When working collaboratively with young people and their family/whānau, having access to relevant and user-friendly written information and resources is really important.
Family/whānau and caregivers who have concerns about their young person should be provided with written information.
It is important to discuss things directly with families but be mindful that we all remember only a fraction of what we hear and it is useful to have something written to go back to and review.
This page provides various resources such as written handouts info sheets, video links as well as useful website links for parents/family/whānau to access.
Parenting information on behavioural issues
CADS Youth Service has developed the information sheets below to help parents negotiate some of the challenges of parenting young people with AOD and behavioural issues. You may find them helpful when discussing these things with families.
Parenting advice and strategies (web-based)
Below is an excellent website provided by the Australian National Mental Health Research Council (NMHRC), that alcohol and drug clinicians recommend to parents. You could review and discuss them with parents in a session.
Parenting Guidelines for Adolescent Alcohol Use
Mental health information
The following Werry Workforce Information Sheets have been developed by Werry Workforce and provide detailed and helpful information about a range of common mental health issues including information about what treatment might entail.
- Alcohol & Drug Problems
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Family Therapy
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Psychosis
- Mental Health Assessment
According to research, almost 90% of teens don’t get as much sleep as they need on school nights. Check out this in-depth guide (left) on helping young adults get the quality sleep they need.
This website (right) provides ideas/strategies for parents to help deal with or protect their children or teenagers from alcohol misuse, as well as depression and anxiety.
Parenting Strategies (left) provides ideas/strategies for parents to help deal with or protect their children or teenagers from alcohol misuse, as well as depression and anxiety.
The Australian website, Raising Children (left), has useful information about parenting in general as well as some specific information about parenting a child with intellectual disability or autism.
Family services and support
The following websites are good sources of information and support for New Zealand families living with mental health, addiction and other issues.
Family Services Directory
The Family Services Directory lists information about family support organisations and the services/programmes they offer to support New Zealand families to cope with common issues and problems. This list complements the list of services linked to the map on the Werry Centre website.
ADHD Association
The ADHD Association website has information for families, young people and adults with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, including how to access locally available resources and services.
Grandparents raising grandchildren
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust provide support for grandparents/kin who are raising grandchildren/whānau children in difficult circumstances.
Parentline
Parentline works with children who have been traumatised by abuse and domestic violence. They also provide advice and support to parents and caregivers and counselling for children who display challenging behaviour in the classroom and playground.
Parent and Family Resource Centre
The Parent and Family Resource Centre supports parents and families of children and young people with disability.
Real: Because it's your life
Real is a New Zealand youth service developed for youth, with youth. It also provides support to family and whānau. This website is just one of the ways Real offers support to young people to build resilience, confidence and wellbeing.
Parent to Parent NZ Inc
Parent to Parent provides support for parents of children with special needs.
Websites with CEP related information for families
Alcohol.org.nz
www.alcohol.org.nz has information for people who are worried about whether they, or their friends, are drinking too much. There are interactive games where you can test if you know how much is in a standard drink, tips on staying safe and in control while drinking, ideas for hosting parties, and info on getting help if drinking is a problem for you.
Kina Families and Addiction Trust
Helping Families understand the impact of addiction. Provides information, support and advice for family/whānau being affected by addiction.
Too Smart To Start
Too Smart To Start helps youth, families, educators and communities prevent underage alcohol use and its related problems.
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
The Mental Health Foundation has very comprehensive information about a wide range of mental health conditions.
SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE & FAMILY WHANAU GOING TO RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT
Time for a Change Series
Odyssey have developed four workbooks to help young people and their family/whānau make changes. Three of them can be downloaded here. If you are interested in the Home Detox workbook, please contact our youth team to discuss if it is right for you.
Workbook 1 - Preparing for residential treatment
Workbook 2 - Home detox - contact Odyssey youth team to discuss
Workbook 3 - Supporting your young person (a workbook for families)
Workbook 4 - Going home
Under Construction Series:
Alcohol
The following video clip “Under Construction: Alcohol and the teenage brain” produced by Professor Dan Lubman is a highly acclaimed four minute animation that discusses adolescent brain development and highlights the effects of alcohol and risky drinking on different brain regions, as well as its impact on behaviour.
Cannabis
The following video clip “Under Construction: Cannabis and the teenage brain” produced by Professor Dan Lubman is a short animated video about the effects of cannabis on the brain. Brain development, adolescence and short and long-term effects of cannabis are explained in simple language.
