by nicola

Supporting Parents and Families through Summer 2020

Here are some great ideas for family activities from The Genesis Programme’s booklet ‘Supporting Parents and Families through summer 2020. You will also find information on low cost days out, social and emotional development, mindfulness for parents and children, summer routines, managing anxiety and much, much more. See the PDF below or download it at https://flyingstart.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Supporting-Parents-and-Families-through-Summer-2020-The-Genesis-Programme-FINAL_compressed.pdf

More ideas for you and your family

  • Revisiting traditional games such as draughts, chess, card games, board games etc.
  • Make mealtimes a family event and involve everybody in the preparation. See our nutrition
    websites at the bottom of this page for easy and affordable meals that the whole family can try. Nevin Maguire one of Ireland top chefs is also offering to send recipes out to families who get in touch https://www.facebook.com/macneanhouse/ 
  • Maybe you could even take advantage of the time to give the garden a makeover and involve the whole family in the process. Gardening and painting is very therapeutic for parents and children alike. Connecting with nature can have a positive impact on you and your family’s mental wellbeing.
  • Train to be Ireland’s Fittest Family! Whether this is by making an indoor or outdoor obstacle  course or following one of the many online Fitness Expert on YouTube. Exercising together is a great way to keep the mind and body healthy. Check out the following online resources for fun physical routines that the whole family will enjoy:
  •  Daily PE for Children and Adults with Joe Wicks https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/pe-with-joe-1254.html
  • Super Troopers also offers a healthy homework programme that encourages an active lifestyle https://www.supertroopers.ie/
  •  If you have the space, try to play as many outdoor games as possible hail, rain or snow. Embrace nature and all of its elements. Frisbee, tennis, football and catch are just a few outdoor sports that the family can enjoy together.
  • Get Crafty! Arts and crafts is a fun way to be kind to the planet and make use of recyclable materials. Try to be creative as possible. Having time to put on your thinking cap can result in amazing pieces of art. For more ideas of how to get crafty with recyclable materials you can visit: https://fiveminutemum.com/
  • Have an old-fashioned family movie night. With the newest technology such as Netflix and Smart TV, movies may not be as special for some families as they once were. Try to recreate the excitement and try to pick some old classics accompanied by popcorn and homemade healthy pizza.
  • Technology is part of our everyday life. As parents, we know that limiting screen time is essential, as too much can have adverse effects on our children’s physical and mental health. However, we can embrace screen time also and be selective about how we do this. Now organisations like Dublin Zoo are trying to reach out to families via their online platforms.
  • Why not have your children learn about Feeding Time in the Zoo by following the link at http://www.dublinzoo.ie/animals/animal-webcams/
  • Another similar site you can try is http://www.switcheroozoo.com/
  • Listen to music as a family. Take the opportunity to share with your children and teenagers your taste in music. You never know they could love Bowie as much you.
  • Encourage your children to be reflective and write just for the fun of it. Maybe they could be Ireland’s next young author.
  • The well-known children’s author Sarah Webb is also running just-for-fun writing workshops via her Twitter count @ SarahWebb

https://flyingstart.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Supporting-Parents-and-Families-through-Summer-2020-The-Genesis-Programme-FINAL_compressed.pdf

in Advice / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments
 by nicola

Managing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them to Worry Less

The online talk ‘Managing anxiety in children and helping them to worry less’ by Dr Elizabeth McQuaid Senior Psychologist with the HSE on 8th July was so good that the plan is to run the event again! This free online event will happen on Wednesday 29th July 7.00 – 9.30pm. If you are interested in this event, you need to click the link  and register https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/managing-anxiety-in-children-and-helping-them-to-worry-less-tickets-113321026240

Issues covered will include:

  • What does anxiety look like in children and when is it a problem?
  • What helps and what doesn’t help?
  • Practical strategies and information to help you and your child.

