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Slide 2 Disclaimer This is a general discussion about mental health It is not to be interpreted as specific advice in a specific situation Every situation is unique and requires advice to be tailored and adapted to that situation If you are looking for advice about a specific situation or child/youth with mental health issues, speak with a health professional! Slide 3 Learning Objectives By the end of this presentation, participants will be aware that: Strong attachments/connections are necessary (but not necessarily sufficient) for mental health and resiliency Modern society weakens attachments between children/youth and adults, which contributes to mental health and behavioural problems What we can do as parents, professionals and society to (re)build our attachments with our children/youth Slide 4 Britneys Story Background 17-yo female who is having thoughts of suicide Living with her mother; parents separated; no contact with father Gr. 12 student Current resources Seeing a therapist once weekly for 2-months with no improvement Symptoms Depressed for past few months Triggering stress Boyfriend (of past year) broke up with her Slide 5 Todays youth are struggling Mental health issues (e.g. depression, anxiety, suicide rates up 3-4X since 1960s) Behaviour problems (e.g. bullying, drug use) -- youth crime up 300% since the 60s Narcissism and lack of empathy (Twenge, 2011) Slide 6 Depression Anxiety Suicide Behaviour problems Why are todays youth so vulnerable? Slide 7 Q. Why do young children tend to be happier than older children? Slide 8 A. Y oung children are happy because if all goes well, all their needs are met Its easier with young children! Possible needs Hug? Reassurance? Food? Nap? Diaper change? Slide 9 When you consistently meet a childs needs Emotional security View of world: World is a safe place I can trust others View of self: I feel better, thus I am competent Ainsworth; Bowlby Slide 10 Attachment is the single most important resiliency factor for mental health Resiliency Ability to overcome adversity is known as resiliency Not everyone exposed to stresses develops problems; many in fact, will thrive Secure attachments to caregivers and nurturing adults are the most important source of resilience (Bowlby, 1940; Ainsworth, 1979; Schore, 2001; Neufeld, 2004) Slide 11 Q. What happens to parent-child attachments as children get older? A. They often weaken. Young childTeenager Slide 12 If our children/youth are turning away from parents, to whom are they turning instead? Slide 13 Peers, technology, and material things Child Parent Peers Neufeld, 2005 Technology and Things Slide 14 Q. Why is it a problem for children/youth to turn to peers, technology and material things as their primary attachments? Slide 15 A. Peers / things cannot meet your core emotional needs Peers /things are conditional Friendships come and go / peers are still maturing and changing / Your BFF one day can be your worst enemy the next Only parents are unconditional Only parents can reliably provide emotional support, acceptance and validation Slide 16 Normal vs abnormal peer orientation Some peer orientation is normal. Friends and social skills are good But when a teens mental health is dependent on their peers, and when a childs moods and suicidal ideation hinges upon relationships with peers, then this is a problem Slide 17 Orchid children are particularly vulnerable Most people are dandelions Able to take root and survive almost anywhere. Some people are orchids More vulnerable than the dandelions Fragile and needing special care But capable of blooming spectacularly if given that special care! Slide 18 Britneys Story My boyfriend was the only one who understood me Now that were not together anymore, I feel so alone I have no one to talk to My boyfriend was the only one who understood me Now that were not together anymore, I feel so alone I have no one to talk to Slide 19 Why do today's young people turn away from parents as they get older? Slide 20 Q. Back in the old days, what did kids learn about parents from these shows? Slide 21 VIDEO CLIP: MODERN TELEVISION SHOW Slide 22 A. Popular media - What is the message about parents? Slide 23 Media helps push our kids away... Todays kids (either your kids or your kids peers) spend several hours a day on average in front of a TV, or other screens Media messages are that Parents are lame The secret to happiness and success is having friends, and turning to your peers Slide 24 B. Decreased expert role: Where do young people turn if they want to find something out? Slide 25 Q. A child is playing ball with a parent. Who is going to be more competent at it? Slide 26 A. The parent and thus the child learns that parents are competent and to look up to parents In traditional societies, the young learn from and thus respect their elders (But not so in modern ones!) Margaret Mead, 1956 Slide 27 VIDEO CLIP: MODERN