Resources for Youth

Facing the teenage years with Alopecia Areata comes with its own unique set of personal and social challenges

This space helps you navigate the real-world stuff—like talking to new people, nailing your first job interview, dating with confidence, and finding the right support whenever you need it.

Searching for something in particular?

Advice

Mental Health & Support Resources

Programs I can be a part of

Peer & Local Support

Resources

Many of these brochures were created following psychological research undertaken by AAAF

Alopecia, Teens and Mental Health

Knowing the signs, how to start a conversation and where you can get support can change the life of someone like yourself when going through hard times.

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Youth Brochure

The “Teens Talking to Teens” brochure draws on their experiences of teens with Alopecia Areata from around Australia.

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Common things you’ll hear

A resource with common statements people make, intending the best but may be hurtful or frustrating, with alternatives. This is perfect for sharing with loved ones and friends.

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Grief and Alopecia Areata

This brochure includes information on how the grieving process can accompany hair loss, and how this can impact people of various age groups, including teens.

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Coping with Alopecia Areata

“Coping with Alopecia Areata” brochure includes information about the most helpful strategies for managing the impact of Alopecia Areata on your life.

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Job Interviews

Job Interviews with Alopecia Areata

You may be unsure what to wear, whether or not to tell your story, and what your interviewers will think. Preparing yourself for all of this will help you ace your interview, regardless of whether or not you choose to disclose your story.

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Dating Advice

Dating and Alopecia with Shayna

She brings such a light, easy energy to these important conversations that AAAF wanted to share even more of her story! Below we cover a little more about Shayna and her most important tips for dating!

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Travel

Alopecia Travel Tips

Whether you’re hitting the snowy slopes or heading north to escape the winter chill (or planning a euro summer), this time of year is amazing for travel. But travelling with Alopecia Areata can have some new complications and considerations.

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Video Resources

These are a small selection of some of our most commonly viewed resources from YouTube

Wig Styling & Care Advice

View the Full Playlist

Makeup Tutorials

View Videos

Alopecia, Dating and Relationships Chat

View Community Advice

Eyelashes & Eyebrows

How to tell your friends

Donate

Make a Donation

Everything AAAF does is community funded. No government support, no corporate backing. If this community has helped you, or you want to help others find it, your donation goes directly to the work that matters: support, education, and research.

Our Programs

As a foundation we run multiple programs to be involved in…

Our Programs

Sponsorships

This Sponsorship Program provides financial support for individuals and families living with Alopecia Areata, wanting to undertake skill development and participation in activities.

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Our Programs

AAAdventure Camps

A super fun weekend, filled with memorable experiences, and a fantastic opportunity to meet other kids with Alopecia Areata. Plus, it’s a chance to have an absolute blast!

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Our Programs

Grant a Wig

AAAF’s Grant A Wig for Kids Program provides grants which support children with Alopecia Areata and their families.

Apply for a grant

Peer and Mental Health Support Resources

I’m looking for Peer & Mental Health Support

Alopecia Areata… it’s life changing, but you are never alone. Here we’ve curated a collection of resources to make the more difficult days easier and have them occur less often. Many of our community members learn to love their Alopecia Areata. On this page find:

+ Mind body Mindfulness Practices,
+ Tips and advice for the bad days,
+ Community Support Networks,
+ Mental health support networks,

Get Involved

I’d like to get involved

Join our mission to support, educate, and advocate for the alopecia areata community. Every contribution makes a meaningful impact. Here you’ll find:

+ How to individually volunteer or become a corporate sponsor,
+ How to fundraise,
+ How to get involved in donating hair,

Donate

Make a Donation

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Connect with our Support Ambassadors

Our Support Ambassadors are people living with Alopecia Areata who have been where you are. They're available for one-on-one conversations when you need to talk to someone who genuinely understands

Carlo

Support Ambassador

Carlo serves as a Support Ambassador for the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation (AAAF), having first joined the organisation as a committee member in June 2017. Originally from Salford, UK, Carlo has lived with Alopecia Universalis since the age of five. Embracing his condition, he built a high-performance career as a professional rugby league player and famously coached the Italian National Team in the 2013 World Cup. Following his sporting career, Carlo transitioned into corporate leadership, utilising his executive expertise to drive business growth across multiple sectors. Today, Carlo remains focused on raising public awareness and providing meaningful support to the alopecia community.

carlo@aaaf.org.au

Maddi

Support Ambassador

Maddi was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata at the age of 13. In the years since, Maddi has accepted her condition and is passionate about raising awareness and connecting with others from the alopecia community. Maddi works full time as a Marketing Coordinator and in her spare time enjoys live music, travelling and eating all the delicious food Melbourne has to offer.

maddi@aaaf.org.au

Nadine

Support Ambassador

Nadine developed alopecia at the age of 8 in 2003 and joined AAAF in 2019. Nadine is a teacher, she loves being active and experiencing different cultures while travelling the world. Nadine hid her alopecia with wigs, hair extensions and makeup from everyone except her immediate family for 11 years. Now, Nadine is an open book and is happy to answer absolutely any questions or concerns you may have. She also understands the physical and emotional struggles that may come with alopecia. If she could give you one bit of advice it is “Be out of this world. Be you. Do you”.

Nadine@aaaf.org.au

Mental Health Support Organisations

If you need help or support immediately, we recommend reaching out to the following organisations.

Beyond Blue

Find helplines and support through their Australia wide network.

Kids Helpline

Specialised for kids aged 5-25.

Headspace

Providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.

Australian Psychological Society

For connecting directly to psychologists.

Discover our peer support and mental health resources

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Connect on our support groups

Support groups are a fantastic way to get in touch with other people who are living with Alopecia Areata, to ask questions and find new friends. AAAF has support groups, run as a closed group on Facebook, in most states. They are a key way that AAAF communicates new projects, support resources and events within the community, so joining is a fantastic way to stay in the loop.

For our state-based groups, please only request to join the group for the state that you live in. The Men’s Support Group and Teen’s Support Group are open Australia-wide.

Support in ACT

Support in TAS

Support in NSW

Support in QLD

Support in SA

Support in VIC

Support in WA

Teens Support Group

Men's Support Group