Understanding today’s networks of influence on young people
A young person’s mental health is shaped not only by parents, but by their entire family, social, educational, employment, and technical environments.
This presentation provides a network view of the many sources of influence on a young person and how caring adults, can help a youngster avoid or manage difficulties including potential or actual mental health issues.
The presentation includes approaches for gracefully managing interpersonal sensitivities of members of the extended family network. Grandparents have a special opportunity as stabilisers, observers, and trusted emotional figures, to provide understandings and opportunities to support a young person’s wellbeing.
Skills and confidence to support young people within the increasingly complex network of family, education, career, and social relations — with a focus on strengthening the grandchild's sense of wellbeing and identity.
In addition to his clinical practice and teaching, James is a board member of the International Society for the Psychoanalytic Study of Organisations (ISPSO) and has presented numerous psychological workshops and papers focusing on network dynamics. This focus and his clinical experience with families combine for this presentation.