Being stuck in hospital and at home since I got sick has made me feel more upset… like I’m kind of useless to society.” Siew Koo, Clinical Psychologist at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, shares expert insights on how young people can manage these feelings and why supporting the emotional side ...