Concerns about children's mental health highlighted

Nearly a third of respondents to a survey of parents' needs in Kildare said they had ongoing worries about their children's mental health, writes Brian Byrne.

In particular they were worried about negative and damaging influences their children might face on a daily basis.

The main influences noted included the potential of bullying as the most significant single issue. Other influences of concern included drug or alcohol use. Concerns about access to social media was linked both with bullying and the use of drugs and alcohol.

A typical responses noted the need to keep children safe 'and protect them from the ills of the internet and social media'.

Getting help for pre-teens and teenagers in the aftermath of a situation like online bullying was also an issue.

A final report on the survey can be sourced by emailing emma.berney@tusla.ie. A pdf version can be downloaded here.