Positive Choices
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positivechoices.bsky.social
Positive Choices
@positivechoices.bsky.social
45 followers 66 following 54 posts
Positive Choices is an online portal to help Australian schools and communities access trusted, evidence-based alcohol and other drug education resources.
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positivechoices.bsky.social
Did you receive our final e-Newsletter for 2025?
Check your inbox 📩 or access the newsletters below:

🧑‍🏫 Teachers & health workers: mailchi.mp/positivec...
👪 Parents & families: mailchi.mp/positivec...

Didn't receive an email from us? Subscribe here: positivechoices.org....
School educational related imagery such as a computer keyboard, pens, notepad etc. with the Positive Choices logo and the following text: "November 2025 e-Newsletter Out now"
November 25, 2025 at 12:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Have you registered yet for our free webinar this Wednesday 26th November at 12pm Sydney time?
positivechoices.org....

#JustAnnounced | Dr Lauren Gardner and Mrs Natalie Gorgioski will also be joined by David Brown, Dean of Students at Scotch College Melbourne!
Image with the following text: "FREE WEBINAR From the lab to the classroom: Real world implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention and mental health programs” and the Positive Choices logo overlayed on a photo with a high school teacher and student. On the right of the image, we have the following text: "Wed 26th November 2025 12:00pm AEDT" and then "Presented by Dr Lauren Gardner and Mrs Natalie Gorgioski" above the presenter's headshots, OurFutures and Preventure logos.
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
If your teenager is attending #Schoolies or #LeaversWeek, it's normal to feel worried for their safety and wellbeing. This factsheet offers advice on how to talk to your teen about staying safe + ways that you can support them while they're away from home: positivechoices.org....
Image depicting a group of teenagers watching their friend jump into a pool, and a call-out with the text: "Factsheet Schoolies/Leavers' week: What parents can do to keep their teenager safe" and the Positive Choices logo on the top right. Image with the following text: "Checklist for talking to your teen about Schoolies..." as well as five bullet points with the following text: "1. Alcohol and other drug related harms; 2. The law; 3. Dealing with peer pressure; 4. General safety concerns; and; 5. How and when you'll keep in touch"
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Designed to help health practitioners quickly find high-quality digital tools to support all Australians, access it below!

1. View online: www.emhprac.org.au/d...
2. Download PDF: www.emhprac.org.au/r...
3. Order a free hard copy: www.emhprac.org.au/e...
Image with the text: "NEW EDITION" and below it, a graphic of the latest August 2025 edition of eMHPrac's Australian Digital Mental Health Directory.
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Positive Choices is proud to feature in eMHPrac's new edition of the Australian Digital Mental Health Directory for Health Practitioners! The eMHPrac Directory is a comprehensive list of safe, evidence-based Australian digital #MentalHealth services.
Image with the Positive Choices logo next to the eMHPrac logo and their slogan: "E-MENTAL HEALTH IN PRACTICE" followed by the text: Digital Mental Health Resource Directory" Below this, a graphic of a laptop displaying Positive Choices as a resource listed on the online version of eMHPrac's Australian Digital Mental Health Directory.
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Did you know that several of our parenting resources are available in Arabic, Hindi, Simplified Chinese and Simplified English? To access #DrugEducation materials for #CALD communities, visit positivechoices.org....
Image with the following text: "Check out our drug education resources suitable for people from culturally & linguistically diverse communities!" Below this, a graphic depicting a group of people from various cultural backgrounds, as well as speech boxes featuring Arabic, Hindi and Simplified Chinese, as well as the Positive Choices logo.
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
This Sunday is #InternationalDayForTolerance! A day dedicated to defending and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as diversity of knowledge.
Image with the following text: "International Day For Tolerance | 16 November" Below this, a graphic depicting several hands of various skin tones creating a circle around Planet Earth, as well as various graphics depicting the Protea plant, symbolic of diversity.
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Designed by students and teachers, for students and teachers, more than 850 #AustralianSchools are already delivering the program. Results show after completion students are 65% less likely to vape!