The Donegal Child and Family Support Networks have plans for further events in the months ahead including

  • Managing Anxiety in Teens
  • Managing Anxiety in Children with Dyspraxia

 

in Advice / Events / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 2 comments
 by nicola

Jigsaw – providing 1:1 mental health support for young adults

Jigsaw provides a vital service supporting the mental health of young adults aged between 12 – 25 years old. They have a webchat facility providing 1:1 support – here are the details, reproduced from their website.

 

Jigsaw Live Chat is a new way to get support if you’re aged between 12 – 25 years-old. Our trained staff host 1:1 webchats, Monday-Friday from 1-5pm.

Login and talk about what’s on your mind or send us an email anytime.

We accept our final chats 30 minutes before chat closes. If you’d like to chat after this, you can send an email or log in at another time. Register to chat or email with us.

Live chat

What do I need to know?

  • What happens when I request a chat?
  • How do I get the most out of my chat?
  • What do I do if there is a technical difficulty during my session?
  • Is the service confidential?
What happens when I request a chat?

When you request a chat, there will be a text box where you can tell us a little bit about your reason for your visit. We will ask you to fill out a brief questionnaire about how you are doing at the moment. At the start of your chat, our staff member will welcome you, introduce themselves and invite you to say a little more about what you’d like support with.

Can I be anonymous?

You need to register to use this service. When registering you will be asked to provide an email address, a username and some demographic information. You can be as anonymous as you choose. This means you don’t need to provide your first name if you prefer. You can also use an email address that doesn’t identify you (i.e. doesn’t contain your name).

Do I need a referral?

No, you can just log in whenever you like during opening hours. Or send us an email anytime.

How to get the most out of my chat?

Chats sessions will last approximately 40 minutes. To get the most out of your session, we recommend:

  • Using a good internet connection if possible to minimise disruptions
  • Having a think about what it is you most want help with. Your clinician will also help you with this in the session
  • Staying focused on the chat and responding promptly
  • Avoid multitasking or having multiple browser windows open
  • If you need to step away from the chat, let us know.

How long will it take to get a response to an email?

We will respond to your email as soon as possible. We aim to respond within two days but there are times when it may take longer than this.

What if I am in crisis?

Jigsaw is not a crisis service. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, check out crisis support options.

What if I’m attending other mental health services?

Do let us now if you are already linked in with another support service, in particular any regular therapeutic sessions you might have. For example at Jigsaw, in HSE mental health services, student counselling services or another online service.

Having contact with multiple services, particularly if they are not working together can be unhelpful and confusing for you. If you are attending another service, please let us know and we can talk about the best next steps.

I’m looking for information on face to face services.

Find your local Jigsaw contact details here.

What do I do if there is a technical difficulty during my session?

If there is a problem with your internet connection:

Check your internet connection. If you are unable to reconnect, you can access a new chat when your connection is restored. Although it may not be with the same person, the person you speak to will be able to see the details of your previous chat so you can pick up where you left off.

If there is a problem with our internet connection:

If you do not hear from us within five minutes of the chat being disrupted, we will probably need time to resolve the issue. We will email you to let you know what has happened as soon as possible.

If there is a problem with the chat platform:

We will highlight on this page and will email you to let you know what has happened as soon as possible.

Confidentiality

Is this service confidential?

The information that you share in chats and emails is confidential to the Jigsaw Live Chat team. We will not share information without your consent unless we are concerned that you or someone else is at risk of harm.

In such circumstances we may need to share your personal information with third parties such as an Garda Síochána, emergency services or Tusla, The Child and Family Agency to ensure that you or another person at risk gets the appropriate support.

In addition if we are concerned that you or another person is at risk of harm, we may ask you for more information, such as your full name, your address, or contact details for a next of kin who we can contact. It is up to you if you wish to provide this information.

Protecting your information

Jigsaw Live Chat provides confidential and preventative webchat and email services directly to young people. We are committed to doing this while also keeping your data safe.

The information here explains why we collect data, what data is collected, what we do with it, and what you can do to exercise your rights or to get more information.

What information do we collect?

Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you. For example, your name, date of birth, email address, IP address, as well as information relating to your health or personal circumstances.

We retain personal information that you provide, when you:

  • register with us
  • seek assistance and support, for example, by logging in, emailing us or engaging in a chat session
  • otherwise give us personal information.

How do we use your information?

We use your information in the following ways:

  • To give you the information and support you ask for and ensure that Jigsaw staff offer you the best possible service.
  • For internal administrative purposes (like accounting and records), and to let you know about changes to our services or policies.
  • To evaluate what we are doing and understand ways to improve support for young people. We may contact you directly about this. If we use your information in relation to evaluating our services, and for research and analysis, any information that could identify you will be removed.
  • To look in to and respond to complaints, legal claims or other issues.
  • If we need to use your information for other reasons, we will tell you about it and get your permission.

We keep your data in accordance with our data retention policy. We review our data retention periods for personal information on a regular basis.

Who do we share your information with?

When we collect your personal information we use strict procedures and security features to prevent unauthorised access. So that Jigsaw can keep your information safe, it is stored electronically by Microsoft Azure on a secure server. To help look after the Jigsaw Live Chat IT system, there are developers in MHI (New Zealand) who can see your information; they do not store or share your information.

We will not sell your details to any third parties.

Other Information

If you need any more information about the way your personal data will be used, if you want to exercise your data rights, or if you are unhappy with the way we have handled your personal data you can get in touch with our Data Protection Officer:

Data Protection Officer

Jigsaw – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health

16 Westland Square

Pearse Street

Dublin

D02 V590

Email: data.protection@jigsaw.ie

Telephone: 01 472 7010

Jigsaw is a registered charity, CHY 17439.

Changes to this policy

We may change our privacy policy from time to time, so please check back every now and again

To see more about Jigsaw and the supports they offer click the link https://jigsawonline.ie/

 

in Advice / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments
 by nicola

24/7 text line launched to support mental health

We are finally becoming aware that we need to care for our mental health as much as for our physical health. Over these past months many people have experienced anxiety, feelings of loneliness, low mood and more. This is not unusual. If you would like support to deal with these or other mental health issues a new text support service is available. Just text 50808. Here is the press release from the recent launch of the service

 

A new text-based mental health service funded by the HSE has been launched. ‘50808’ is a first of its kind for Ireland, a free 24/7 text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through mental health or emotional crisis. Doireann Garrihy launched the service via a Zoom event with Simon Harris TD, Minister for Health, Jim Daly, Minister for Mental Health and Anne O’Connor, Chief Operations Officer HSE.

Since the service began its pilot in September last year, it has provided support to 3,801 people through 6,694 conversations. It is expected that ‘50808’ will support over 50,000 people each year once fully operational.

Of the almost four thousand people supported:

  •  832 people were thinking about suicide
  •  360 people were self-harming
  •  The top issues discussed were: Anxiety/stress (40%), Depression/sadness (32%), Relationships (29%), Isolation/loneliness (23%) and Suicide (18%)
  •  80% of texters have been between the ages of 16 and 34
  •  65% of texters were female, 24% male, 2% transgender and 2% non-binary
  •  30% of texters identified as LGBTI+
  •  35% of texters are living with a disability, an existing mental health condition, or other medical condition
  •  Reasons for texting: Didn’t have anyone else to talk to (50%), Wanted to talk to someone who didn’t know me (48%), More comfortable texting than talking (40%), Too embarrassed to talk on the phone or in-person (31%), Didn’t have access to a therapist (31%).

The service uses an artificial intelligence (AI) system to analyse a texter’s initial message, scanning keywords, phrases, and even emojis to determine the level of severity. The texters at most imminent risk are placed at the top of the queue.

50808 has performed over 100 “Active Rescues” since beginning in pilot phase in September 2019 in which the National Ambulance Service is contacted for a texter in need of emergency support.

The service allows trained Crisis Volunteers to volunteer from home. Crisis Volunteers complete a 30-hour training and have 24/7 supervision by full-time mental health professionals.

