CTIA Wireless Foundation’s Post

We are proud to share the successful completion of our recent Health Service Executive-funded Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course for adults who support LGBTI+ youth. LGBTQI+ people are not inherently prone to mental health challenges because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and harassment can have a significant impact on mental health. Recent findings from the Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland report highlight this: 50% of LGBTQI+ youth aged 14-18 experience severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression. 66% experience severe or extremely severe symptoms of anxiety. The two-day YMHFA course equips adults to recognise, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges in young people, fostering inclusive and supportive environments. A huge thank you to our incredible instructors Sandra Griffin Ryan and Fern Higgins Atkinson for facilitating this impactful course, and to all participants for their dedication to supporting young people’s mental health. Attendees represented a variety of organisations including: Youth Advocate Programmes Ireland, University College Dublin, Youth Theatre Ireland, and TENI 📍 Reference: Belong To, Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland Report (2024). #YouthMentalHealth #LGBTI+ #MentalHealthFirstAid #HSE #SupportingYoungPeople

So glad that the BBC https://lnkd.in/eqtnJP9a are focusing on the absolute disaster that is the SEND provision in this country. It is so hard to put into words how complicated, confusing, difficult and frustrating it is trying to navigate getting the right support for our children. Sadly I had to take my son out of school after I realised that his needs were never going to get met, and the only way to get 'noticed' was by totally breaking him to 'prove' that it wasn't working. It's overwhemingly hard to make these choices, but I know it was the right thing for him and he is so much happier, calmer and less sad and angry. I have not idea what the future holds for him, we move. We wait. We make the choices as they come. But the impact on life, income, work, career, emotional and mental health is intense. I feel like a very fortunate person to have managed to keep working in a reduced capacity (thanks to the flexibility of manifesto) but still many sacrifices have had to be made and I am still extremely frustrated and angry that we are receiving no support, access to education or even diagnosis due to the absolute state of the system. Waiting lists are 4 years in Bristol now. 4 years! In a child's life that is ridiculous. Hopefully changes will finally be made, but the backlog and number of children and families that have been failed is horrendous. https://lnkd.in/eyhnCV2G - Katie puts it so perfectly in this clip. #send #autistic #pda #notfineinschool #sendreform #neurodivergent

Your insights matter! Take 15 minutes to help out a fellow school psychologist by completing the following survey: Examining School Psychologists’ Involvement in Transition Planning for Students with High Incidence Disabilities. https://ow.ly/ghjJ50QTUIZ

💡 Adults with Dyslexia Support Group: Social/Emotional Challenges in the Adult Dyslexic 💡 Are you navigating the unique challenges that come with being an adult with dyslexia? From workplace stress to social expectations, it can be hard to find support. This month, our Adults with Dyslexia Support Group will dive into these social and emotional challenges, offering strategies and a space to share experiences. 💬✨ Connect with others who get it—find support, understanding, and empowerment in a judgment-free environment. 🌟 🗓️ Register now and let’s navigate this journey together - pbida.org #DyslexiaAwareness #AdultsWithDyslexia #DyslexiaSupport #SocialEmotionalWellbeing #SupportGroup #VirtualCommunity #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth #LearningDifferences #AdultDyslexic #YouAreNotAlone #DyslexiaCommunity #FocusOnDyslexia

Awareness, then action!! Many can agree that awareness of mental health has grown since COVID-19, but how do we take actionable steps to build it? It often starts with a simple #CheckIn—an easy first step toward better understanding ourselves and those around us. Kudos to Moji Taiwo and partners for organizing this event with expert speakers, bringing valuable insights on how we can actively support mental wellness.

We're excited to share our new report on the state of mental health among children and youth. This report highlights critical issues and offers valuable insights into how we can support the mental well-being of young people. Key findings include: ✅ The rising prevalence of mental health challenges among children and adolescents. ✅ The impact of early intervention and access to care on long-term outcomes. ✅ Recommendations for policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers. Read the full report to learn more about how we can collectively work towards improving mental health care for our youth.

🌟 As a child psychotherapist, I've been reflecting on an important aspect of our classrooms: the compliant children. These kids often fly under the radar, appearing well-behaved and engaged, yet they may be feeling emotionally shut down or disconnected. While their lack of problematic behavior might lead educators to overlook them, it’s crucial to remember that compliance doesn’t always equate to well-being. These children may be silently struggling, feeling unseen or unheard in a system that prioritizes overt behaviors. I urge educators to take the time to check in with all students, especially those who seem compliant. A simple conversation or a moment of genuine connection can significantly enhance their sense of safety and belonging in the classroom. Let’s create an environment where every child feels valued and supported, where their voices are heard, and their emotional needs are acknowledged. Together, we can foster a culture of understanding and empathy that empowers all children to thrive! 💖 #ChildPsychotherapy #Education #MentalHealth #EmpathyInEducation #SupportOurKids

👋 I'm excited to share that we're continuing to add new resources to our Prepared School Psych community each month. One of the key tools we're rolling out is our eligibility checklists to help guide your teams through the documentation process when determining eligibility. We kicked things off with Other Health Impairment, and this month, I've just shared the checklist we created for Learning Disabilities. It’s designed to emphasize what likely needs to be documented in your reports to support the eligibility conclusion. I’d love to hear from you – which area of eligibility would a checklist be most helpful for you and your team? Comment below and let me know! Thanks in advance for your input, and I’ll see you next time! #SchoolPsychologist #EligibilityChecklists #SPEDResources #PreparedSchoolPsych

Not all trans children want puberty blockers. It’s a minority of them who have ever had the opportunity to access them. What they offered was an amount more safety and comfort for those who did received them when they wanted them. And that is a loss. But what actually shapes the mental health of the majority to trans people, including trans young people, is our exposure to oppression, discrimination and violence, and our lack of access to services and support in light of that. So if you’re concerned about the deterioration of trans young people’s mental health in light of todays news - go out of your way to be a supportive adult and to give them hope, not amplify despair. All the trans adults in the world right now were once kids. We’ve got thousands of examples of navigating puberty, of surviving and of thriving.  There is hope, but the challenges are also real. What we need the energy of the community and allies for now is two things: creating more extensive and resilient support systems to help trans youth navigate growing up; and to join together in solidarity that the biggest challenges trans youth face in accessing healthcare and education are actually the same as their peers (too long wait times, inadequate mental health support, underfunded and overburdened teachers and health workers, and an education system that seeks to control young people more than empower them). #AmplifyHope #TransKidsDeserveBetter #TransKidsAreLoved 

Raising awareness is vital for neurodevelopmental conditions like Autistic Spectrum Conditions. However it’s really important that we listen to Autistic individuals to try to view the world through their eyes, and see what accommodations we can make to society to make it an easier place to live, work, play and enjoy. 𝗪𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡, 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. #Autistic #AutismAwareness #Neurodiversity