End the Silence is an initiative to raise awareness of issues arising from growing up with parental problem alcohol use.

In Ireland, an estimated 271,000 children under 15 years of age are living with parents who are regular risky drinkers. This can lead to social and emotional issues for vulnerable children.

Today we hear the importance of giving these young people a voice, and what kind of support they actually want when they’re struggling. 

Our experts are Research Associate at the Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Dr Cassey Muir, who’s recent doctoral research explored these support needs of children and young people. We also have Chartered Clinical Psychologist with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland, Dr. Cian Aherne who works with young people through the Power Threat Meaning Framework. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Lived experiences of young people affected by parental problem substances
• What help young people actually want 
• Working with young people using the Power Threat Meaning Framework 
• The importance of the young person’s voice 
• Helping young people understand their own story 
• Removing stigma and isolation 
• The power of One Good Adult 
• Tools and training to support young people 

MORE INFORMATION

If you are looking for support visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/ 

To find out more about Alcohol Action Ireland visit alcoholireland.ie

End the Silence Campaign: https://alcoholireland.ie/campaigns/end-the-silence/

GUEST DETAILS 

Dr Cassey Muir is a Research Associate at the Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, UK. Her research aims to improve the health and social needs of vulnerable children and families. Cassey’s recent doctoral research explored the support needs of children and young people whose parents use alcohol and other drugs.

Dr. Cian Aherne is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist. He is a Clinical Manager for Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland. Cian’s background and interests are in critical psychology, social justice and social constructionism. Cian is a proud Limerick man and an avid sportsman. He is married and is the father of 4 young children.

QUOTES

One of the main findings from this is that a lot of children and young people reported experiencimg a great deal of uncertainty across many different aspects of their life. This was very much linked to their parents fluctuation and substance use and the moods and behaviors within the family or to children. This kind of unpredictability led to a great deal of social and emotional impacts for the young person, and these impacts could very much endure, even after the parents substance use had stopped or reduced. - Dr Cassey Muir 

In trying to be trauma informed and aware of the context of their situations, we often bring in the power threat meaning framework. It's a real change of language from ‘what's wrong with you’, to ‘what's happened to you’. - Dr. Cian Aherne 

Having one good adult in your life, who will just listen to you, and take you seriously, and be there for you, is the most protective thing for young people for their mental health and well being  - Dr. Cian Aherne 

KEYWORDS

#substanceabuse #alcoholism #research #children #family 

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