Anita Eghenure’s Post

We need to talk about our boys! Recently, my niece asked me a question: "Uncle, why is there so much focus on the girl than the boy?" This question made me realize that we need to do better in addressing the looming stereotype concerning boys and the challenges they face. In recent years, we've seen an increase in projects and opportunities aimed at supporting the female gender, particularly the girl child. These initiatives are vital and deserve our continued support. However, this focus has sometimes led to the inadvertent marginalization of boys, who also face their own set of challenges and vulnerabilities. Boys face unique challenges that often go unnoticed. They are more likely to be involved in violence, drop out of school, and suffer from mental health issues, yet little attention is paid to these challenges. Boys are just as important as girls, and they deserve the same opportunities to succeed. We need to invest in programs that support boys' education, health, and well-being. We must challenge harmful stereotypes that limit their potential. Organizations like Boys Lead are doing amazing work advocating for boys and providing them with the skills and support they need to thrive. Changemakers, In all our projects and works let's ensure we create a society where every child, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to succeed. Photo Credit: Pinterest #GenderEquality #ChildDevelopment #MentalHealthMatters #EducationForAll #BreakTheStigma #SupportOurBoys #BoyLead

Reactive Attachment Disorder(RAD) Some children and teenagers have difficulty forming quality relationships with the important people in their lives. The problem may stem from early childhood experiences of neglect, loss, or abuse that left deep emotional wounds. This struggle is sometimes diagnosed as reactive attachment disorder. If relationship challenges are not treated during youth, these difficulties may extend into adulthood and impact a person’s ability to bond with others and thrive Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) involves a child’s failure to form emotional bonds with their parents or caretakers. RAD is considered rare. The condition sometimes occurs in children who were adopted. Abuse or emotional neglect at an early age may cause RAD. Young children need affection, comfort, and stable relationships to mature emotionally. RAD sometimes develops when these nurturing factors are absent. Sometimes, adoptive parents take in a child without access to a full pre-adoption history. A painful process then begins in which the adoptive parents attempt to bond with the child, but the child is incapable of returning affection.  Individuals with RAD don’t seek emotional comfort. Instead, they may be anxious or scared around their caretakers, even when appropriate love and care are provided. #TheMoreYouKnow #ChildAdvocacy #LGBTQIA+

I’m really hopeful about the latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s national survey showing that some key mental health measures for teens, especially girls, have improved since the height of the pandemic. In 2023, 53% of girls reported extreme depressive symptoms, down from 57% in 2021. It's a small but significant step in the right direction. Growing awareness and early detection are crucial to continue this trend. It’s also encouraging to see that fewer Black students reported suicide attempts and that risky behaviors like substance use have declined. But with high levels of sadness still prevalent, especially among LGBTQ+ students, it's clear we still have a lot of work ahead. Providing early and accessible mental health services will help create safe and supportive environments for our teens. Let's continue pushing for progress to support the mental and emotional health of our youth. Read more from Azeen Ghorayshi in her The New York Times piece today: https://lnkd.in/gYnHfFkc #youthmentalhealth #teensocialmedia #mentalhealthmatters

🎄 Let’s Talk About Mental Health and the Holidays 🎄 The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness, but for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, it can bring challenges that are important to acknowledge. 📊 Here’s the reality: 💔 Elevated Mental Health Challenges: LGBTQ+ youth are significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) 💔 Suicidal Considerations: A substantial percentage of LGBTQ+ young people have seriously considered suicide in the past year, with higher rates among transgender and nonbinary youth. (Source: The Trevor Project) 💔 Impact of Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies: Exposure to anti-LGBTQ+ policies and legislation has been linked to worsened mental health among LGBTQ+ youth, contributing to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. (Source: Trevor Project) At Spill The Tea Café, we’re dedicated to creating a safe, affirming space for LGBTQIA+ youth to thrive—not just survive. 💜 From one-on-one therapy to group sessions, we provide a lifeline where teens can find community, healing, and hope. This holiday season, let’s make mental health a priority: ✔️ Check in with your loved ones. ✔️ Advocate for inclusive spaces in your community. ✔️ Support organizations like ours working to bridge the gap for LGBTQIA+ youth. Your support can make all the difference. Whether it’s a kind word, a listening ear, or a donation, together we can ensure every teen feels seen, valued, and supported this holiday season. 🌟 💌 Want to join us in our mission? Visit www.spilltheteacafe.org or reach out to learn how you can help us provide mental health support for those who need it most. ✨ Let’s make this season one of connection, compassion, and change. #MentalHealthMatters #LGBTQIAYouth #HolidaySupport #SpillTheTeaCafe #SafeSpaces https://lnkd.in/eevt3wHV https://lnkd.in/gzbKh_rD https://lnkd.in/g2HhNf2t

