Clare Rowe on the Mental Health Industrial Complex

What if all our talk about mental health is making it harder for kids to cope with life?

Dr Justin Coulson sits down with educational and developmental psychologist Claire Rowe to unpack the rise of therapy speak, the dangers of labelling normal emotions as mental health problems, and why constantly checking in on how our kids feel might not be helping them. Discover how to support children through difficult feelings without teaching them to fear every bump in the road.

Key Points

• How therapy speak on social media is changing the way we see ourselves and others

• Why labelling children as anxious or sensitive can shape their identity

• When mental health labels help and when they go too far

• Why taking action and helping others can be more useful than constantly focusing inward

• How to build resilience without dismissing children's feelings

Quote of the Episode

“You can do hard things.” Claire Rowe

Resources Mentioned

• Claire Rowe Psychologist on Instagram

• Rowe and Associates, Sydney

• Lucy Foulkes, psychologist and researcher

• Sami Timimi, psychiatrist

• Abigail Shrier, author

Action Steps for Parents

• Talk about feelings using everyday words like worried, sad or disappointed rather than turning every emotion into a label.

• Remind your child that difficult feelings are normal and that asking for help is okay.

• Encourage them to take small steps through challenging situations instead of automatically avoiding them.

• Help them connect with others through family, friendships, sport, hobbies and community.

• Let your child know you are there to support them, even when they have a hard day.

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