Simon Harris TD, Minister for Health, said:

“Many people particularly young people don’t feel comfortable making that call or reaching out for help. This is a service that will offer a lifeline to people of all ages. 50808 is free, anonymous and inclusive. It’s been an exceptionally difficult time for our country, and this service is needed more than ever. I have no doubt the launch of 50808 will save lives.”

Jim Daly TD, Minister for Mental Health and Older People, said:

“50808 has been in development for some time, and it couldn’t launch at a more important moment. The service’s trained Crisis Volunteers will help people through this current crisis and will continue to provide free, 24/7 support in the long term. This life-saving service is part of the government’s strategy to protect the mental health of all members of the public.”

Anne O’Connor, Chief Operations Officer, HSE, said:

“The impact of this pandemic will be different for all of us and while not everyone will need mental health support, for those that do it’s important to have a variety of services that meet those needs. Picking up the phone and asking for help can appear daunting, but texting 50808 will connect you to a trained listening Crisis Volunteer. Parallel to this important service, the HSE, through our Psychosocial Response Project, is aligning the different levels of supports that are available online, by phone and text to improve accessibility to mental health resources for those who might be struggling at this time.”

Ian Power, CEO of 50808, said:

“We now have over 300 trained Crisis Volunteers providing free, anonymous support to people who are struggling with any issue, big or small. We’re also using technology to ensure we’re getting to the texters who need us most first and using data to understand our texter’s needs and improve the service. We’re excited to make the 50808 number famous so people who need us, know we’re here to listen.”

in Advice / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments
 by nicola

How to talk to teens and young adults about social distancing

If you have teenagers and young adults who are struggling with social distancing this article by Psychology Professor Michelle Drouin may be useful. The original can be downloaded from the Psychology Today website here https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/love-online/202003/how-talk-teens-young-adults-about-social-distancing

How to Talk to Teens & Young Adults About Social Distancing

The key is understanding their unique perspective.

Posted Mar 22, 2020

Today, I heard of a concerning trend: College kids posting Instagram photos of themselves on Spring Break—defying rules related to social isolation and mocking older generations for being too careful. Bikini-clad with drinks in hand, these Gen Y and Gen Zers seemed to be saying, “Stay inside, grandpa, but we’re healthy and ready to party.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic in full effect and sanctions mounting in both the U.S. and globally, two camps seem to be emerging: (1) those who are growing worried and cautious about the chance of contacting or spreading the virus and thus adhering to social distancing, and (2) those who feel the concerns and sanctions are overblown and are still choosing to gather in groups, travel, and live life as if COVID-19 were not an impending threat.

Teens and young adults seem especially likely to be in the latter camp. And from my perspective as a developmental psychologist, this makes sense for a number of reasons.

First, from a basic biological perspective, teens and young adults still do not have command of the full set of executive functions, especially those related to planning and considering future consequences, that older adults have. The prefrontal cortex is not fully developed until the mid- to late-20s, which leaves many teens and young adults prone to impulsivity and unlikely to consider consequences that an older adult would easily contemplate.

Second, from a socioemotional standpoint, many teens and young adults are in the developmental stage of identity formation (Erik Erikson). It is critical for them to have the opportunity discover who they are, set their own boundaries, and establish their own values and beliefs, apart from those of their parents. They are often separating from their families, both geographically and socially, because they are developing their own identities. During this time, they may test rules and boundaries imposed on them by parents and other authority figures not because they want to be contrary, but because they are trying to answer the fundamental questions of “Who am I?” and “What can I be?”

Third, many teens and young adults may feel like they are unique and invincible—this is known as the personal fable. They may believe that no one has ever gone through anything like they are going through, and an illusion of invulnerability may make them believe that the COVID-19 virus could never affect them. Again, this is a common psychological phenomenon, but it may make them appear self-centered and increase the likelihood of impulsive behavior.

