In this episode of The Kids Are All Right we are out in the wild!
For the very first time, we get out of the studio and bring the show to a live event with a live audience! We speak with Dr Niall Muldoon who is the Ombudsman for Children about why kids' mental health is so important.
Listen and subscribe to the podcast here!
Michelle, Buster and Buddy spoke to Dr Niall at a very special event for Bressie’s charity - A Lust for Life. They were there to tell everyone about their Primary School Mental Health Programme!
Buster and Buddy (and the audience of kids!) find out that an Ombudsman is a person who defends the rights of people, and an Ombudsman for Children defends the rights of children if they have complaints about services the Government provides - amazing!
Dr Niall talks about how mental health is how we feel and think. It’s our emotions and feelings that can’t really be seen, but which affect us every day.
We learn that our emotions and feelings change how we behave, they affect how we get on with people, and influence how we see the world. And when we don’t understand why we are feeling different feelings…THIS is when anxiety can start to grow inside our heads.
And so this is why the A Lust for Life primary school mental health program is so important, because it gives kids the language, awareness and understanding of their feelings and thoughts and how these can impact on their well-being….in bad AND good ways!
And remember, try to; Stay Healthy, Stay Happy and Stay Well!
More about Dr Niall...
Dr Niall Muldoon is Ireland's Ombudsman for Children. He was appointed as Ombudsman by President Michael D Higgins of February 2015.
His is as a clinical psychologist working in the area of child protection for almost 20 years.
The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) has two main roles; to deal with complaints made by or for children and young people about the actions of public organisations, and to promote the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 living in Ireland.
They promote children’s rights and welfare by finding out what children and young people are concerned about and highlighting their opinions to people who make decisions that affect them.
They advise Government and others to help make sure laws and plans respect children’s rights and also carry research to get a better understanding of issues that are important in children and young people’s lives.
Before becoming Ombudsman for Children in 2015, Niall worked at the OCO as Director of Investigations, and before that he was the national clinical director of The CARI Foundation, a charity that provides therapy and support for children affected by sexual abuse.
A Lust for Life Schools Programme
The A Lust for Life Schools Programme is a 10-week teacher-led programme which aims to build resilience, increase well-being and enhance the emotional literacy of 3rd – 6th class school children.
Throughout the 10 lessons, children creatively learn about their wellbeing and self-care with content that is rooted in psychology and has been written by educational specialists and creative by children FOR children.
The programme includes lesson plans, learning material, a Netflix-style gallery of engaging videos, and much more.
And don't forget The Kids Are All Right podcast covers lots of important mental health topics.
