Tough teen issues tackled

Talking to your Children about Tough Issues (TATI) is a three session workshop for parents aimed at supporting parents and prevents problems as their children move toward adolescence. Developed mainly to prevent alcohol misuse, TATI has been running in Northern Ireland since 2004.

Parents attending workshops have consistently said that they are worried about a range of “tough issues” their children face today. Based on parent’s views and recommendations from an evaluation, new sessions have been added covering mental health and sexual health.

One parent said: “The programme was a real help, particularly in dealing with my older child. It’s a changing time, she’s no longer a child, but is still not an adult. I would recommend it to all parents”.

“Peer pressure and external pressures are areas that as a parent can’t quite get on top of, but, as a result of the course I am much more confident”.

Eilish McCloskey Western Trust Health Improvement Department, said: “Teenage years can be a challenging time for families. A key objective of TATI is to build parents confidence to influence their children’s behaviour and attitude.

“What parents do matters. Parents can make a difference. TATI will compliment the range of work that so many people and organisations are doing to support families. Research shows that parents were the strongest influence on their children’s lives.”

If you are interested in becoming a TATI trainer, please contact the Western Trust’s Health Improvement Department on 028 7186 5127.