Play Therapist, Amy Fogarty, spoke to Donie Tarrant on Near FM to give advice to parents on how to manage children’s anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amy discusses self care, how to keep our kids safe, how to talk to them about Covid-19, identifying feelings and empowering them.

She also explains the power of play for understanding children, reassuring them and allowing them to process what is happening.

Have a listen to interview here:

​Parents Centre contains information for parents and provides links to a wide range of trusted and high quality online resources including learning, parenting and information on supports for parents. It is easy to navigate and will help parents access the information and support they need quickly. It will be updated as new resources and information for parents are developed.
​
Follow this link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/parents-centre/

Yesterday's Irish Times had this article:

Written by Marie O'Halloran
"The effects of the Covid-19 restrictions on children, domestic finances and difficulties living in a confined space are among the main concerns of callers to Accord counselling support phone lines.
A “pressure cooker” environment is also leading to family tensions and callers also highlight mental health problems, inability to grieve properly when a loved one dies, and the pressure of work and study at home as major issues.
Callers highlighted pressure on students from changes in exam timetables, and the challenges of having a home turned into an office and school as well as the stress around lack of security of employment and clashes with family members because of poor communications.

The Accord phone line services (01) 531 3331, (01) 905 9555 and in Northern Ireland (028) 9568 0151 are open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday.
​
Counsellors noted regret at being unable to grieve properly for a loved one who has died because of the severe restrictions on funerals, and callers spoke of the constant negative news reporting and the frustration of not being able to socialise outside."