WITH programme for young people to understand parents mental illness

THE WITH Programme for Young People and Parents/Caregivers in Dublin South to help them understand their parent’s mental illness was launched on Wednesday at a Seminar on Children, Young People and Families Impacted by Parental Mental Health in Russell Centre, Tallaght.

The WITH (Well-being In The Home) Programme was developed for children and young people whose parents experience mental health difficulties. It is a series of informational videos on the different types of mental health difficulties parents may have and how they can be helped.

More importantly it helps children and young people to know that they are not to blame, or responsible for making their family member better.

“I am delighted to launch the Wellbeing In The Home (WITH) Programme for Dublin South and would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in its development. I encourage all those working with or supporting young people, to raise awareness of parental mental health difficulties and to raise awareness of supports available for young people.

Together with our partners CYPSC Dublin South and CYPSC Dublin South City we hope the WITH resources will help young people understand the mental difficulty their parent is dealing with, and also support parents across Dublin South to explain their mental difficulty to their young person.” said Mary O’Kelly, Chief Officer, Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Community

“South Dublin Children & Young People’s Services Committee looks forward to working with all partners to promote the WITH programme.

This is a very welcome initiative on a topic where resources for children and young people are limited, and will provide information resources for young people, with sign posting supports to help them learn more about parental mental health difficulties.”Joe Rynn, South Dublin CYPSC Co-ordinator

There are tips on how to mind themselves and seek support/ help if the situation gets very difficult for them.

The WITH Project was developed by Dr Sharyn Byrne (Senior Clinical Psychologist) of the Castlebar CAMHS service, in collaboration with Mindspace Mayo and members of Co. Mayo youth groups. It was funded by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs.

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