We have all taken exams, we may even be likely to be around students taking exams, and let's be honest, it can be a time that is full of anxiety, stress and dysfunctional behaviour. Yet does it need to be this way? I put the case for a different way to approach stress, anxiety and exam pressure and have support from Nina Stabey who talks about the effects of stress on the digestive system and Stephen Gammack who talks about the importance of exercise and movement as part of a study plan. Top tips:

• Consider how much communication is unposken....tumbleweed moment ...
• Consider what expectations you are putting on your young person or yourself
• See the lead up to this time as an opportunity to build ongoing life skills
• Ensure exercise is part of the weekly routine - regular walks ease stress levels
• Look at making dinner time family time 
• Consider the food at home - what are the easy snack
• Getting up from the desk can change the intense feeling of pressure of studying in the body
• Exercising releases stress busting hormones
• Consider the many different ways we all got to where we got to
• Remember that their life is not our life, they have to find their own way
• Take time off during their exam period to drive them to and from exams
• Consider the importance of getting help - don't wait till something is broken

What is your Party Plan? Join Dusana and Tenee two members of the Future Problem Solving Team as they share with us their project called Wise Decisions all about safe party planning. Role modelling of alcohol use and parties by adults and parents also came up as a hot topic. well worth a listen! To see the top tips for having and going to parties below as well as links to useful websites.

Ray Karam worked as a police officer in Sydney Central, Redfern and in country towns in Northern NSW. An accumulation of traumatic experiences led to Ray leaving the police force to seek support and rebuild his life. Ray shares his inspiring story, what helped him to rebuild from the grass roots up in order to support others who may have experienced similar trauma.

Simon Gillard talks to Lucy Dahill about Post Traumatic Stress that saw him end a 15 year service with the police. When Simon describes the work he did, the lack of de-brief support and the culture of shame around asking for help, it is no wonder the deeply caring man was unable to continue in his high pressure job. Simon has written a book on his experience called Life Sentence.