ISPCC launches free online programme for Cork teenagers who are anxious

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) has announced they are running free online programmes for teens in Cork suffering with anxiety.

The organisation has said that the busiest times for the Childline Listening Service is around exam times and holiday season.

To combat this surge in calls, the ISPCC are now offering three free online mental health and wellbeing programmes, two of which are designed for parents and guardians of anxious children, and one is aimed directly at teenagers.

Regional services manager at ISPCC South, Aoife Griffin, said that holiday periods can be a very stressful time for some young people.

"It's a time when there can be quite a lot of calls from young people who are experiencing anxiety and stress, especially as the exams come closer,” said Ms Griffin.

Emma Smylie, who’s teenage daughter, Eimear, completed the Space from Anxiety programme, after her GP recommended it for the 17-year-old, said that the programmes offered by the ISPCC have been “so valuable” to her and her family.

“I’ve never asked her [Eimear] if she thought that the programme was working because I know that it is,” said Ms Smylie.

“I know that she’s figuring things out in a calmer manner, [and] the relief of seeing her so much happier is great.

“This course is just so valuable - I really think that it should be implemented in secondary schools as part of their curriculum, especially during transition year.

“I’m going to do the parent programme Supporting an Anxious Teen [and] I think I’ll really benefit from it as well.” The online ISPCC programmes are based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and are created by SilverCloud, a leading digital mental health provider.

Supporting an Anxious Child and Supporting an Anxious Teen are programmes that will help users to understand anxiety and better support their child or young person; and Space from Anxiety is aimed at 15–18-year-olds, and is designed to empower young people who experience low to moderate anxiety.

The programmes include interactive tools, activities, mood monitors and journals to encourage users to apply CBT to their own lives over a 12 week duration.

For more information on the ISPCC programmes, visit: https://www.ispcc.ie/guided-digital-programmes/.