So what can you do when your teen or young adult wants to defy government- or parent-mandated sanctions regarding COVID and social isolation?

Anna Shvets/Pexels

(Girl with mask in mountainsSource: Anna Shvets/Pexels)

Most importantly, it’s necessary to have sympathy. In fact, nothing like this has ever happened before in most of our lifetimes. These teens and young adults are missing once-in-a-lifetime events, and there is no way to stop or rewind the clock so that they can have these moments back. Let them talk to you about what they are missing, and instead of dismissing their concerns or comparing them to the death and despair caused by the virus, hear them, understand that these are big moments in their lives, and let them grieve the loss of these opportunities.

Next, talk with them about ways to bridge the gaps between what they want in an ideal world and what they can have in the current climate. Couple your wisdom and knowledge of the ways of the world with their interests and use of technology to try to come up with creative ways to enrich their lives without having to see their friends and attend events in person. Be committed to this partnership in problem-solving, and be flexible about ways to help them feel connected to the events and people they feel that they are missing.

Encourage teens and young adults to think outside of themselves. The more concrete your encouragement, the better. For example, you could model empathy and benevolence by writing letters to residents in nursing homes or assisted living facilities and have your teen or young adult join you. Or have them call their grandparents or loved ones in vulnerable populations so that they can hear the voices of people whose lives might be at risk if they get the virus from someone who is seemingly health and symptom free. If you give them opportunities to help and sympathize with others, it may help them see beyond their own social woes and get a better sense of the bigger picture.

Finally, if you find that your child is exhibiting signs of depression or anxiety, reassure them that they are not alone. If you think they may be in crisis or needing professional help, point them to trusted resources: Mental health providers nationwide are gearing up to provide online mental health treatment (call your general practitioner or local mental health facility if you need a referral). Or if you find they just need someone to talk to (and they are not in crisis), they can also connect for free with volunteers on websites like 7 Cups of Tea and Crisis Text Line. Fortunately, those most in need of these online resources (i.e., teens and young adults with high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress) appear to be most open to using them (Toscos et al., 2018; Toscos et al., 2019).

Most importantly– take care of yourself, too! The resources listed above are not just for your children. Take time to acknowledge your own stress and anxiety, and model good health hygiene by taking care of your own needs, both physical and psychological. “Do as I do, not just as I say,” might be the best way to get everyone on the same page regarding social distancing.

In Ireland if you are concerned about the mental well-being of a teenager or young adult you can contact Jigsaw https://www.jigsaw.ie/

in Advice / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments
 by nicola

How to Practise Empathy during the Covid19 Pandemic

Empathy can help us connect with others even though we are apart and it can help us deal with the challenges we are facing at the moment. This article is from the VeryWellMind website and although we have reproduced it below you can also download the original here  https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-practice-empathy-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-4800924

By Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD

Updated on March 30, 2020

Empathy

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to sweeping changes and disruptions in nearly every aspect of daily life. With mandates and guidelines changing all the time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by our own anxieties. It is important to practice empathy during this time, not only for others but for yourself as well.

There are many benefits to practicing empathy. Empathizing with others can help you feel less lonely and more connected. It also increases the likelihood that people will reach out and help others when they need it.

In addition to boosting social connectedness and increasing helping behaviors, empathizing with others also improves your ability to regulate your emotions during times of stress. Feeling empathy allows you to better manage the anxiety you are experiencing without feeling overwhelmed.

Ways to Build Empathy

Some people are just empathetic by nature, but there are plenty of things that you can do to cultivate your own empathy skills. Research has also shown that empathy is an emotional skill that can be learned.

Listening to others, engaging in acts of service, observing the empathetic actions of others, and imagining yourself in another person’s situation are all strategies that can help build empathy.

Here are some things you can do to try to stay empathetic even when it feels like staying in touch with other people is more difficult than ever.

Stay Connected

In a time when people are practicing social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine, it’s all too easy to turn inward and focus solely on yourself or your family unit. But research suggests that caring about others is one of the best ways to fight feelings of isolation.

