Author: TECH

People with disability in Western Australia will get better access to cheaper assistive technology, under an Australian Government pilot program.The $5 million Assistive Technology Rental and Refurbishment Pilot – run nationally by Ability First Australia – is being expanded to WA.Under the pilot, Ability WA provides the infrastructure, skills and expertise to recycle and distribute disability support equipment.People can choose to purchase, rent or exchange the technology, through an online platform.They are also able to test the technology’s usefulness and switch to other equipment as their needs change or, for children, as they grow.We want Australians with disability to have…

Key Takeaways Financial therapy combines finance and emotional support to help clients manage financial stress and make informed decisions.Financial therapists are certified professionals who guide clients through financial challenges and decision-making.The primary goal of financial therapy is to improve clients’ financial literacy and mental well-being.Financial therapy can empower individuals to make logical and effective financial choices.Exploring financial therapy options can be beneficial for anyone experiencing financial anxiety. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. What Is Financial Therapy? Financial therapy is a type of support that combines money guidance with emotional help to reduce financial stress.…

Physical fitness and psychological resilience develop side by side during adolescence, a life stage that lays the foundation for adult health. Cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and agility are well-known predictors of cardiometabolic health, while self-efficacy, defined as the belief in one’s ability to overcome challenges, shapes motivation, persistence, and coping strategies. Although both have independently been linked to healthier lifestyles and improved well-being, less attention has been given to how they may influence one another. Understanding this connection is particularly important as sedentary behaviours, screen exposure, and mental health concerns continue to rise among young people worldwide. In this context,…

For people with sensory issues — often those who are neurodivergent and have autism or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder — wearing the wrong clothes can be a recipe for disaster.Whether it’s itchy tags, uncomfortable fibers, or just the wrong fit, these hurdles can lead people to feel overstimulated and have trouble navigating daily life.Olivia Drewery experienced these challenges. The 27-year-old based in the United Kingdom was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in her early twenties. “I spent most of my life feeling chronically overwhelmed, masking constantly, wondering why everyday things felt so f—ing difficult,” Drewery said in a recent TikTok…

When we speak about women’s progress in India, we often speak in the language of milestones. Education. Leadership. Financial independence. Representation. Much less often do we speak about emotional well-being. And yet, if there is one quiet reality that cuts across geography, income, and age, it is this: many women carry an invisible psychological load that remains largely unacknowledged. Globally, the scale of mental health challenges is sobering. According to the World Health Organisation, more than one billion people worldwide live with a mental health condition. Depression and anxiety are among the most common disorders, and women are disproportionately affected.…

The Social Connection & Positive Psychology Lab at ASU studies how social behaviors, including gratitude and kindness in close relationships, can influence mental health and familial interactions. Katherine Nelson-Coffey, a professor of psychology in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the lab’s director, said happiness often depends on the relationships people have.  Nelson-Coffey said social interactions help people build and maintain relationships by encouraging both giving and receiving support from others. These everyday behaviors strengthen connection and reinforce wellness over time.  “Human beings are very social creatures,” Nelson-Coffey said. “We rely on other people all the time for…

Welcome to The Pulse, a weekly roundup of health-focused news. Each Thursday, we’ll bring you updates on health policy, community surveys, new clinical studies, programs and services in Southwest and Southside Virginia. Got a tip or story idea? Email me at emily@cardinalnews.org. Virginia has continued to build momentum around maternal mental health in recent months. Del. Margaret Franklin, D–Prince William County, introduced legislation during the current General Assembly session that requires health insurance carriers to cover maternal mental health screenings. The bill mandates coverage for at least one screening during pregnancy and one within the first six weeks after birth,…

New plan encourages local agencies to work together as a co-ordinated team, not in silos The City of Sault Ste. Marie is expected to create just a handful of new jobs in 2026, but another one was approved this week. City councillors agreed Monday to hire a co-ordinator to oversee the city’s new community safety and well-being plan. The new hire will be paid with $50,000 in previously approved municipal funds, plus $19,000 from a Future Sault Ste. Marie reserve, as well as contributions from other community agencies involved in implementing the 220-page plan. “We’re going to be hiring this…

There’s a lot going on in the home décor world as we begin 2026, and what we’re currently seeing is that homeowners are now more interested in creating personal spaces—as opposed to simply following dominant styles. All around the globe, people are straying away from cookie-cutter interior designs in favor of homes that reflect individual preferences, stories and lifestyles. This ongoing personalization shift is reshaping how people select furniture, accessories, and all sorts of home décor products in terms of factors like materials, color palettes and accents. And at the very heart of this trend is the widespread desire for…

FMI – The Food Industry Association released findings from the 2026 Report on Food Industry Contributions to Health & Well-Being Feb. 26, revealing the industry’s efforts to serve as a destination for health and well-being through products, resources and services that support shoppers’ individual health goals. The report was released following the recently published Dietary Guidelines for Americans and ahead of National Nutrition Month. “As FMI’s latest research showcases, the food industry supports consumers’ personal health goals by empowering them with nourishing foods, wellness products, credible information, digital tools and health-related services,” said Krystal Register, FMI’s VP of health and…