Statements like “Boys are not emotional” or “Boys don’t need as much love” are untrue and they reflect harmful stereotypes that can impede a child's emotional development. Children who have their feelings dismissed may struggle with emotional regulation, face difficulties in forming healthy relationships, and experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. Over time, these issues can manifest in adulthood as challenges with intimacy, trust, and self-esteem. On the flip side, providing emotional support helps children become resilient and self-aware. When children are encouraged to express their emotions, they develop a healthy understanding of their feelings, becoming compassionate, empathetic adults who contribute positively to society. It is key to challenge gender norms and actively promote emotional intelligence in children, no matter their gender. Parents, educators, and caregivers should create spaces where all children feel safe to express their feelings and know that their emotional needs are valid. #steerinitiative #challengingstereotypes #genderequity #allchildrenmatter

Less than 3% of carer and teacher roles in the early childhood education and care sector are held by men. Thriving as Male Educators we understand the challenges of being in the minority. In international and Australian research, 3–4% of the population have reported identifying as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Did you know? 11.0% of LGBTQIA+ young people aged 16 and 17 reported to attempt suicide in 2019. This is almost 3x the suicide attempt rate in the general population. Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination unfortunately still exist in 2024. To help combat this, it's vital to support and celebrate diversity within our society. Safe and inclusive mental health services support help-seeking in LGBTQIA+ people. The Push-Up Challenge Support resources: Lifeline Australia -  Call 13 11 14  Suicide Call Back Service- Call 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue- Call 1300 22 4636 #mentalhealth #earlychildhood #ecec #community

Our trustee, John Baker, has penned an insightful piece for the Male Psychology Magazine: "Families Need Fathers, Because Both Parents Matter". 💡 In this thought-provoking article, John explores the vital role both parents play in a child’s development and why supporting family relationships is essential for building a healthier, more balanced society. 💙👨👩👧👦 🌐 Dive into the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e2dse5Kc 📢 Join the conversation! What are your thoughts on the importance of both parents in a child’s life? Let us know in the comments below. 👇 #MalePsychology #FamilyMatters #Parenting #JohnBaker #FamiliesNeedFathers

Following National Cabinet’s meeting today, we applaud the Federal Government’s announcement of over $900 million in funding to reduce the despairingly high rates of violence against women in this country. Studies show that autistic women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence, facing unique challenges in recognising abuse and seeking support and protection. To get a better understanding of these challenges, we recommend this insightful article (warning, it contains references to abuse): https://lnkd.in/gt9ijpDd We need to ensure all supports provided are inclusive and accessible, and that the experiences of Autistic women and other women with a disability are considered, so that we can work towards creating a safer and more equitable society for all women.

💬 ‘I used to think I’d have to become a brute to deal with a brute’ is a quote from a fictional character in my book, You’re Not My F*cking Mother. Chapter 9: 'Rubbish man' is about a young man reflecting on his experience of growing up with a brutish father who was abusive to his mother, and wondering how it will affect the kind of man he’ll become. A comment I received recently in response to that chapter (from a man) wondered what the mother might have done to provoke her husband into abusing her – he wondered if she belittled him or if she hit him too, things he said he'd witnessed in reality. ❌ No-one deserves to be abused  ❌ No-one does anything to warrant it ❌ Domestic abuse is never justified And yet… ‼️ One in four women in the UK experiences domestic abuse  ‼️ Disabled women are twice as likely to suffer ‼️ Black women are less likely to receive specialist support ‼️ LGBTQ+ women are at higher risk ‼️ Two women a week are killed by a current or former partner  ‼️ One in five children in the UK has witnessed domestic abuse  ‼️ It has a negative impact on child development and mental health  ‼️ Children don’t need to see it for it to effect them ‼️ 2.5 million children in the UK grow up with a version of normal that includes manipulation, coercive control, gaslighting, stalking, punching, kicking, restraining and sometimes killing ‼️ And that’s just the ones we know about… #16days #domesticabuse #stopdomesticabuse #domesticabuseawareness #SFN #YNMFM #GenZ #adolescents #counselling #psychotherapy #therapybooks #therapistswhowrite #TherapistsConnect

‘My parents don’t even know what ‘gay’ means.’ What happens to a child’s physical and mental health when their formative years are spent trying to name and understand an experience that is denied to them because of deep stigmatisation? 💡The invisibilisation and invalidation of queer experiences, particularly in homes with queer children and youth, manifests in the form of anger, abuse and neglect. As a result, young people’s complex understanding of and relationship with their bodies and selves, the world, and others around them are shaped by isolation and a lack of physical and psychological safety. In a short, intimate essay, Vandita Morarka opens by reflecting on how a lack of acceptance in oppressive social systems has a devastating impact on the mental health of queer children and youth. Read the complete essay, published previously by UNICEF: https://lnkd.in/g8NV_yXt 🌿 The essay addresses parents and policymakers, offering a range of insights on how to build safety and acceptance into institutional and ideological systems and embed care into interpersonal relationships. At the core of this change, Vandita asserts, lies the drive to learn about and centre the experiences and needs of queer youth. What is one thing you can do as an adult to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the young, queer people around you? Tell us in the comments! ⬇️ #OneFutureCollective #nurturingradicalkindness #Queerness #MentalHealth #Parenting #Care