Showing empathy and engaging in helpful actions, whether it’s donating to a charity or writing a supportive note to a friend, can increase your feelings of social connectedness.

So while you may be keeping your physical distance from others to prevent the spread of the virus, it doesn’t mean you need to be emotionally distant. Show concern and stay connected to the people in your life.

Be Aware

Consider some of the ways that the pandemic has affected your life. Are you working from home or on paid leave? Are your kids out due to school closures? Do you have plenty of food in your pantry and freezer?

Now think about how others might answer those same questions depending on their situation and circumstances. Many people have lost their jobs and are out of work, others have no choice but to continue working. Some people are worried about how to find childcare as they continue to work, and many may be struggling to find or pay for basic necessities.

Empathy and understanding are a critical part of compassion and, more importantly, action. Think of others and look for ways that you can help.

Be Kind

Take it easy on yourself and others. It’s ok if you aren’t managing to do it all. It’s ok if your kids are watching a little too much tv or if you aren’t keeping up on your usual routines. It’s a lot to deal with and everyone copes with stress, anxiety, and fear differently. Cut yourself some slack and practice self-compassion.

Working parents are struggling to manage kids who are home all day now that schools have closed. Not only is the work situation unsettled, but parents are also trying to help kids with distance learning.

Those working in healthcare and finance are busier than ever. Not only are they dealing with the stress of being on the front line of a public health crisis, but they may also be struggling to find someone to watch their own kids while they are at work.

We all have our own anxieties, but that doesn’t mean we should lose our kindness in the face of a crisis.

Be Considerate

Sometimes we may be quick to criticize others without making the effort to understand how their situation and experiences are impacting their choices. Yes, it’s easy to lob criticism at others in a time of crisis, particularly those who don’t seem to be taking the situation seriously. Try to remember that everyone copes differently. People may also feel overwhelmed by conflicting information from news sources and social media.

While you cannot control how others behave, you can control your own actions and do your part by sharing health information from legitimate sources. Ask others to observe your desire for physical distance and try to gently encourage friends and family to stay home, wash their hands frequently, practice social distancing, and self-isolate if they experience symptoms.

Help Others

In the midst of something that seems overwhelming, helping others can provide a sense of control and empowerment. When the world feels unpredictable and chaotic, finding tangible ways to do good and make things better for someone else can be a source of comfort.

Some ways that you can practice empathy:

If you are in a financial position where you can stay home, look for ways that you can support others who may be struggling.

  • Don’t panic buy. If you are overbuying items you are making it more difficult for others to find what they need.
  • Donate non-perishable goods to food pantries.
  • Put together care packages for healthcare workers, elderly neighbors, or those whose jobs have been affected.
  • Purchase gift certificates from restaurants and small businesses that have been affected.
Offer to help neighbors who may not be able to leave home to get the things that they need. Shopping for groceries and household items or ordering extra items from online delivery or pickup services are good examples of ways you can offer tangible assistance.

Stay home. One of the best things you can do to support others is to simply stay home. Follow the guidelines outlined by the CDC (HSE in Ireland). Avoid groups, stay home as much as possible, and practice social distancing. Staying out of the way helps prevent the spread of the virus, which helps ensure that healthcare professionals and resources are not overwhelmed.

A Word From Verywell

Empathy is always important, but it is particularly vital during a public health crisis. Practicing empathy during the COVID-19 pandemic not only opens your mind to what others are experiencing, but it can also provide social connectedness that can help combat feelings of isolation. During a large-scale event, it is important to remember that everyone is in this together—think of others, reach out however you can, and remember to ask for help if you need it.

in Advice / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments
 by nicola

Minding your mental health while social distancing and self-isolating

It is very important that we look after our own mental health during what is a strange and strssful time. Here are some tips:-

 Self Care

  • Keep a healthy sleep routine– avoid sleeping for too long during the day. .
  • Pick an activity a day that makes you feel good – e.g. a long hot soak in the bath, putting feet up while reading a good book, skin care, gardening , a walk
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • If you smoke, access supports to help you quit at www.quit.ie/freephone 1800201203/freetext Quit to 50100
  • Remember to take medications on time
  • Practice proper hand- washing
  • Mindfulness – pay attention to the present and appreciate things as they are.
  • If you are attending a mental health service, contact your team if you need to.

