Local Parenting Charity Encourages Parents To Develop Children’s ‘Star’ Potential

Parenting NI have launched their annual Parents’ Week campaign, which this year focuses on children’s emotional wellbeing and building their resilience.

Northern Ireland has an overall higher prevalence of mental ill health than the rest of the UK. This is a significant concern for parents, as if children and young people are experiencing poor mental health it makes it difficult for them to develop resilience which enables them to cope with the challenges life presents. Parenting NI has received 64 calls from concerned parents about mental health within their family in the past month alone.

The local charity’s campaign aims to highlight the importance of resilience to children’s emotional wellbeing, through the ‘Every Child is a Star’ campaign. All children have the potential to be resilient, however these skills need to be nurtured and strengthened. Parents play a vital role in promoting and supporting the building of resilience in their children.

As the Chief Executive of Parenting NI explained, “Resilience increases children’s ability to cope with the increasing pressures and stresses of modern life. We hear every day from parents of the challenges their children and young people are experiencing, for example bullying, parental separation, exam stress, pressures from social media and mental health concerns.

Research tells us that children with strong, supportive parental relationships are more likely to be more resilient. When you take this into consideration along with the pressures on mental health services, there is a clear need for parental support to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.”

This year Parenting NI was chosen as one of the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nuala McAllister’s charities of the year. The organisation is delighted to be able to host an event in Belfast City Hall to launch the week on Monday 23^rd October. The Risk to Resilience event will see guest speaker Robin Balbernie, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, who will share his extensive knowledge and expertise on the topic with professionals working with families throughout Northern Ireland.

Speaking about the importance of acting early to improve outcomes for children, Guest speaker Robin Balbernie said, “Children who are treated with kindliness and thoughtfulness grow up to be adults who are kind and thoughtful towards others, and anything that gets in the way of that very simple process needs to be addressed. This is especially important during the first 1001 critical days, from conception to age two.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister said, "I am delighted to offer Parenting NI my support and the use of City Hall for this event.

All of us, but particularly parents, are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health not just for children but adults too.

"Any support which we can give to improve resilience and mental health is vital. Parenting NI is providing an invaluable service to all parents by highlighting ways in which we can support our children and each other."

Parenting NI will host two large family events during the week, with activities for parents and their children exploring emotional wellbeing and information on family support. The organisation has also provided schools throughout Northern Ireland with resources to enable them to engage with parents and children on talking about emotions and building resilience. An online campaign will run throughout the week giving parents tips and information on improving communication, managing emotions and raising self-esteem to help them build resilience in their children.