The provincial government has committed $1.49 million to a program that provides support to parents who have children with mental health issues.
“This program has had a very positive impact on the children and families that have completed it. Parents who have come in physically, mentally and emotionally drained have told me they enjoy being parents again after completing the program,” said Dr. Jason Feniak, a Cranbrook pediatrician.
The program, called “Confident Parents: Thriving Kids” is a telephone hotline, available both during the day and on evenings and weekends, overseen by the Canadian Mental Health Association. So long as they have a referral, parents are linked with a family navigator, who can provide tips and guide families to specific resources available.
The program is delivered in six to 14-week long modules, depending on the needs of each family, and there have been more than 1,585 program referrals since it began last year.
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“I’ve had the pleasure of watching the program transform the lives of B.C. families. Parents see improvements within family relationships, better listening and increased follow through from their children, and a more hopeful mood for themselves while they do the 24/7 job of being a parent,” said Ivy Morgan, a coach with the CMHA BC Division.
According to the provincial government, four out of five parent participants have seen an improvement in their child’s behaviour, while also reporting increased confidence in their parenting and coping skills.
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The funding will help the CMHA with the huge demand for the program.
“The demand is significant, there’s no doubt the demand is significant,” said Bev Gutray, CEO with the CMHA, who says there’s about 200 people currently on the wait list.
“We’re trying to provide enough of a menu that we can serve more parents. We want to do it well, and we want to make sure the evidence and research supports those activities.”
The NDP says the government should be spending more on prevention.
“This is a type of program that could be assisted with a little more money. You could then get rid of the wait list, and expand the program to other families who are needing this type of help.”
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