Leisure

  • Watch a good programme or documentary, browse the web
  • To relax – e.g. listen to music or watch music videos, relaxation CDs
  • To keep mind active – e.g. crosswords, puzzles
  • To connect with others – ring , text, email or Facetime family and friends or write a .
  • To be creative – e.g. sewing, art, drawing/ painting, knitting, crochet..
  • To keep fit – take a walk, garden, online exercise sessions, dance…

Daily Routine

  • Take the current situation one day at a time
  • Maintain and establish a good structure of your day
  • Get up and go to bed at your usual times
  • If you’re studying at home, maintain the same pattern as the usual college or university tasks
  • If you’re working from home, work during the same hours that you would usually.
  • Write up a timetable including self-care, productivity and/or leisure activities.
  • Wear day clothes to get you motivated for the day

Roles

  • Think about the roles you identify with – friend, family member, forum member
  • Try to maintain and enhance identified roles by keeping in touch
  • Online tools can help you stay in touch with friends and family – e.g. play a web-based board game, review a book you have read, Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp
  • Don’t worry if you don’t have access to online resources, text, phone, send a letter
  • Try relating to people by phoning them and having a chat

The Environment

  • Get some fresh air while keeping social distance of 2m (6 feet) and staying within a 2km radius of your home
  • Look after your home environment – keep up with the household chores so that it is a good place to be
  • Open your curtains and let some light and fresh air into your home
  • If you have a garden think of things you could do there
  • If you don’t have a garden you could plant some seeds on a window sill
  • Keep contact information for your supports in a place you can find it easily – local community supports, family, friends, GP etc

Useful supports and information

HSE information about Covid19 https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

¨Virtual Activities: – A range of international top-class museums offer virtual tours of their collections, which may help pass a few hours: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

¨Irish Film Festival London will host their St. Patrick’s Day film festival online, giving access to new Irish films for free. https://www.irishfilmfestivallondon.com/

¨Yoga Practice @ Home: – Down Dog has a range of apps to help people practice yoga in their own home environment (beginner -> advanced). Apps are all free to download until April 1st.  https://www.downdogapp.com/

¨General Resources: https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0316/1123492-mental-health-tips-coronavirus/

¨Communication: – available to download for free at Google Play or Apple Store – SKYPE, WhatsApp, Viber, Facetime, Facebook Messenger

¨Mindfulness and Relaxation: http://www.beaumont.ie/marc

¨Leisure: YouTube – British Heart foundation 10 minute living room workouts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5YX5xg8Seg

¨Library online: https://www.librariesireland.ie/elibrary/emagazines

¨Aware’s Life Skills Online programme: https://www.aware.ie/education/life-skills-online-programme/ – Registration open.

¨Mood Tracking: – Daylio is a useful app where you can record your mood as well as what occupations you engaged in that day, allowing you to see links between your mood and activity levels: https://daylio.webflow.io/

Time Management: https://www.forestapp.cc/  and   https://pomodoro-tracker.com/

A list of free online services to get us through these difficult times is available at: https://covid19.shanehastings.eu/giveback/

in Advice / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments
 by nicola

Parents, know your children’s online chat!

This is one for the parents. We know that with children and teenagers at home there is probably more time being spent on line. It is important that parents know what some of the acronyms used on line mean. Here is a poster put together by Letterkenny Youth and Family Services.

Remember if you need advice or support you can contact LYFS on-

Tel/Text/Whatsapp- 0861237917
Email- lyfs@live.ie
Faceboock- Lyfscommunityproject

 

in Advice / Latest News / Parent Support / Uncategorised 0 comments