Wimbledon Conference Tackles Teenage Mental Health


Parents offered chance to learn about managing their child's wellbeing

Eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-harm and addiction in secondary school-aged children will be discussed at the first parent conference hosted by Wimbledon charity stem4.

The conference will be held on Monday March 20, at Wimbledon College as part of its Changing Minds initiative which aims to raise awareness of good mental health and the issues leading to poor mental health in young people.

Parents are invited to come along and learn about mental health issues, how to identify and manage their child’s mental wellbeing and share common experiences.

The evening will cover four specific areas – eating disorders; anxiety and depression; self-harm and addiction and will help equip parents with information, knowledge and confidence to support the young people in their lives and the challenges they may face.

Topics covered will also aim to help parents take care of their own mental health and wellbeing, as well as giving tips on supporting a young person with a mental health condition, spotting the early signs and preventing relapse.

The conference will feature well-known speaker Dr Nihara Krause, eminent Consultant Clinical Psychologist and CEO and Founder of stem4. She will be joined by Iain Maitland, author of the book ‘Dear Michael, Love Dad’ and his son Michael Maitland. Actress Rosie Day and parent Miriam George will also be speaking.

Wimbledon College headteacher Adrian Laing said: “I am delighted to be supporting the first ever parent conference as part of Wimbledon College’s Changing Minds initiative. It is very important to raise awareness of mental health issues in young people and this will be an excellent event to not only support local charity stem4 but to give parents the tools they need to support their children.”

Cabinet member for education, Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah said: “We are committed to giving Merton’s young people the best start in life and raising awareness of mental health issues is a key part of looking after young people’s health and wellbeing.”

The parent conference will be held at Wimbledon College, Edge Hill, Wimbledon on Monday, March 20 from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 13 and cost £10 which includes tea and coffee. To purchase tickets visit the eventbrite website.

February 9, 2017