Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 21 January 2016

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Wellness, Well-being and Mental Health: Discussion

9:30 am

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask a question of Mr. Breslin and Dr. D'Alton. Mr. Breslin stated that he was lucky to have a family that was there for him and that offered scaffolding, as he called it, during his difficult childhood. In response to Dr. D'Alton, we had an expert witness, an American psychologist from Harvard University, before the committee five or six weeks ago who spoke about how the child's well-being is formed up to the age of five, how it all depends on relationships the child experiences, and that the child learns resilience and well-being all through the family. We on the committee have been talking all along about the school and the education, but what advice has Dr. D'Alton for families with young children where one really wants to teach them resilience and help them with their well-being?

I understand we need psychiatrists, psychologists, etc., but if the family can help to deal with the issue and prevent it before it becomes a problem, I would like to hear of such solutions. I would like the delegation to tell young mothers and fathers what is the best way to deal with their children.

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