The MindChat Podcast by SCHN

Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
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  • Mental Health

MindChat is a 6-part podcast series created by Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network to support children and teenagers in understanding their mental health. Hosted by Lauren, a young person and long-time patient of our hospitals, each episode features honest conversations with young people, families, and clinicians about mental health challenges that can come with illness, hospital stays, and growing up. From living with a chronic condition to managing anxiety, navigating friendships and neurodiversity, MindChat gives young people a voice and the tools to better understand themselves.

  1. 08/06/2025

    Autism, anxiety, and finding your place: Ben’s story

    In this episode, Lauren speaks with Ben, 16, about his experiences growing up with autism and the challenges of navigating social anxiety. From overthinking how to ask a girl to go bowling to starting his first job, Ben shares honest reflections on everyday situations that feel much bigger when you’re neurodivergent. As Ben puts it: “You look at me and there’s no disability sign. I wouldn’t know how to speak to someone about it — it’s just overall social anxiety.” Stella Li, Clinical Psychologist at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, joins the conversation to unpack the importance of personalised mental health support for young people with autism, and how recognising and managing social anxiety can make a real difference.  Listen now and follow MindChat for more honest conversations about mental health.

    18 min

  2. 08/06/2025

    Facing procedure anxiety: Georgia’s story

    In this episode, Lauren chats with Georgia, 11, who lives with Crohn’s disease and has spent a lot of time in hospital. Georgia shares the creative techniques she’s developed to manage her anxiety around medical procedures, including giving her worries names and imagining friends that keep her company when things get tough. Joining them is Siobhain Lowthe, Mental Health Social Worker, who’s watched Georgia’s confidence grow over time: “The last few times she waltzed in here with her crown on and she’s been smiling. She’s still nervous, still has a little bit of anxiety, but she uses her strategies herself, she doesn’t need reminding from anyone else. She is a superstar!” Together, they discuss how personalised coping tools can help kids feel more in control and why it’s so important to support the emotional side of medical care.  Listen now and follow MindChat for more honest conversations about mental health.

    15 min

  3. 08/06/2025

    Nick and Paige: From mental health challenges to peer support

    In this episode, Lauren speaks with Nick and Paige, Peer Support Workers at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Both Nick and Paige experienced their own mental health struggles as teenagers and now use those lived experiences to support other young patients going through tough times. As Nick explains:  “A big issue in mental health is young people having to repeat their story a lot of times, so if they've just had a review and I'm seeing them soon after, I let them know they don't have to repeat their story if they don't want to.” Together, they talk about the importance of having someone who truly understands what it’s like, and how peer support can help young people feel less alone in hospital and beyond.  Listen now and follow MindChat for more honest conversations about mental health.

    17 min

  4. 08/06/2025

    Living with chronic illness: Victoria’s story

    In this episode, we hear from Victoria, 14, about what it’s like to live with a chronic illness and how it affects her mental health. “Being stuck in hospital and at home since I got sick has made me feel more upset… like I’m kind of useless to society.” Siew Koo, Clinical Psychologist at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, shares expert insights on how young people can manage these feelings and why supporting the emotional side of long-term illness is just as important as physical treatment.   Listen now and follow MindChat for more honest mental health conversations.

    10 min
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About

MindChat is a 6-part podcast series created by Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network to support children and teenagers in understanding their mental health. Hosted by Lauren, a young person and long-time patient of our hospitals, each episode features honest conversations with young people, families, and clinicians about mental health challenges that can come with illness, hospital stays, and growing up. From living with a chronic condition to managing anxiety, navigating friendships and neurodiversity, MindChat gives young people a voice and the tools to better understand themselves.

Information

  • Creator
    Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The MindChat Podcast by SCHN