Dalai Lama: “On Earth Day 2021, I appeal to my brothers and sisters throughout the world to look at both the challenges and the opportunities before us on this one blue planet that we share. I often joke that 1/10 #Justice4Australia
the moon and stars look beautiful, but if any of us tried to live on them, we would be miserable. This planet of ours is a delightful habitat. Its life is our life, its future our future. Indeed, earth acts like a mother to us all. Like children, we are dependent on her. 2/10
In the face of such global problems as effect of global heating and depletion of ozone layer, individual organizations and single nations are helpless. Unless we work together, no solution can be found. Our mother earth is teaching us a lesson in universal
responsibility. 3/10
Take the issue of water as an example. Today, more than ever, the welfare of citizens in many parts of the world, especially of mothers and children, is at extreme risk because of critical lack of adequate water, sanitation and hygienic conditions. It is concerning that the 4/10
absence of these essential health services throughout the world impacts nearly two billion people. And yet it is soluble. I am grateful that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has issued an urgent global call to action. Interdependence is a 5/10
fundamental law of nature. Ignorance of interdependence has wounded not just our natural environment, but our human society as well. Therefore, we human beings must develop a greater sense of the oneness of all humanity. Each of us must learn to work not 6/10
only for his or her self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. In this connection, I am glad President Joe Biden will be hosting a Leaders’ Climate Summit on Earth Day this year, bringing together world leaders to discuss an issue that impacts all of us. 7/10
If our planet is to be sustained, environmental education and personal responsibility must grow and keep growing. Taking care of the environment should be an essential part of our daily lives. In my own case, my environmental awakening occurred only after I came into 8/10
exile and encountered a world very different from the one I had known in Tibet. Only then did I realize how pure the Tibetan environment was and how modern material development has contributed to the degradation of life across the planet. 9/10
On this Earth Day let us all commit ourselves to doing our part to help make a positive difference to the environment of our only common home, this beautiful earth. 10/10
With my prayers,
Dalai Lama”
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What is #Justice4Australia? I joined Twitter to see if Trump would win or lose the US election. I had not watched the news or followed politics for years; too much, too soon had made me unwell: Psychosis. I saw Trump’s tweets and thought, ‘Is this guy for real!? 1/36
audience of professionals and people all at different stages of recovery from mental illness. I had a dual identity: a mental health professional and was in recovery from Psychosis. The Psychiatrist said, “For the last couple of hundred years Psychiatry has asked 26/36
many questions trying to work out what is wrong with you. However, what Psychiatry had failed to do, is to ask “you” what “you” think is wrong with you? What can we do for you?” In other words, how can we, in a position of power, empower you? What an absolute game changer. 27/36
I am writing to you about the growing concern worldwide for the First Nations people of Australia. I was only 17 years old when I was formally taught, at James Cook University, 1/62 #Justice4Australia
about the Australian Government’s long standing abuse of First Nations people. I actually cried. I did not understand how any person or government could do what I learnt. I became an Academic at the same university that empowered me with that knowledge. 2/62
I am now a Psychologist in Cape York working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I cannot thank them enough for enriching my life; for providing a sense of connection and belonging I did not experience growing up in Australia. 3/62
#RaiseTheAge: “Young children do not have the neurological maturity to foresee the consequences of their behaviours, assess risk and comprehend the potentially criminal nature of their behaviour. 1/8 #Justice4Australia#Auspol
Aboriginal children are disproportionately represented within the youth justice system
around the country (21 times as likely to be under supervision as non-Indigenous young people). It is crucial that the Government listen to the numerous reports, 2/8
inquiries and Royal Commissions which recommend governments invest in Aboriginal designed and led community solutions when responding to youth justice issues. By failing to safeguard and care for the most vulnerable members of the community and 3/8
My Recovery from Psychosis: People ask how I tirelessly campaign for Tharnicaa, Kopika and #Justice4Australia. People also thank me for being transparent about my lived experience of Psychosis. I have some beautiful insights I would like to share to explain how and why. 1/50
Firstly, there is no tireless effort on my part. It is my passion to share the truth for justice. Secondly, I am transparent about my experience of Psychosis because individuals can not only recover; Psychology now has a phenomenon known as Post-Traumatic Growth. 2/50
This week Christine Holgate powerfully shared her truth for justice; she was also transparent that she found the past six months deeply traumatising. Tony Wright, from The Sydney Morning Herald reported: “Ms Holgate’s evidence that she had become suicidal in the 3/50
Knowledge is Power: Education is not intended to fill a container with knowledge. It is intended to light the fire of justice within you. The term ‘Philosophy’ in Doctor of Philosophy does not mean the field or academic discipline of Philosophy; 1/75 #Justice4Australia
it means in the broadest sense, with its original Greek meaning, ‘love of wisdom.’ I write this NOT as a Psychologist as there is limits within any profession. I write this as a human being in the broadest sense in accordance with love of wisdom. 2/75
Throughout history it was been a privilege and more importantly a responsibility to share the truth for justice. For example, ‘homosexuality’ was recently considered an illness in Psychiatry; listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 3/75
‘What are the causes of Indigenous suicides?’ Dr @TracyWesterman (2019): “As an Indigenous clinical psychologist who has spent the better part of the past twenty years working solidly in Aboriginal suicide, I keep getting asked “What are the causes of Indigenous suicides?” 1/35
ANSWER: I have long been concerned by public commentary on the causes of suicide & the impacts of this in finding evidence-based solutions. Simply put, suicide risk factors are being incorrectly and consistently stated as CAUSES of suicide. So: 2/35
• Poverty is not the cause of suicide
• Abuse is not the cause of suicide
• Alcohol is not the cause of suicide, nor is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome by the way!
• They are all very likely risk factors, but they are not CAUSES. 3/35