ACDHS Update – January 2026

Jan 28, 2026 | 0 comments

Welcome to the first ACDHS Update for 2026

We hope you had a restorative break and are feeling refreshed as the new year begins!

This edition includes important updates, resources, and opportunities across our network. As always, we appreciate the ongoing engagement and contributions of our members, and we look forward to another productive and impactful year working together.

 

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Feature Story: Australia’s Social Media Age Ban: What It Means for Youth Wellbeing and Learning
  • Research Round Up
  • Mental Health First Aid Update
  • Events, Conferences, Opportunities & Resources
  • Jobs Board

Feature Story

Australia’s Social Media Age Ban: What It Means for Youth Wellbeing and Learning

Australia has taken a world-leading step in digital policy, with the introduction of a national ban on children under 16 holding personal social media accounts on major platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X. The move reflects growing concern about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, attention, and brain development, and has reignited debate about how best to support children in an increasingly digital world.

Many researchers and clinicians agree that social media platforms are not neutral spaces. They are deliberately designed to capture and hold attention, using infinite scrolling, notifications, and emotionally charged content to activate the brain’s reward systems. Neuroscientist Associate Professor Susannah Tye has described how this constant stimulation can encourage habitual “doomscrolling”, reinforcing impulsive patterns of behaviour and making it harder for young brains to sustain focus, regulate emotions, and engage in deeper thinking. Over time, this may compete with the development of skills essential for learning, reflection and resilience.

Emerging research supports these concerns. Large population studies have found links between increased social media use and higher levels of inattention in children, even when other forms of screen use show weaker or no effects. While the impact on any one child may be small, the cumulative effect across thousands of young people raises important questions for educators, clinicians and families.

At the same time, experts caution against viewing social media as the sole driver of youth mental health challenges. Young people’s wellbeing is shaped by a complex mix of social, educational, economic and family factors. Digital platforms can also offer connection, identity exploration and support, particularly for those who may feel isolated offline. The challenge lies in managing risk without losing these potential benefits.

University of Queensland researchers have highlighted that restrictions alone are unlikely to solve the problem. They argue that education in digital literacy, emotional regulation and online safety must sit alongside regulation. Schools and allied health professionals have a critical role in helping young people understand how online environments influence behaviour, attention and self-worth, and in building skills that allow them to engage with technology more consciously.

Australia’s age ban is therefore best seen as one part of a broader public health response. It signals a shift towards recognising digital environments as spaces that shape development, not just entertainment. For allied health professionals, this moment presents an opportunity to contribute to evidence-informed conversations, support families navigating change, and strengthen preventive approaches that promote healthy attention, emotional wellbeing and resilience in young people.

As the policy unfolds, its real impact will depend not only on enforcement, but on how well it is paired with education, support and thoughtful engagement across health, education and community sectors.

RESEARCH ROUND UP

Australian Digital Mental Health Innovation Set for Global Expansion

An innovative Australian digital mental health platform is preparing for international rollout following a significant funding boost that will support its next phase of development and evaluation.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with mental health institute Orygen, have secured $14 million in funding from global charitable foundation Wellcome to advance and scale their award-winning digital mental health service, MOST.

Originally developed as an integrated platform combining evidence-based therapy, peer support, clinical care and vocational support, MOST is already integrated into more than 400 youth mental health services across Australia and has demonstrated strong effectiveness in reducing anxiety and depression among young people aged 12–25.

The project will evolve MOST into MOST-Nexus, a next-generation platform enhanced with AI-driven personalisation designed to tailor care more precisely to individual needs. This adaptive approach aims to optimise engagement, improve outcomes and ease pressure on overstretched mental health systems by delivering more timely and targeted support.

Phase one of the initiative focuses on building the MOST-Nexus platform, while phase two will test and adapt the solution internationally, with planned evaluation in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Researchers intend to establish a scalable, cost-effective model of youth mental health care that can be integrated into existing services – including in low-resource settings.

University and research leaders emphasise that this collaboration underscores the strength of Australian research in shaping global responses to the youth mental health crisis and reflects growing international recognition of digital and personalised care solutions.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Update

The 2026 MHFA course links and promotional flyers have now been distributed to participating institutions. These materials include the direct course registration links needed to promote the courses to your students and staff.

If you have not yet received your course links or flyers, or if you require additional copies or alternative formats, please contact leonie@acdhs.edu.au. Leonie is also happy to assist with any questions regarding course delivery, scheduling, promotion, or general participation in the MHFA program for 2026.

MHFA Instructor Training Course (ITC) – Registrations Now Open
MHFA Instructor Training Course registrations are now open. The link to register can be found in the ITC Applicant Instructions.

The 2026 ITC dates and application deadlines are as follows:

2026 Course dates Application Deadline
4-8 May 23 March
22-26 June 11 May
3-7 August 22 June
7-11 September 27 July
12-16 October 31 August

Institutions planning to train new MHFA instructors in 2026 are encouraged to review these dates early and support suitable applicants to apply within the relevant deadlines.

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

EVENTS

    OPPORTUNITIES

    Ability Action Australia Graduate Program

    Applications Open For 2026 intakes

    Program Length: 12 months
    Features: Offers structured support and career pathways for new allied health graduates.

    RESOURCES

    While this guide was developed in Aotearoa New Zealand, its insights into allied health career development are relevant to all allied health professionals. Te Awa Tārai – A Career Development Guide for Allied Health – Hauora Haumi provides a thoughtful framework for recognising diverse pathways, building skills, reflecting on professional growth and planning future development. It highlights stages of career progression and encourages reflective practice and ongoing skill enhancement that many in our sector will find useful in shaping their own career journeys. Download HERE.

    Jobs Board

    VIC
    QLD
    TAS
    SA
    NT
    WA
    NSW

    Know someone (or something) we should celebrate?

     

    Member Acknowledgements recognise significant achievements, honours, and contributions across our ACDHS community. If you, or a colleague, have recently received an award, fellowship, major appointment, or other noteworthy recognition, we would love to hear from you.

    Please email brief details (and a photo if available) so we can feature them in an upcoming Update. (leonie@acdhs.edu.au)

    Feedback & Engagement

    Have a story or research achievement to share? We’d love to hear about it!

    leonie@acdhs.edu.au.

    Thank you for reading the ACDHS Update. We look forward to bringing you more inspiring stories and valuable updates next month.

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    We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Australia’s lands and waters and their enduring connection to Country. As an education and health sciences association, we recognise the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping holistic approaches to learning, wellness, and healthcare. We honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past and present, and their custodianship of knowledge embedded in the land. In paying our respects to Elders, we commit to fostering cultural understanding and partnerships for equitable and inclusive education and healthcare.