As schools and colleges start to go back, it is normal to feel anxious.
Some young people may be feeling nervous returning to a day to day routine following the summer break.
Brings categories: parent or guardian
Watch: Active listening
We’ve all had the experience of trying to say something to someone who is not really listening to us.
Active listening
In this animation we show how we can engage in active listening by showing young people these verbal and non-verbal signs:
Non-verbal
- Eye contact, nodding and smiling
- Leaning forward
- Mirroring body language
Verbal
- Remembering what is said. A young person will appreciate your full attention and focus.
- Reflecting back what you’ve heard. This shows the young person that you’ve understood the key points of what they’ve said.
- Seeking clarification. If a young person has shared something that you don’t understand, ask them to explain what they mean. This is better than pretending you get something, which a young person will pick up on.
- Summarising. Recap your conversation and any decisions you have reached together to ensure you are both on the same page.
>> Read more about supporting youth mental health
Supporting the transition to secondary school
The transition to secondary school is a big milestone in a young person’s life. Although exciting, it can also throw up challenges.
Young people have been in and out of school due to lockdowns. Experiences of school closures are varied, some young people have been relieved and others have really missed school.
Uncertainty about the future can influence a young person’s move to secondary school. Fortunately, as a parent, there is a lot you can do to support their mental health during this process.
How to address self-harm
As a parent or guardian, hearing about young people harming themselves can be really alarming and difficult to understand.
If you suspect that your young person is harming themselves, there is a lot you can do to support them.
Webinar: Supporting during lockdown
This is a recording of a webinar for parents about how to support young people while in lockdown for the prevention of Covid-19.
Jen and Vanessa presented a piece about compassion-focused support and took questions live from parents and responded.
Webinars to support youth mental health
Check out the webinar recording for parents on supporting young people with anxiety .
Supporting young people’s mental health during the pandemic
Through Jigsaw’s work with young people, we are continuously reminded of the challenges parents face, and their desire to help.
It is no easy feat being a parent. The biggest issues right now are dealing with the threat of lockdown, ongoing restrictions, and the uncertainty they all bring.
The pandemic has brought uncertainty and a rapid change to our lifestyle. It has increased the potential for anxiety and frustration, not only for young people, but also for parents.
Ask Jigsaw: Fear of failure
Do you have any info as to where a 25 year old male could get advice about finding a job? His anxiety and depression means he has never succesfully held down a job.
Fear of failure stops him from giving anything a fair go but not having a job adds to his sense of worthlessness. He says he would like to find a foolproof job that he couldnt make a mistake at. He is in cork area.
-Alfie
Hi Alfie,
It sounds like your friend is stuck in a bit of a negative cycle. He doesn’t believe he can be successful in a job. This worry or fear then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
SNACK self-care tool
Mental health services for under 18s
It can be an overwhelming experience for a parent when your child is experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
There are many supports available to you and your son or daughter, but knowing what mental health services there are how and how to access them isn’t always easy.
Below we’ve listed some of the mental health services for under 18s in Ireland, how to access them, and costs. The service or organisation you go to depends on what your child is going through is considered mild, or more severe in nature. The first step to knowing this is going to your GP.
Anxiety about health and coronavirus
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a situation where we have to be mindful about our health and wellbeing.
As we return to schools, colleges and workplaces, we are being told how to keep safe, recognise symptoms and respond if we become ill. If you do notice worrying symptoms, follow the HSE advice: phone the GP to make sure you are OK and discuss what care you might need. However, many of us are feeling increased anxiety about our health which is not helpful.
Although things are starting to return to normal, many of us are still unable to take part in our pre-covid routines. We may have lost previous coping strategies or fallen into unhelpful habits during the period of lockdown. The current situation can increase worry about our own health, and that of others. This stress in itself can impact our physical health. For this reason, we must do our best to manage stress.