“All the transitions are important, but the transition to high school is unique due to the cognitive and emotional changes students are undergoing during this stage of their development. Starting high school can feel exciting and challenging, sometimes both at the same time!"

Dr Emma Woodward

“The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant time of change. It comes with a number of mixed feelings. So much is changing and they’re about to start a whole new set of subjects, meet new people, create new friendships and take on new challenges."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“A formula in dealing with adolescents is force equals resistance. Sometimes it just isn’t possible to stop them doing whatever it is they want to do. Regardless of everything, all you want is for them to come home safe, so start the conversation today!"

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Children who spend more time with their fathers during adolescence, usually have better social skills and a higher self-worth than those who do not. Fathers need to get in there and be involved, even if they get pushed away. Being persistent and present is important."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Research shows there are specific risk factors that increase the likelihood of teenagers developing a mental health problem. Some are set in stone, and others are modifiable. It can impact their ability to function and perform normal activities."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Whilst most children are resilient and seem to be demonstrating a remarkable capacity to manage this challenging time, others are not faring as well. This makes it really important for parents to be vigilant for any signs of distress."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Disappointment is a normal, though difficult, part of growing up and can be a tricky emotion to deal with at any age. How your children learn to respond to disappointment will determine its impact on their future achievement and happiness.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

"It’s no secret that the end of school can be a huge source of anxiety for both students and parents alike. Final year students suffer from high-level anxiety or stress, with many also suffering from depression."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

"Starting at a new school is a big deal! Your child is going to meet lots of new people and be thrown into new situations. That’s bound to make them feel lots of different emotions."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

"Studies show an increase in mental health problems among survivors immediately after a major disaster. Children especially are vulnerable to experiencing feelings of loss of safety, fear or apprehension following exposure to images seen on TV, the internet or in newspapers."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

"For many Christmas is a wonderful day filled with family, friends, gifts, good food and good times. But for some people, the reality is often quite different due to increased loneliness and hardship."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

"Some psychologists worry that fears around the projected impacts of climate change may lead to a learned helplessness or hopelessness. ‘Eco-anxiety’ has begun to emerge in pre-schoolers, primary and secondary students."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“The series is confronting viewing. It’s not easy to watch, as a young person or an adult, but it shouldn’t be. It should make us nervous and wake us up.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Many parents today are afflicted with a Vitamin N deficiency…the inability to say, “No” to their children. It's incredibly important that parents set limits and boundaries. The consequences of bad parenting has both short and long-term effects.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Terrorism is not an ideology like communism or capitalism. Rather, it is a tactic, a strategy, used to achieve a specific end. The violence we saw in Christchurch is designed to create fear in the targeted population.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg