Parentline tackles support stigma
Parentline Plus is to target families with teenagers as part of a campaign to remove the stigma behind parent support.
The focus on teenagers, to take place early next year, will form part of the charity's 'Just Ask' campaign. The initiative, rolled out this month, uses postcards, leaflets and posters to alert parents to the state of services that are available.
'Our research has shown parents are afraid of asking for help,' said Parentline Plus head of press and PR Angela Holland. 'We will target schools and professionals working with kids.'
She added that the culture of parent support needed to change because schools often find themselves overwhelmed with appeals for help from parents.
According to the charity's report, 'Parenting behind closed doors', thousands of parents keep problems with-in the family rather than reaching out for help.
Parentline encourages parents to use its helpline for advice and has published a series of recommendations to government, suggesting parent support needs to be more freely available.
The 'Just Ask' message will be attached to other Parentline Plus campaigns over the next year. Director of external relations Jan Fry heads the campaign.
