Participants in the BC Healthy Connections Project have a variety of cultural backgrounds. While more than half (57%) identify as “white,” more than a quarter (27%) identify as Indigenous. Other backgrounds include Latin-American, South Asian and Filipina — with many people describing a mix of backgrounds. Most participants reported English as their first language — in keeping with the study’s eligibility criteria requiring conversational competence in English.
Author Archives: Daphne Gray-Grant
Children with OCD can face their fears
When a young person has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), parents will often take steps to try to reduce their child’s distress, such as helping them avoid feared situations. But these well-intentioned efforts may actually worsen the OCD, making it more entrenched. Practitioners can help — by teaching parents how to help children overcome their fears by facing them. For more information, see Vol. 8, No. 2 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.
Most study participants reported limited education
More than half of participants in the BC Healthy Connections Project (BCHCP) reported having a limited education, meaning they had not completed high school or the equivalent. For those age 14–19 years, 69% had not completed high school; for those age 20–24 years, 38% had not completed this milestone. By comparison, approximately 11% of BC girls and young women in the general population (under age 25) typically do not complete high school.
World Autism Awareness Day takes place this week
Thursday, April 2, 2019 marks the twelfth annual World Autism Awareness Day. Hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world will shine with blue light in recognition of people living with autism.
A qualitative study by the Children’s Health Policy Centre, published in 2015 in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders described the challenges facing both parents and policymakers with respect to autism. The findings suggested that there is an emerging consensus on improving autism services in Canada—which should greatly benefit children. Read the paper here.
Address substance use & parenting, together
Roughly one in 10 Canadian children live with a parent who struggles with problematic substance use. Practitioners can help these families by addressing both substance use and parenting. For example, parent-focused programs can lead to children having significantly fewer alcohol or cannabis problems many years after their parents complete treatment. For more information, see Vol. 8, No. 1 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.
Supporting kids in the time of COVID-19
The COVID-19 public health emergency is putting a lot of pressure on parents, caregivers and others who work with children. They must explain challenging concepts to help children manage their fears and keep routines as stable as possible.
To assist with these challenges, we offer the following suggestions:
- Create situations for children to comfortably ask questions at their own pace. Answer questions honestly using concepts that children can easily understand. For example, explain that the new coronavirus is one of many different types of viruses, like the ones that cause colds. And be ready to repeat your answers as children may re-ask the same questions as a way to gain reassurance.
- Help children manage their fears by modelling calmness and by providing accurate information. This can include explaining the steps you are taking to keep them healthy and safe. (See sidebar, below.) It may also involve highlighting the many actions that community members are taking to protect everyone. And avoid letting children be exposed to media sources that could unnecessarily increase their anxiety.
- Maintain children’s regular routines as much as possible. Fun activities, like playing outdoors and bike riding, are still possible even with physical distancing. Similarly, technology can help with other important activities like play dates and connecting with grandparents.
- Encourage children to think about ways they can help others. This could include, for example, helping neighbours who may need things delivered to their doors, sending positive messages to loved ones who may not be near, or communicating with other children about doing schoolwork together, remotely.
Our sidebar, below, gives helpful resources for parents and families. For children who are experiencing more severe anxiety, the book Helping Your Anxious Child may be particularly useful. (Many local bookstores are offering free shipping for online and phone orders.) The book provides guidance to parents of school-age children on ways to teach cognitive-behavioural strategies to reduce anxiety, including recognizing worries and changing the thinking that encourages them.
Collectively, we have faced serious challenges in the past — including wars, 9/11 and wildfires. We will weather this latest crisis as well, with strong public health leadership and with the support of everyone who cares for and works with children.
Resources for parents and families
New resources to help children — and their parents or caregivers — cope with COVID are being developed rapidly. These include:
- a comic explaining the virus and how to keep safe
- a silent video showing good handwashing techniques
- a new book on handwashing aimed at kids
- a webpage highlighting relaxation exercises
- Seven support strategies to meet the unique needs of children on the Autism Spectrum
- General information on COVID and kids from Canada’s pediatricians
- COVID info sheets — in more than 30 languages
- Info on how to support youth with anxiety disorders
- The CARD system for coping with fears and anxieties
NFP is being tested around the world
While Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) has proven highly successful in the US, every country is different. So now, other countries around the world are evaluating the program to see how well it works in their jurisdictions, too. In addition to Canada, these other countries include the Netherlands and England, who have both completed studies, while Norway and Australia are currently exploring the program’s feasibility. The English trial had negative findings, although the trial in the Netherlands was positive — underscoring the importance of completing the BC trial to learn how to really benefit children and mothers here.
Kinship care aids children
When children cannot live with their parents, the option of living with family — or kinship care — should be explored. Compared to typical foster care, kinship care can lead to improved child well-being, fewer childhood mental disorders and fewer placement changes. For more information, see Vol. 8, No. 3 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.
Public health nurses key to Nurse-Family Partnership
Public health nurses receive intensive education before delivering Nurse-Family Partnership — so they can bring strong skills to the program and also tailor it to the individual to build rapport. For example, nurses meet in the settings of the mother’s own choosing — her home or another place that feels safe for her. Choices like this allow the mother to experience greater convenience — and to develop trust and a close relationship with the nurse.
Schools can succeed in reducing bullying
Feb. 27/20 marks National Anti-Bullying day in which all people are asked to stand up to this serious health risk that arises out of an imbalance in power. Bullying can be prevented, and adults can help. For example, children experience less victimization at schools where teachers send strong anti-bullying messages. In contrast, children experience more victimization at schools with high conflict and limited supervision. So, schools can take concrete steps to keep children safe. For more information, see Vol. 2, No. 4 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.