Impact on Urban Health’s Post

"My kids were sleeping on old mattresses. Barnardo’s helped us get new ones, and it’s made such a big difference to our lives." - Graham, 37, father of six Our survey of over 700 frontline workers highlights how dire this Christmas will be for families in poverty: 👉 43% of workers support children who don’t have enough food 👉 31% help families who can’t afford heating 👉 19% work with families living in homes with harmful mould These challenges don’t just affect basic needs; they impact children’s mental health, development, and well-being. For many, Christmas is just another day of hardship. We’re doing everything we can to help families like Graham’s – but we can’t do it alone. #SupportFamilies #SocialImpact

Having personally been broken by the #educationsystem. Then had to witnessed the damage it caused to my daughter, I feel passionately against The Labour Party suggested policy to add 20% to #privateschool fees. https://lnkd.in/ex2EQPh5 It's a chaotic idea that if implemented would leave so many desperate #children and #families in an even more desperate position. There's no magic wand to change the over subscribed, under resourced environments, that just aren't capatable with #neurodiverse minds. My thoughts are with all the children and their families whose futures may feel uncertain once again. If you haven't already, and feel strongly like I do please sign this petition set up by a family who just wanted to do the best thing for their children when the state let them down. https://lnkd.in/ehHKSywM Children's mental health is at crisis point. This policy in my opinion will only make matters worse. No #government seems to get it right. With the rise in #diagnosis, when oh when will #neurodiversity be a priority in our schools? This is a picture of me completely dysregulated when my daughter was at an all time low. #sendhelp #neurodiverse #mentalhealth

Our latest blog post is all about the "Sandwich Generation". 🥪🤷♀️ The "Sandwich Generation"’ is a growing social phenomenon that impacts people from all walks of life, describing those at a stage of their lives where they are caring for their offspring as well as their elderly parents. Nikki discusses this topic, how people can access support and of course managing finances along the way.  READ MORE:

Many children today seem to be losing their sense of morals. It feels like they believe the world revolves around them. They no longer greet the elderly, join their parents in cars and they literally want to push you off because they want to sit. These behaviours becomes worse when they get to senior high schools and that's the many stabbing stories we hear of now . Innocent children are even pushed to behave like them because they sit in the same classrooms with them . After reflecting on this, I can only attribute it to the fact that in most households, both mothers and fathers are so busy working that they barely have time to properly raise and guide their children. Unlike the past, when our mothers engaged in jobs that were flexible so had time to train us. Today's parents struggle to balance work and family life.We have now left our children in the care of uncles, aunties, or nannies, and as a result, there is a noticeable gap in their moral upbringing. Beyond this moral decline, we cannot overlook the fact that some children are also subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of these caregivers. However, that is a topic for another day. Parents need to work ; the man has to earn a living, and the woman has to support financially. But the question is, what can we do to curb this issue while maintaining a balanced family life? Financial stability is essential, but the lack of time for proper parenting is taking its toll on our children. We need to find ways to be more present in our children’s lives despite our busy schedules. It may require some sacrifices or creative solutions, but if we don't make the effort, we risk raising a generation that lacks the values and morals that are so important for society. What's your take on this and how can we solve this problem? Have a fruitful week

As we continue the conversation about the importance of boundaries when caring for a child or adult with mental illness, we move through the ABC’s of building strong boundaries. Last time I introduced A for Agreement. Today, we move on to B-believability. When creating or setting any boundary it is critical the boundary be believable to all involved. If it isn’t, in other words, your loved one does not believe you will enforce it, they will continually find ways to challenge it….the loopholes. To make it believable work through all the scenarios where it could come into question and be sure any issues or risks associated with enforcing it are ones you are comfortable and willing to take. For example- a financial boundary. Are you comfortable with all the risks that come with withholding financial support? Past due bills? Homelessness? Review and address them honestly and with those involved in setting them (remember A-agreement). With both agreement and believabilty your boundary is well on the way to achieving your ultimate goal of building a better relationship with your loved one. Stay tuned as we finish the ABC’s of building strong boundaries with C- clarity/ communication. #helptheparenthelpthepatient. #helpthecaregiverhelpthepatient #mentalhealthawareness Inspired Girl Publishing Group

It's well-known that children raised in families experiencing financial stress face greater risks of psychological, educational, and behavioural problems. What if we provided these families with $26,000 in their child's first year? MCRI's Changing Chances Project, led by Professor Sharon Goldfeld, conducted a study published in Social Science & Medicine to investigate. The study utilised existing data to examine the impact. The financial boost improved children's social, emotional and physical health and educational progress, showing promising results. Additionally, parents' mental health also improved. While income support didn't eliminate all inequalities, it significantly helped. Read the full The Conversation Australia + NZ article authored by Sharon Goldfeld AM, Elodie O'Connor and Sarah Gray ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g5Qv-snw #IncomeSupport #FinancialStress #Families #ChildHealth #MCRIresearch

