Spotlight Session: Social Media and Mental Health
with clinical psychologist, Leisa Aitken
Date and time
Location
Anglican Deaconess Ministries
Office Suite 103, Level 1, St Andrew's House 464-480 Kent Street Sydney, NSW 2000 AustraliaRefund Policy
About this event
- 1 hour 30 minutes
Join clinical psychologist, Leisa Aitken as she takes a look with us at social media and mental health.
Managing our use of social media well is crucial, especially in light of research demonstrating the significant part it can play in worsening mental health. Like all technology, it not only transforms the world, it transforms us as we use it, in ways we may not be aware of.
This talk explores some of the benefits and harms of social media, including from a Christian lens.
It is also an opportunity to reflect on ways it can colour our psychological experience of ourselves and the world, the data on its impact on young people, an assessment tool for social media addiction, and practical strategies to help manage excessive use in children and teenagers, as well as using it thoughtfully ourselves.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, and are keen to attend this seminar, we have a limited number of tickets available at the reduced price of $10. Please email us at mentalhealthinstitute@mac.edu.au and we will be happy to provide you with a code.
Speaker: Leisa Aitken
Dr Leisa Aitken is a Coaching and Clinical Psychologist who has been counselling and teaching for more than 25 years in private practice, workplaces, psychiatric hospitals, and churches. Her PhD explored The Psychology of Hope, observing hope through Western history in philosophy, theology and psychology, as well as delineating four attributes needed to experience hope. She is therefore also interested in everyday barriers to hope, and social media addiction is one that she sees commonly in her clinical practice. Leisa is married to Michael and they have two adult daughters and a 60kg Rhodesian ridgeback. To manage her own mental health, she paddles an ocean ski (surf ski designed to ride ocean swell) on the beautiful Northern Beaches of Sydney.
MHPCI Spotlight Sessions 2024
Save these dates in your diaries:
13 May - Social Media and Mental Health with Leisa Aitken
17 June - Living with the Impact of Childhood Trauma with Ruth Holt
22 July - Social Anxiety with Lauren Errington
12 August - Burnout with Valerie Ling
9 September - Suicide Prevention with Sarah Piper
21 October - Depression with Lyn Worsley
11 November - Borderline Personality Disorder with Neil Jeyasingam
Frequently asked questions
A Spotlight Session is a monthly event, both in-person and online. The goal is to raise awareness and educate Christian believers and ministry workers about various mental health-related matters.
The Spotlight Sessions are hosted in our Anglican Deaconess Ministries space, on Level 1 of St Andrew's House, Sydney. It's located right above Town Hall station, so it is easy to reach if you are driving or using public transport. We will also live-stream the event each month.
There is a Wilson Parking station under St Andrews House. Please visit their website for availability and for booking: https://www.wilsonparking.com.au/parking-locations/new-south-wales/sydney-cbd/st-andrews-house-town-hall-car-park/
Catch a train, tram or bus to Town Hall station. St Andrew's House is located behind St Andrew's Cathedral. You can catch a lift up to Level 1 from the ground floor (look for the Red Cross and the elavators are to your left), or from Town Hall Square shopping arcade.