Divna Haslam’s Post

Essential reading for our sector, and highlights how critical early intervention and prevention is to support children and young people experiencing mental health distress as a result of child maltreatment. Case workers, youth workers, adolescent and family counsellors, young parents playgroup facilitators among many others all play a vital role in supporting mental health outcomes. They intervene when there is a crisis, refer for extra support, create care teams around children and young, and build mental health literacy and skills with both children and young people and the adults in their lives. #ACMS #prevention #earlyintervention

Good parenting is the clean water of mental health This study describes the link between experiencing child maltreatment & developing disorders in young people.

 🧠 LANDMARK LEGISLATION | For 35 years, the more than 60 million Americans covered by Medicare weren’t able to access services from marriage and family therapists or mental health counselors. That is until a law, heavily influenced by research at Virginia Tech, went into effect in early 2024. Since then, about 43,000 mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists have enrolled as Medicare providers - making this the largest expansion in the program’s history. And according to Matthew Fullen, associate professor of counselor education, the work is just getting started. Read more about why Fullen’s advocacy and research is so pivotal here: https://lnkd.in/eTEGJ56V #mentalhealth #utprosim #medicare

"Trauma Lens for Children and Young People" Recently, I came across the Iceberg Model within the Practice Approach: Trauma Lens for Children and Young People. It's fascinating how it reveals the complex nature of relationships for those who have experienced maltreatment. Imagine this: positive and stable relationships can be downright daunting for them. Why? Because they seek comfort in what's familiar and predictable. So, they might inadvertently disrupt these connections, gravitating towards what feels safer, even if it's harmful. But here's the twist: as these connections falter, it strangely reinforces their negative perceptions, offering a bizarre sense of predictability amidst the chaos. Moreover, they often lack the know-how to form connections in traditional ways, stumbling through in search of connections, just like they've seen before. #TraumaLens #IcebergModel #RelationshipInsights #EmpatheticUnderstanding Reference Government of South Australia Department for Child Protection. (2020, April). The iceberg model: Understanding the full impact of child abuse and neglect. https://lnkd.in/dsGP5PeM

Let’s talk about court ordered reunification therapy. If you share children with your abusive ex partner, and there has been a gap in contact between the children and their other parent, it is likely that a judge will order reunification therapy. in my early years of being a clinician, I provided reunification therapy for families involved with child protection. There were times when this work was beautiful. And there were times when it was completely unethical. What was the difference between beautiful and unethical? The ability of the parent to take full accountability for how their behavior is and actions negatively impacted the child. This was without blaming other people and without blaming the children. The other difference is parents who made consistent, authentic, and sustainable change, allowed this work to be successful. Those who perpetrate domestic violence and coercive control do not fall into either of these two categories. They do not take full accountability, or really any accountability for how their behaviors harm others. And they do not typically have authentic, long-term change. And reunification camps are NEVER ethical! I do a deeper dive on this weeks episode of The Rising Beyond Podcast if you are interested. I hope that legal professionals and mental health professionals will take a listen so that we can best support. What is the best interest of our children. Link is in the comments below. #childrensmentalhealth #reunificationtherapy #domesticabuse.

How can we recognise when human rights defenders are struggling? Recognising the signs of mental health challenges is the first step in building resilience. In our work with human rights defenders, we prioritise understanding these challenges to provide support that goes beyond self-care. On #WorldMentalHealthDay, learn more in our publication “The Psychosocial Approach Applied to the Protection of Human Rights Defenders” 👇 https://lnkd.in/eXj5gkqt #MentalHealthMatters #PsychosocialApproach #MentalHealthProtection #HumanRights #HumanRightsDefenders #HRDs

This #FastFiveFriday, we're highlighting the Texas Safe Haven Law and the essential resources available to support parents in need. Every child deserves love and care, and every parent deserves the right tools to navigate challenging situations. Here are 5 key points: 👶 Texas Safe Haven Law: AKA the "Baby Moses Law," allows parents to safely surrender a newborn (up to 60 days old) at designated locations like hospitals, fire stations, or EMS stations without fear of criminal charges. This compassionate law is designed to protect the most vulnerable lives. 📞Your Crisis Doesn’t Define You: It's okay to ask for help. Harris County offers a wide range of resources for parents in crisis, including hotlines, counseling, and support services. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. You are not alone. 💆 Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: Taking care of yourself is vital to being the best parent you can be. Whether it's finding time for a quiet moment or seeking support from a mental health professional, self-care helps you recharge. Connect with local resources like Mental Health America of Greater Houston for accessible support. 🌍 Stay Connected: Whether you need information on child care, mental health support, or financial assistance, finding the right resources can make all the difference. Visit dematxllc.com for the full blog post and to explore more community resources! ❤️ Everyone deserves comprehensive support & care. You are not alone. • • #DEMATexasLLC #TraumaInformedCare #CommunitySupport #HarrisCountyStrong

Australia is planning to introduce a new law banning children under 16 from using social media, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prioritizes getting kids off screens and into real-life activities. Age verification trials will take place soon, but experts question how enforceable the bans will be. The move is part of a larger effort to combat the negative mental health effects of social media on young people. #AustraliaNews #SocialMediaBan #CheckItNow #YouthSafety #MentalHealthMatters #AnthonyAlbanese #TechRegulation #OnlineSafety

Recent @AASW_ journal contained 2 separte articles that showcased the broad impact of @SafeandTogether in Australia. One article summarized the results of the @NSWHealth funded project about applying the Model to mental health and substance abuse case. The other article presented results from @dv_west program that used the Model to help keep the focus on the perpetrator and communicate survivors' protective capacities. As result of this program, in all the cases that child protection deemed high risk, the children remained with the mums. https://lnkd.in/djRERHCu #children #domesticabuse #childprotection

Breaking Down the Barriers: Stigma, discrimination, and the scarcity of accessible resources stand as towering barriers between individuals and the mental health support they desperately need. Imagine a world where asking for help is as normalized as seeking treatment for a physical ailment. Through our collective efforts in education and advocacy, we can dismantle these barriers piece by piece. Join us as we explore practical steps everyone can take to create a more inclusive and supportive society. #BreakingBarriers #MentalHealthEquality #WellactivAdvocacy