Supporting your child's wellbeing during separation or divorce
Welcome!
This pathway is for parents seeking ideas, strategies and confidence to support their child’s mental health and family wellbeing and resilience as they navigate separation or divorce.
It is based on the latest evidence about what supports children’s mental health and wellbeing and developed together with parents who have experienced separation and health professionals and practitioners who support children, parents and/or families through separation and divorce.
In the following video (44 seconds), separated parents share how this pathway can help. After the video there’s some important information about this pathway and how you can get the most out of it.
The Families Hub is designed to help parents and families identify ways to support children’s wellbeing now and into the future. As you work through the content you will:
be encouraged to think about what might be changing for you and your child, and reflect on ways to adapt to those changes – to support your own, and your child’s, adjustment
consider what you know, think and feel about how parental separation can impact on children’s mental health
notice your children’s experiences and the different ways they are coping and adjusting
reflect on what you’re already doing that is supportive and anything that is getting in the way
collect evidence-informed strategies and tips for things you and your children can do to navigate change and challenges together
support your child to develop skills that will help them navigate challenges and look after their mental health, now and in the future.
At each step along the pathway you will hear from other parents who have gone through separation, sharing their experiences and what helped them during this time. Professionals also offer evidence-based actions that enhance parents’ and children’s wellbeing as well as when to seek extra support if children are struggling with mental health difficulties.
It’s important to note that this pathway covers supporting your child’s mental health during and after parental separation where there is not a history of family and domestic violence. If you have experienced family and domestic violence, 1800 RESPECT offers free counselling, a 24/7 online chat service and resources to support you and your children during this time.