Growing up can be tough but a new attempt is being made to harness the experiences of others to aid children in need, writes Anne Dempsey
We may bill them as the happiest days of our lives, but childhood was never ring-fenced.
All children deal with the pain of growing up, with some hurting particularly through bereavement, bullying, parental separation or abuse.
Launched last month, Working Things Out, a research project between Parents Plus Charity, Mater Hospital Family Psychiatry Department and Media Lab, features the personal narratives of 10 young people.
Consisting of a CD Rom/DVD and working manual, it is for professional use in the classroom, in counselling, social work and psychiatry settings, with parenting and youth groups, with training available.
Funded by the Mater Foundation, Northern Area Health Board and National Suicidology Review Group, scripts and graphics were developed by the young narrators.
Among others we hear from Jack and Linda who shared strong emotions of frustration and sadness, Susan felt desolate when her brother committed suicide.
Sam and Kevin were bullied, Louise suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder, Amy eased emotional pain by cutting herself, and Michelle's belief that she was fat caused starvation to a dangerously low weight.
Eileen Brosnan, senior social worker at the Mater child and family psychiatry department, is project director.
"There is a very broad range of stories, some in the serious issue category, others within the range a lot of teens feel - fighting with parents, temper outbursts, separating from family, the routine tasks of the teenager. The overall thrust is to open up comment and dialogue," says Brosnan.
"The stories also show the range of approaches available to help - counselling, medication, family, friends, they all found their own way.
"There is a network of support, a role for siblings, peers, guidance counsellors, music, the things that teens use. Where people find themselves in a less supported place, the idea is to identify what supports there are, who can they trust and approach."
The pack has a strong mental health input, giving relevant background, support and resource information.
In terms of access, the first port of call professionally is, says Brosnan, the GP, who will make any appointment necessary with child and family psychiatric service. "There is a national service, but waiting times vary greatly from being seen very quickly to a possible six-month wait."
Growing up, she says, can be tough. "It's not to say that young people don't live happy, normal lives. But there are enormous pressures - to study, to fit in, to look a certain way, be in the right gang. I would say to parents communicate as much as you can. If concerned about your child, talk to them.
"One big message from this project is that young people put their stories out there to help others who may be going through something similar. This, for them, was the motivation."