Social media has been shown to have an impact on young people’s mental health is becoming a very real concern nationwide.

The theme for our  Positive Mental Health week this year was “Belonging”.

The emphasis during the week was on relationships both at home and in school. As social media is having a negative effect on young people’s mental health and on their ability to develop appropriate relationships, we have invited  Mr Tony Hegarty (MIAHIP) to address this issue with parents.

All parents are invited to this information evening which will be held in the school on Tuesday, December 10th at 7.30pm.

Your son has been given a letter to take home. Please return the slip attached to the letter to confirm that you would like to attend.

Please RSVP no later than Friday December 6th.

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About Tony Hegarty

Tony Hegarty is a fully accredited psychotherapist with over twenty years’ experience.

His training includes many approaches to therapy including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy and Biodynamic and Psychodynamic Therapies.

He treats a wide variety of psychological issues including anxiety and depression, family conflict and he has a special interest in dealing with adolescents.

In recent years he is increasingly interested in the more spiritual aspects of recovery and has done training in this area with the Integral Institute in the U.S.

He has also trained with Jon Kabat-Zin in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and more recently he is doing training in E.M.D.R., a revolutionary, non-invasive treatment for large and small scale trauma. He has a keen interest in research, especially into the Neuroscience of Wellbeing and Trauma, and also what Neuroscience has to teach us about the Adolescent Brain and has read and studied  widely in this area.

The school has a long association with Tony Hegarty. His common-sense approach to mental wellbeing is as refreshing as it is effective. In an era when it is sometimes difficult to know what constitutes good parenting – when to stand firm, when to bend, how to negotiate – Tony’s understanding of teen behaviour and, indeed, of our own, will give us an added insight when dealing with our teenage sons and daughters.

This free talk takes place at 8.00pm on Thursday night, 24th January in the school. The talk is open to parents and is supported by the CSN Parents Association who give invaluable support to the school.

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Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh and Parents Association

Dr. Maureen Griffin, forensic psychologist will deliver a presentation to parents

Social Media: Challenges for Parents

The presentation will cover what is currently popular among Irish students; what the potential dangers are and offer practical advice on how to protect children online.

Issues that will be addressed include:

• social networking sites
• social messaging/chatting apps
• video-streaming
• gaming
• mobile device safety
• grooming
• sexting
• screen-time and cyber-bullying

Date: Monday 9th April

Time: 8.00 pm

Location: School – Rooms H1, 2 and 3

Admission: Free

Light refreshments afterwards

This expert talk is being sponsored by the CSN Parents Association.

“informative and helpful”, “highly recommended”, “excellent”

— School Chaplains Association of Ireland

Thanks to the team at Laya Healthcare, Dr. Maureen Griffin has produced some videos outlining key areas of concern for parents who’s children are using technology.

Please click on the links below to read some of her articles on the Laya Healthcare website:
Manage children’s screen time

Family Internet Safety

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