🌍💚 On this #MentalHealthDay, let's not forget our most vulnerable—children living in poverty. 💚🌍 Mental health is crucial for everyone, but for children facing hunger and poverty, it's even more challenging. Proper nutrition and mental well-being are deeply connected. 🧠🍎 When kids don’t have access to nutritious food, it impacts not just their physical health, but their emotional and mental health too. Food insecurity can lead to stress, anxiety, and behavioural issues, making it harder for children to thrive in school and in life. Every child deserves a chance to grow up happy, healthy, and strong—starting with a full plate and a supported mind. 🌱👧👦 Let's work together to ensure no child is left behind. By supporting Meals and More you are enabling us to support the provision of nutritious meals and resources so we can give them the tools to succeed today and build a brighter tomorrow. 🫶💪 #MentalHealthMatters #FoodForThought #EndChildPoverty #MentalHealthDay2024

At the centre of any conflict, it is the youngest, most innocent ones who are vulnerable, and experience most impact. The last few months have seen our screens flooded with images of the impact of war and conflict on children. We are left stunned by the dark and tragic images and videos emerging of devastation, despair, injury and death. And the number of children impacted continues to rise each and every day. This isn’t just a statistic - each number represents a lost future, a grieving family, and a community in mourning. Numbers - replacing children who should have been in classrooms and playgrounds, safe with their families, having been caught in the crossfire of a conflict they had no part in creating. Children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. Yet, in conflict zones, their lives are overshadowed by violence, destruction, uncertainty and loss - of loved ones, community, land, a sense of security and safety, a way of life and childhood itself. Many children have experienced disability as a direct consequence of the war, have become orphaned and alone. Their childhoods are marked by the sounds of explosions instead of laughter, their senses strained with the assault of war, and terrifying experiences of active conflict, their futures are clouded by the constant fear and threat. The sights and sounds that we can scroll past have become their inescapable current reality. These traumatic experiences lead to a long-term impact on the mental health and development of surviving children affecting all aspects and outcomes of their lives. We, especially those of us who champion mental health, inclusion and children’s rights, must not turn a blind eye to this devastating reality. Rather, we must advocate for peace and to support humanitarian efforts that aim to protect and uplift these children. #children #childsafety #conflict Equilibrio Advisory LLP mentalhealthatwork Inclusion at Work

The tragic story of Timothy Danzelman, who passed away in Plymouth, underscores the urgent need for systemic change in how we address homelessness, addiction, and mental health. Timothy was found unresponsive in the doorway of Plymouth's former Register Office just days after being evicted from his flat. Despite efforts from paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Yesterday's inquest revealed that Timothy had struggled with addiction and mental health issues for many years, and his death was attributed to respiratory depression caused by substance use. Timothy’s story is a stark reminder of the gaps in our social safety nets and the critical importance of timely, comprehensive support services. His family noted that he had been exploited by others on the streets and had long feared he would succumb to his addictions. He was a much-loved son and brother, known for his friendly and generous nature, but he often fell into the wrong company and was taken advantage of. As we reflect prior to the King's Speech, we are encouraged by the Government's commitment to reforming the Mental Health Act and the introduction of policies aimed at improving mental health services. The planned provisions, including the deployment of 8,500 specially trained mental health staff and access to early intervention services in every community, are steps in the right direction. Additionally, Labour's strengthened Renters Reform Bill, which aims to ban no-fault evictions and enhance tenants' rights, is a critical move to protect individuals like Timothy from homelessness. #kingspeech #newgovernment #labour #homelessness #mentalhealth

People With Lived Experience are individuals who have personally encountered AND navigated specific circumstances, challenges, or conditions, such as mental health issues, addiction, homelessness, or systemic inequities. Our firsthand knowledge and insights, gained through direct involvement rather than theoretical understanding, provide valuable perspectives for creating meaningful solutions and fostering empathy in addressing these issues. Solving homelessness requires a compassionate, collaborative, and systemic approach that addresses its root causes, including lack of affordable housing, poverty, mental health challenges, and inequities. By combining long-term solutions like expanding housing opportunities and providing supportive services with immediate interventions, we can empower individuals to rebuild their lives. Success depends on partnerships among governments, nonprofits, communities, and those with lived experience to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness. #nlelc24