Latest News

The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Mind and the Schools and Colleges Early Support Service are working in collaboration to support parents and carers with a series of Virtual Information Webinars which are specifically tailored to address topics exploring common challenges that can be faced when supporting young people in adolescence.

The webinars will cover the topics listed below. See further down the page for details of each session and how to sign-up or click HERE to download a pdf with the information.

Session:	Date and Time:
Managing teen behaviour that challenges: tips and tricks	Friday 3rd February , 12-1pm
Adolescent self–harm: how to make sense of it and when to seek support	Wednesday 1st February, 5-6.15pm
Anxiety in adolescence: how can parents help?	Thursday 2nd February, 5-6pm
Building resilience, staying connected and nurturing your relationship with your teen	Tuesday 31st January  , 5-6pm
Weathering the storms of strong teen emotions: do’s, don’ts and when to consider talking to someone	Monday 30th January & Monday 6th February, 12-1pm

---

Sessions details and sign-up links:

Managing teen behaviour that challenges: tips and tricks

Date: Friday 3rd February

Time: 12-1pm

Venue: Virtual via Zoom

Most adolescents will at some stage in their development engage in behaviour that parents find challenging and worrying, for instance, substance misuse, being overly argumentative and rejecting, oppositional behaviour and excessive social media use. It can become difficult for parents to find ways of discussing their concerns with their teens who may increasingly not want to hear any advice their parents have to offer. This webinar will provide an overview of adolescent development and the brain, including common challenging behaviours during adolescence. It will discuss different parenting styles and offer tips for parents on how to approach and discuss challenging behaviour with teens, and how to set boundaries. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

Register in advance for this meeting: Our Patron: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families is a company limited by guarantee, company number 03819888, and a registered charity, number 1077106.

Friday 3rd February:

https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqdOitqD0uGdJa3eMje9qQJV6q8ka78WIk

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

---

Adolescent self–harm: how to make sense of it and when to seek support

Date: Wednesday 1st February

Time: 5-6.15pm

Venue: Virtual via Zoom

Adolescence brings about many challenges, including insecurity, self-consciousness, anxiety about one’s own body, and peer pressure. It is not uncommon for teenagers to engage in some self-harmful behaviour for a period of time, for instance cutting, hair pulling or scratching. Understandably, these behaviours can be very concerning, distressing, and confusing for parents. This webinar will provide an overview of the risk factors and methods of self-harm. It will explore the various reasons why young people may self-harm and offer ideas on how parents can talk to and support their teens. Lastly, it will discuss instances of self-harmful behaviour that may require professional support. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

Register in advance for this meeting:

Wednesday 1st February:

https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpdOGhqT0pGN1qMjYWYDC3YdQNKPhmMg3s

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

---

Anxiety in adolescence: how can parents help?

Date: Thursday 2nd February

Time: 5-6pm

Venue: Virtual via Zoom

It is normal to sometimes feel anxious, however for some adolescents, anxiety can become a significant problem that stops them from doing things, e.g., talking to new people, going out with friends, or doing their best in exams. The focus of this webinar will be on what parents/carers can do to help their teens who are experiencing anxiety. It will cover when anxiety is normal vs. problematic, common anxieties during adolescence (exam stress, social anxiety and worries about identity and development), the relationship between parent-child anxiety, and how and when to access support for you and your child. We will also discuss a couple of ‘real world’ examples of common adolescent anxieties and different strategies that may be helpful in those situations. Our Patron: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families is a company limited by guarantee, company number 03819888, and a registered charity, number 1077106.

Register in advance for this meeting:

Thursday 2nd February:

https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwud-mvrz8qHNAXAqRsoKpN-InGCaGcUr3Y

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

---

Building resilience, staying connected and nurturing your relationship with your teen

Date: Thursday 26th January & Tuesday 31st January

Time: 5-6pm

Venue: Virtual via Zoom

Adolescence is a time of insecurity, strong feelings and growing autonomy which naturally affects the parent-child relationship and requires parents to find new ways of connecting with their teenagers. Parents may feel left out and worried, and they may experience a sense of loss over the relationship they used to have with their children when they were younger. This webinar offers ideas on how to maintain and build trust with teenagers, how to stay connected and how to nurture the relationship with their teen. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

Register in advance for this meeting:

Thursday 26th January:

https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqceutrDwiHNa_etTEda6nes70j_8f6hMm

Tuesday 31st January:

https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYlf--qpzguEtz29voB3UY5vy_6X_zD1Nlr

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

---

Weathering the storms of strong teen emotions: do’s, don’ts and when to consider talking to someone

Date: Monday 30th January & Monday 6th February

Time: 12-1pm

Venue: Virtual via Zoom

Adolescence inherently consists of many storms that parents, families, and young people have to weather, many of which are driven by an intensity of emotions that is unique to this developmental stage. Teenagers grapple with their own identity, their social relationships, and their need for autonomy, and in turn parents face the challenge of being left out, managing their own reactions to strong teen emotions, and finding different ways of connecting with their teens. This webinar will provide an overview of the changes adolescents go through, why teenagers experience such strong emotional fluctuations and how these are linked to processes in the brain. It will offer ideas on how to support teenager with their strong feelings and what to best avoid. Lastly, the webinar will discuss the difference between normal emotional difficulties in adolescence and issues that may need additional support. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

Register in advance for this meeting:

Monday 30th January:

https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEodO2srDkoGNQEgWyTobBp5f__3qqYHEtX

Monday 6th February:

https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAoduqpqDspHtMv1TKCbvKj-YePwfElQpqO

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.