The most important measure over which we can exert control is helping pre-teens and teens to build strong emotional connections. Connection is the key ingredient in supporting young people through life’s challenges. Strong connections can mitigate external stress and protect against depression, anxiety, and suicide.
The role of parents here is crucial for early intervention. Research shows that the stronger the connection to a parent or caregiver, the greater the resilience in a young person.
If we can foster an accepting and validating relationship between pre-teens/teens and parents, this creates an ongoing protective barrier against depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviour.
It is also vital to impart education about the warning signs of mental illness and suicide and coach parents in knowing what to say and how to get help. Suicide is preventable, and parents are well placed to intervene if they recognise the signs and learn how to approach the issue.
At The Kidman Centre, we aim to implement large-scale prevention projects that will impact the prevalence of youth mental illness at a population level.
We are developing a 2-hour online training platform for parents of 10 to 15 year olds, named SuperParent Powers: Safeguard your teen’s mental well-being, that can be completed in the privacy of a home on a desktop, laptop, iPad, or mobile.
SuperParent Powers aims to educate parents on mental health and warning signs of mental illness in pre-teens and teens. The program relies on various evidence-based techniques to help their child to feel heard, validated, and problem-solve more effectively. They will also receive coaching in the evidence-based skills they need to form a close connection with their teenager.
At The Kidman Centre, we aim to implement large-scale prevention projects that will impact the prevalence of youth mental illness at a population level.
We are developing a 2-hour online training platform for parents of 10 to 15 year olds, named SuperParent Powers: Safeguard your teen’s mental well-being, that can be completed in the privacy of a home on a desktop, laptop, iPad, or mobile.
SuperParent Powers aims to educate parents on mental health and warning signs of mental illness in pre-teens and teens. The program relies on various evidence-based techniques to help their child to feel heard, validated, and problem-solve more effectively. They will also receive coaching in the evidence-based skills they need to form a close connection with their teenager.
This web-based platform will utilise world-leading, interactive technology to develop a custom-made, fun and engaging platform. Rather than just imparting knowledge through fact sheets and written material, this technology enables the program to go further by delivering skills-based training through video instruction and experiential learning in which parents practice new skills.
A team of clinical psychologists in collaboration with families in the community has developed the script for SuperParent Powers. Once produced, SuperParent Powers will be rolled out nationwide, free of charge, and a research team, led by Simone Hain, will measure its effectiveness. Production of SuperParent Powers is expected to be complete by mid 2023 and will be distributed nationally.
Dr Rachael Murrihy | Director
Ph: +61 2 9514 4077 | Email: Rachael.murrihy@uts.edu.au | Website: www.tkc.uts.edu.au |Twitter: @rachaelchi | Facebook:@thekidmancentreuts
A team of clinical psychologists in collaboration with families in the community has developed the script for SuperParent Powers. Once produced, SuperParent Powers will be rolled out nationwide, free of charge, and a research team, led by Simone Hain, will measure its effectiveness. Production of SuperParent Powers is expected to be complete by mid 2023 and will be distributed nationally.
Dr Rachael Murrihy | Director
Ph: +61 2 9514 4077 | Email: Rachael.murrihy@uts.edu.au | Website: www.tkc.uts.edu.au |Twitter: @rachaelchi | Facebook:@thekidmancentreuts
