‘Parents Matter’ Webinar Series

Our 'Parents Matter' webinars aim to support parents on the topic of drugs and adolescence. Even though parents are just one of many factors that affect how teenagers use substances, they are the most significant factor. Our speakers take a holistic approach to help you navigate this area.

A series of topics will be covered relating to:

Adolescence
Substance use among teens
Drug prevention and education

Speakers

Professor Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Emer Loughrey, Counsellor
Monica Whyte, Systemic Family Psychotherapist

This online event will support you to understand:

The current drug and alcohol landscape, including the latest drug trends such as cannabis edibles and other substances of concern
Parent’s role in supporting healthy decision making by their children.
Developmental stages: the reasons why parent’s should seek to delay or avoid young people’s entry into the world of alcohol and drug use.
Prevention: The steps which parents can take to reduce the likelihood that their son or daughter develops a substance use problem
Expert experiences: The HSE Adolescent Addiction Service’s experiences in working with young people.
Support: The information and support options for concerned parents in their local are

WATCH BACK: Parents Matter Webinar (23rd November)

The latest webinar from November 2023 was in partnership with the HSE South East Addiction Services.

You can watch this event here.

WATCH BACK: Parents Matter Webinar (June 2023)

Watch our Parents Webinar from earlier this year here

LISTEN: Parents Matter Podcast

Listen to Professor Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist talk about how parents can help prevent their kids from using drugs and alcohol. In the podcast, you'll learn about the latest trends in drugs and alcohol and how parents can guide and support their children to make healthy decisions. Professor Smyth will also explain why it's important to delay or prevent young people from starting to use drugs and alcohol, and give advice to parents on how to reduce the chances of their kids developing substance abuse problems.

Listen on Podbean and on the HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel

Resources

See our resources for parents here.