Young people and their parents can now access free online mental health services to help with exam stress and anxiety.
The ISPCC is launching the Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes to help with the high demand for the Childline Listening Service around exam and holiday times.
It includes three programmes, two of which are available to all parents or carers of anxious children and teenagers.
The third programme is aimed at teenagers experiencing low to moderate levels of anxiety to do themselves.
They include interactive tools, activities, mood monitors and journals to encourage users to apply Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to their own life.
Users have 12 weeks to complete the course under the guidance of a supporter, and can avail of an unsupported version one year later.
Dee Higgins, an ISPCC volunteer who works on its Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes, believes it's empowering for users of all ages:
“It gives parents and young people a chance to deal with their anxieties before it becomes a huge issue. If parents can understand what their child is going through, that’s a huge step.”
The programmes can be found at https://www.ispcc.ie/guided-digital-programmes/.
