The Sun’s Agony Aunt, Deidre backs first online forum for parents of young people with emotional problems
From today, parents and carers of young people with emotional problems will have a place to go for support online.
Following on from the success of our telephone helpline, the YoungMinds forum will give parents the opportunity to share their experiences and offer support to other parents facing similar situations.
Having a child who is self harming, or depressed, won’t get out of bed or go to school can be highly stressful and upsetting. Parents and carers of young people with emotional problems often have nowhere to turn for support if their child is acting up or being withdrawn, and are left powerless and feeling they are to blame. Our forum at www.shareyourstory.org.uk/ will provide them with a space to get advice and support from each other.
To help launch the forum Bruce Byron aka DC Terry Perkins from ITV’s The Bill has made a short film about his experience of being dad. Visit www.youngminds.org.uk to find out more.
The Sun’s Agony Aunt Deidre Sanders said: "If a child is depressed, hearing voices or self harming , it's a terribly worrying time for parents and so hard to know what is the right thing to do. Parents often feel they are to blame for their child’s emotional problems and don’t know where to go for help. With one in 10 young people diagnosed with serious mental health problems such as anxiety or depression, it's really important that their parents don’t feel alone and know informed help is available. YoungMinds parents helpline provides invaluable support for them, and their new parents' forum will allow parents to share their experiences, offer each other support and help break the isolation they are experiencing."
Tanya, parent of 16 year old Rhiannon who has depression said: “ You feel so guilty, like you have failed as a parent, but there is no one to talk to, no help out there for you as their parent. Often when she disappears or won’t get out of bed I just don’t what to do. I am walking on egg shells and don’t know whether to shout at her or leave her alone. Talking to YoungMinds , their helpline- and other parents has been such a relief. I hope this new forum will allow many more parents to access this support.”
Sarah Brennan, YoungMinds Chief Executive said: “Mums and dads often tell us that they wish they had a space where they could talk to other people in the same situation , and at last we are able to provide this vital facility not just via our telephone helpline but online too.”
For immediate release 26th May
Notes to editors
1.YoungMinds is the UK's leading children's mental health charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people by ensuring mental health is placed firmly on the public and political agenda. For further information visit www.youngminds.org.uk
2. For further information and case studies, please contact Hannah Smith at YoungMinds on 0207 336 1451 or emailHannah.smith@youngminds.org.uk
