Separation and divorce are hard on every family member, so it can be a particularly challenging time for a parent who wants their child to have all the support they need. But help is out there…. There are many useful resources and services for children and for parents, which can provide essential support, guidance and advice at this time:
One Family provides specialist family support services to people parenting alone and sharing parenting. You can contact ‘askonefamily’, their national helpline on: 1890 66 22 12 or review all their services for one-parent families on their website here.
Parentline is a confidential helpline for parents under stress or who are worried about any aspect of parenting: www.parentline.ie or Telephone: 1890 927 277
Rainbows is a voluntary organisation that runs peer support programmes for children and young people who have experienced separation, divorce or bereavement. Details from their website here.
ReachOut.com is a service dedicated to taking the mystery out of mental health, aiming to provide quality assured mental health information and inspiring real life stories by young people to help other young people get through tough times. ReachOut.com also provides information about other services that can help people deal with mental health problems.
SpunOut, Irelands National Youth website, provides young people with an accessible, youth-led support service that is available all year round. It features many factsheets and articles covering issues and such as bullying, exams, mental health, and much more. Find out more on their website here.
Even though the feelings children experience at this time, can be tough – anxiety, anger, fear and worry – these feelings are normal, and should improve with time.
However, if your child is not improving, and symptoms are getting worse or more acute then your child may need additional help or support. It is vital that you contact your GP or a specialist in child therapy to seek help.
In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
If you need advice or support on any of the issues raised above, please call Alan Finnerty on 01 637 6200. Or you can email him at alan.finnerty@orpenfranks.ie