TELEVISION SHOW Slide 28 Q. In todays technology obsessed world, who is better with modern technology, our 1) children or 2) parents? Slide 29 A. Our children know more about the technology than we do, which makes them think they are superior Boy, my dad is terrible! Boy, I hate these video games! Slide 30 Economic Factors: Housing costs 2-3X more than in the 1970s 40% of Canadian couples divorce thus both parents work outside the home.. Q. So who are the kids hanging out with when both parents are working outside the home? Kershaw, 2012 Slide 31 From an early age, our children spend more time with peers in daycare and school than they do with adults. Slide 32 How modern technology weakens relationships Slide 33 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation Survey U.S. children/teens 7 hr/day Entertainment screens" Television, cell phones, hand-held games, iPads, Internet games, Facebook and video games 2-hrs/day Violent video games Slide 34 Q. Whats the big deal about video games? Slide 35 VIDEO CLIP: MODERN VIDEO GAME Slide 36 Screenshot from Call of Duty Slide 37 Violence negatively affects childrens brains Violent video games are harmful Research confirms numerous harmful effects of video games on behaviour, mood, relationships, physical health, sleep Violence in media in general Children/youth are exposed to violence in movies, televisions, popular culture All of this desensitizes us to violence and cruelty American Academy of Paediatrics, Media Policy Statement Slide 38 Dangers of modern communication and social media Potential for addiction Superficiality is not true intimacy I have 500 Facebook friends, but I cant really talk to anyone Promotes jealousy and insecurity Cyberbullying Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe, 2011; Dr. Sherry Turkle, MIT and TEDS Talk Slide 39 Texting Destroying genuine human interaction two thumbs at a time Slide 40 How to (Re)Attach to your Youth: Common Sense Principles from Attachment Experts such as Neufeld and Hughes Slide 41 Classic view Attachment as a fixed foundation for the future all built in a childs early years Slide 42 Actually. Attachment is more like bathing you have to keep up with it Slide 43 How connected are you to your child? Do you and your child 1. Spend 1:1 time together? 2. Have things in common? 3. Prioritize each others relationship over other competing distractions and relationships? 4. Enjoy doing things and being helpful for each other? 5. Express affection to each other? 6. Does your child openly come to you to share how s/he is feeling, e.g. for emotional support? Adapted from Neufelds Modes of Attachment, 2005 Slide 44 Britneys Story Yes, I do spend a lot of time with my mom, but I cant talk to her She worries too much She nags me and lectures me Yes, I do spend a lot of time with my mom, but I cant talk to her She worries too much She nags me and lectures me Slide 45 Deep relationships are better than shallow Deep relationship * As should be with parents Superficial, shallow relationships * As is developmentally normal with peers Slide 46 The Most Powerful Strategy to Connect: Empathy and Validation Slide 47 Empathy and Validation Every one has the core need to feel loved and accepted no matter what No matter how they are feeling No matter how successful/unsuccessful No matter how good/bad No matter how smart/dumb, etc.. Parents can and need to be able to meet this need better than a child/youths peers Slide 48 Even your spouses cant meet this as well as only parents can Slide 49 For the men in the room Your girlfriend/wife/female friend tells you a problem she is having with a co-worker at work Q. Most of the time, what does she want? 1) Your brilliant advice 2) Your listening, validation and support Slide 50 Listen for feelings, accept and validate (Connection before Direction) SOOTHE Well get through this How can I support you? Do you want me to listen? Or do you want some advice? EMPATHIZE I can see that youre feeling really sad about this (giving supportive hug) VALIDATE/ACCEPT Thats okay if youre feeling sad Slide 51 Avoid advice, minimizing, invalidating Youre feeling sad about that? Come on, theres a lot worse things than that Dont worry about it Dont cry Theres a lot of fish in the sea You need to just get over this Slide 52 Crying is good because parents can then provide comfort When your child is upset, explore your childs feelings so that your child can grieve about whatever the stress is Crying with a parent is therapeutic: 1) It helps your childs brain process the sadness 2) It helps your child see that s/he can turn to you for support Slide 53 Empathy and validation: Connection before direction Its Monday after the weekend, and you need a favor from a co-worker Q. Do you say 1) I need you to do this for me right now! 2) Good morning! Hows it going? How was your weekend? How are the kids doing? Slide 54 Other ways to connecting based on Neufelds Modes of Attachment Slide 55 Spend 