Interested? Access the program or learn more here: positivechoices.org....
Image with with the text "NEW Recommended program OurFutures: Vaping Module" and a graphic of a laptop computer screen displaying the OurFutures Vaping logo, as well as the text: "Vaping Prevention Education Program for High School Students" along side the OurFutures Vaping cartoon characters.
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Interested to hear how evidence-based substance use prevention & mental health programs are being implemented in Australian schools?

Register for our free webinar presented by @matildacentreusyd.bsky.social's Dr Lauren Gardner & Natalie Gorgioski on Wednesday 26th Nov!
positivechoices.org....
Image with the following text: "FREE WEBINAR From the lab to the classroom: Real world implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention and mental health programs” and the Positive Choices logo overlayed on a photo with a high school teacher and student. On the right of the image, we have the following text: "Wed 26th November 2025 12:00pm AEDT" and then "Presented by Dr Lauren Gardner and Mrs Natalie Gorgioski" above the presenter's headshots, OurFutures and Preventure logos.
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Want to learn about the reasons behind this decline in youth drinking? Check out our webinar recording presented by A/Prof Michael Livingston: positivechoices.org....
Image split into two. On the left hand side, the text: "FREE webinar recording: Declines in youth drinking - an unexpected development" Below this, the text: "Presented by A/Prof Michael Livingston" followed by a portrait of the presenter and the Positive Choices logo. On the right hand side, an photo depicting two young adults sitting at a bunch drinking alcohol.
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
#NewResearch | A recent study has revealed younger Australians are drinking less alcohol than previous generations. #GenZ—followed by #Millennials—are far more likely to abstain and drink less overall compared to #BabyBoomers. Read more: onlinelibrary.wiley....
Image split into two. On the left hand side, the text: "Research News" overlayed on a background of Positive Choices branded green colour. On the right hand side, an photo depicting the hands of two young women each holding a mixed alcoholic drinks at a party.
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
The transition from high school to tertiary education can be an exciting time for your teen, but it can also have an impact on their #mentalhealth + behaviours around #alcohol. On this final day of #MentalHealthMonth, read our blog post for tips on navigating this transition: positivechoices.org....
Image with Positive Choices logo and the text: "In The Know blog post: Transitioning from high school to tertiary education and what it can mean for mental health". Image also feature a group of young adults talking while strolling through a University campus.
October 31, 2025 at 1:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
As a parent, guardian or family member, you can have a big impact on teenager’s lives and the decisions they make. Read our factsheet on how families can protect teenagers against drug related harms: positivechoices.org....
Image with the following text: "HOW CAN FAMILIES PROTECT TEENAGERS AGAINST DRUG RELATED HARMS?" followed by a graphic of a mother and father embracing their teenage son. Image with the text: "HERE'S 8 USEFUL TIPS!" Image with the following 8 useful tips: 1. BE SUPPORTIVE. 2. BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL. 3. BUILD & MAINTAIN POSITIVE AND STRONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. 4. ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THEIR LEARNING. 5. REDUCE AVAILABILITY OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. 6. ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. 7. PROVIDE THEM WITH MESSAGES ABOUT NOT SMOKING AND NOT USING DRUGS. 8. KNOW YOUR TEENAGER'S FRIENDS. Image with the following text: "To learn more, visit:" followed by the Positive Choices logo beside Positive Choices Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander portal cultural element. Below this, the following text: "Drug and Alcohol Information", "Get informed, stay smart, stay safe" and "positivechoices.org.au"
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Research suggests use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs—in addition to co-occurring #mentalhealth issues—is higher among our #rural youth compared to those living in big cities. This webinar looks at how to support them and reduce the risk of harms: positivechoices.org....
Image of two teenagers sitting around a bonfire on the beach with the text: "Webinar: Substance use and mental health among rural youth"
October 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Want to help improve the #mentalhealth and wellbeing of your students? Aussie Optimism offers a range of classroom programs to help teachers build resilience among students from Kindergarten to Year 8 + reduce likelihood of alcohol and tobacco use. Learn more here: positivechoices.org....
