Help is finally here for families coping with ADHD
Two new online programmes designed to support children with ADHD and those who care for them have been launched in Ireland.
The free programmes, Living well with ADHD and Supporting a child with ADHD, were made available this week by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).
Created by digital mental health provider SilverCloud, the programmes are part of ISPCC’s suite of free digital mental health and wellbeing programmes and are based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Living well with ADHD is suitable for people aged 16-18 who are experiencing ADHD-related challenges and provides practical, evidence-based support.
The programme does not require a formal diagnosis, making it suitable for young people awaiting assessment or seeking practical support to manage everyday challenges.
Those taking part will learn how ADHD affects everyday life and how to recognise personal strengths and challenges while developing practical skills to improve focus, planning, and organisation.
The programme also explores ways to manage impulsivity, procrastination, and overwhelming situations, while working to strengthen self-esteem, problem solving skills, and emotional wellbeing.
The second programme, Supporting a child with ADHD, is designed for parents and carers of children aged 6-12 experiencing ADHD-related challenges, with or without a formal diagnosis. It focuses on helping them to better understand ADHD and develop practical strategies to manage everyday challenges, strengthen relationships, and support their child's wellbeing.
Neither programme requires participants to be on a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting list.
For Susan Nicholson, whose GP recommended that her daughter Lauren attend CAMHS, the ISPCC programmes were invaluable.
“I wanted to do something that would help our family to support Lauren,” said Susan. “Going through the programme, you could see what other parents were going through and you’re able to relate to their challenges. To know that other people are going through is very helpful.
“As a parent, you’re supposed to know all the answers, and it’s scary,” she added.
Dee Higgins, an ISPCC volunteer who works on the charity’s Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes, believes that the programmes are empowering for users of all ages.
She said: “It gives parents and young people a chance to deal with their anxieties before it becomes a huge issue. “If parents can understand what their child is going through, that’s a huge step.”
For more information on ISPCC’s suite of free digital mental health and wellbeing programmes, visit ispcc.ie/guided-digital-programmes.