Parents to learn role of ICT in children’s mental heath

A mental health organisation said addressing the digital disconnect between older and younger generations is crucial in educating people on the benefits of digital literacy to youth mental health.

Speaking ahead of ReachOut’s ‘Young people, mental health and the internet’ information night, director of programmes and policy, Derek Chambers said ReachOut Parents acts as a helpful tool for parents.

“The idea behind the resource is to provide reliable information on youth mental health issues for parents. The fact that we are doing it online means there is an element of almost taking the mystery out of social media and technology. To some extent we’re all figuring out social media in different ways.

“Traditionally the older people were the more knowledgeable about how things worked but when it comes to social media and the internet that’s tipped on its head and younger people are more knowledgeable,” he said.

The idea behind the night is to create awareness of ReachOut Parents and also encourage parents to become actively involved.

“It’s an opportunity for us to build up a network of parents and we would like it to lead to parents staying involved with us on an on-going basis. Our service model is about providing information online but it’s also about responding to comments through our website.

“We’re seeing a big increase in the comment sections online and in people looking for advice through the site so for us this is an opportunity to recruit some volunteers that might come into our Cork office and help us to respond to the queries we’re getting.”

Mr Chambers is hopeful as many people as possible will avail of the free information night which will take place next Thursday, October 22, at Rochestown Park Hotel.

The night will include contributions from author and child adolescent psychotherapist, Colman Noctor; and child/adolescent psychiatrist Dr Helen Keeley.

ReachOut originally launched as an online youth mental health service in 2010 focusing specifically on teenagers and young adults. After an increase in requests from parents looking for advice ReachOut launched a dedicated site for parents in September 2014 called ReachOut Parents.

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