Image with the text "Recommended program: Aussie Optimism Program" and a graphic of a laptop computer screen displaying the Aussie Optimism Program logo Image with the text "Recommended program: Aussie Optimism Program", followed by the text: "AUSSIE OPTIMISM PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS" and five coloured tiles each displaying of the program's various modules. These are: "I Spy Feelings - For Kindy and Pre-Primary; Feelings and Friends - For students in Years 1-2 and year 3; Positive Thinking Skills - For students in year 4; Social Life Skills - For students in years 5-6; and; Optimistic Thinking Skills - For students in years 7-8"
October 19, 2025 at 9:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Have you heard of WellMob? It's an online resource hub for #AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander health workers and communities. Find culturally relevant websites, apps, videos + more focusing on social and emotional wellbeing or #SEWB
Visit wellmob.org.au
Image featuring the WellMob logo and slogan: "Healing Our Way" and the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet logo, as well as a laptop with displaying the WellMob website.
October 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
#Teachers! For this #MentalHealthMonth, learn how common co-occurring #mentalhealth and substance use disorders are among young people, why early intervention is important + useful tips for helping your students: positivechoices.org....
Image of a group of teenage school girls staring off into the distance with the text: "Webinar: How do mental health and substance use disorders affect young people?"
October 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
We have made changes to our Privacy Statement to include more details on the information we collect. Visit the Privacy Statement page to learn more: positivechoices.org.au/information/...
Image with a mother and her teenage son looking at a laptop screen, with the following text: "We've made some changes to our Privacy Statement" and the Positive Choices logo
October 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay! Adolescence can be a difficult time for your child's #mentalhealth. Learn about the link between mental health and alcohol/drug use, what to look out for + strategies for supporting your teen: positivechoices.org....
Image with a teenage girl in a conversation with her mother, and a call-out with the text: "Factsheet: Supporting a young person's mental health" Image with the following text: "In this factsheet, you'll learn:" as well as four bullet points with the following text: "The link between mental health and alcohol/drug use; Symptoms of common mental illnesses; How to support your child’s mental health and wellbeing; and; Where to get professional help"
October 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Couldn't make it to our last webinar presented by @matildacentreusyd.bsky.social's Dr Lily Davidson and Dr Katrina Champion?
Catch up on the recording to learn about the ‘Big 6’ lifestyle risk factors + parenting strategies to promote healthy habits for your teen!
🔗 positivechoices.org....
Image of a laptop with a recording of our latest Positive Choices Webinar: "Parenting strategies to promote health and address lifestyle risk factors among teenagers" presented by the Matilda Centre's Dr Lily Davidson and Dr Katrina Champion. Image includes the following text: "Did you miss our webinar with Health4Life Parents & Teens? Watch the recording now!"
October 6, 2025 at 11:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Featuring a calendar specifically for young people developed in collaboration with ReachOut, plus a First Nations calendar developed with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, download your calendar today: www.mentalhealthaust...
Image featuring Mental Health Australia's logo and text with their 2025 theme: "Connecting with your community." Image also contains their 3x calendars: "General Calendar, Youth Calendar, and First Nations Calendar"
September 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
#Teachers and school staff! Have you heard of #PreVenture? It's a school-based intervention which aims to reduce drug and alcohol use + improve students' emotional wellbeing. To learn more about the PreVenture program, visit: positivechoices.org....
September 30, 2025 at 12:00 AM
positivechoices.bsky.social
As your child gets older, friendships with their peers become crucial to influencing your child’s drinking behaviours. Our blog post suggests 5 key things you can do as parent to help foster positive and supportive friendships for your teenager: positivechoices.org....
September 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Have you registered for our webinar yet?
Join us this Wednesday at 12pm AEST and learn about the ‘Big 6’ lifestyle risk factors for developing chronic health conditions during adolescence + how parents can support their teenager to improve the ‘Big 6’!
🔗 positivechoices.org....
Image of upcoming Positive Choices Webinar: "Parenting strategies to promote health and address lifestyle risk factors among teenagers" presented by the Matilda Centre's Dr Lily Davidson and Dr Katrina Champion. Image also includes a photo of a teenage girl with a soccer ball.
September 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
positivechoices.bsky.social
Sometimes when people are drunk or use drugs they can become violent and aggressive. For a young person this can be scary, but there are some ways that they can try to calm the other person down and protect themselves. This factsheet explains how: positivechoices.org....
September 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM