Ms Suzanne Connolly:

The national well-being programme I talked to the committee about is also available for parents. The whole idea is that rather than talk about how children are feeling, we engage them in exercise to do with their bodies where they express their feelings through activity. Therefore, it is breathing techniques and tapping; it is fun. Parents can also do that in a separate way. What we are actually doing is helping parents understand that how they are feeling is expressed in their own bodies and how that affects their behaviour. What we try to do with parents in this context is help them to understand that how they are feeling might be impacting on their children as well. What I am saying is that it is about giving both the resources and skills to children but also to their parents because that is what is key. Parents sometimes do not realise how their own ways of being or even the way they turn up in their bodies can affect children. They might not say anything but the children know their parents are angry and anxious. We need to be gentle with parents and help them see that. We must give them resources so they then can be alongside their children.