1:1 time with your child Invite your child to spend 1:1 time with you Have dates 1:1 time encourages deeper communication and connection Example Car rides together (good) Going for a hot chocolate together (better!) Warning sign is a youth that doesnt want 1:1 with a parent Slide 56 Connect through things in common We feel closer someone when we are similar or have things in common Find things in common with your child, such as Interests and activities Shared memories Warning sign is a youth that wants nothing in common with parents Slide 57 Prioritize your child When you are with your child, show your child that you value your attachment to your child over your cell phone, email, texting and other distractions Warning sign is a youth that does not prioritize parent, or vice versa Cats in the Cradle, Cat Stevens Slide 58 Be helpful and useful to your child Counter the tendency in Western society to encourage kids to be overly independent and not need us anymore You WANT your child to be dependent on YOU You do not want your child to be dependent on others, or turning elsewhere Slide 59 Be helpful and useful to your child Surprise your child every once in awhile by doing things that your child should be able to do on their own Driving them Helping when they are short on time Picking up stuff they need, etc. Warning sign is a youth that refuses help or being dependent on parents Slide 60 Express love and affection Harlows monkey experiments showed that monkeys required physical affection for development Children and youth need affection, both physical and emotional Warning sign is a youth that refuses affection from parents Slide 61 Attachment tip: At every separation, talk about the reunion Slide 62 Q. Youre just had a great date with someone, and you want to see the other person again What do you say? 1) I had a wonderful time. Bye!, or 2) I had a wonderful time. Want to get together on the weekend? Slide 63 Whenever there is a separation, talk about the next reunion If you as an adult would feel insecure about a lack of bridging, then think how insecure a child would feel...! Children naturally feel more insecure because they are still forming their primary attachments with caregivers ChildAdult Neufeld, 2005 Slide 64 Whenever there is a physical separation, talk about the next reunion Before your child leaves for school Parent: See you after school Cant wait until we go for our walk later after school Text your child during the school day Give your child transition objects, e.g. notes in your childs lunch box; special jewelry or possessions Before parent leaves for an errand Parent: See you in an hour Before bedtime: See you in the morning What do you want for breakfast? Neufeld, 2005 Slide 65 Whenever there is an emotional separation, talk about the next reunion Parent: I really cant let you talk to me that way. It is unacceptable. You need to go to your room and cool down. (or, if that isnt going to happen, I need to go to my room and cool down. Bridge the separation Lets get back together in 20 minutes if were both calmer then I love you; well talk about this later and work it out. Neufeld, 2005 Slide 66 When there is a reunion, ensure there is a greeting When the child wakes up in the morning Good morning! When child comes home after school Hello! Good to see you! I was thinking about you doing your presentation when I was at work today When parent sees child after a longer than usual absence I missed you so much I was thinking about you It wasnt the same with you gone Neufeld, 2005 Slide 67 Summary and Call to Action Slide 68 Attachment and Connection to our Children/Youth Strong attachments (i.e. connections, relationships) of children to nurturing adults is one of the strongest foundations for mental health (i.e. resiliency factor) Unfortunately, many factors disconnect us from our children/youth The good news is that there are strategies that you can use to help strengthen your connection with children Slide 69 Call to Action for Parents Spend 1:1 with your child Connection before connection (by listening, accepting, validating, and ideally avoid giving advice or judgment) Give hope by bridging all separations Every time a parent leaves a child, whether physically or emotionally, talk about the next reunion with the child Unplug and limit negative media messages Neufeld, 2005; Hughes, 2009 Slide 70 Call to Action for Society Family friendly government policies Mandating businesses institute family friendly policies Quality childcare Postnatal not just prenatal classes Family friendly workplace policies On-site, in-house daycare Flex time, job sharing, temporary/permanent part-time, telecommuting, mandatory parental leave, family medical leave, family health benefits, childcare Family friendly media Culture/media that promotes parents as important Slide 71 References and More Information Slide 72 eMentalHealth.ca: for information about mental health and help Slide 73 Questions?