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Webinar: Self-care during winter months

Posted on by Eve Donnelly

We held the second instalment of a new series of webinars for parents on Monday, 9 November.

The theme of this webinar was self-care during winter months. You may notice when you are tired, stressed or feeling run down, this can have a knock-on impact on the dynamics and relationships in the household. This can then increase tensions and arguments. As a parent, paying attention to your own mental health and wellbeing is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

In this webinar, Jigsaw clinicians Conor and Olive gave a 20-minute presentation. This was followed by questions and answers from parents.

The areas covered are:

  • A look at some of the things that might deplete our wellbeing
  • How our body responds and how we may respond in ways that might not be helpful
  • Explore more helpful ways to respond
  • Practical things parents can do to look after their own self-care

You can view the full recording below.

School avoidance

Posted on by Eve Donnelly

The majority of young people face challenges at some point throughout their schooling.

Common difficulties can occur in the following areas: learning and curriculum, social and peer related and/or the physical environment.

For the most part, young people overcome these challenges and school provides positive, enjoyable experiences. However, for a number of young people, school can cause a significant amount of distress. This leads to difficulty attending school.

If your young person is currently experiencing difficulty attending school, this article covers the following:

Watch: Active listening

Posted on by tzJ3t6

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

Posted on by Eve Donnelly

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

Posted on by Eve Donnelly

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.

Supporting young people’s mental health during the pandemic

Posted on by Eve Donnelly

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.

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