The Spark Blog

Category: Children and Young People

  • Life Hacks for Mental Health – Part 3

    Life Hacks for Mental Health – Part 3

    In the final part of our life hacks series we are looking at how doing what you are good at, keeping in touch and asking for help can set you on the path to good mental health. Catch up on part 1 and part 2 of the life hacks series. 7. Do things you are…

    /

  • Infant Mental Health Before Birth

    Infant Mental Health Before Birth

    There is no denying that the mental health of children and young people is in decline. Last week further data was released confirming more children and young people are requiring support for mental health issues. Worse still NHS therapeutic services are struggling to meet government targets of 18 weeks from referral to accessing support. In…

    /

  • Life Hacks for Mental Health – Part 2

    Life Hacks for Mental Health – Part 2

    Welcome to part 2 of The Spark’s life hacks for mental health series. This time we are looking at how getting active, putting the cork back in the bottle and looking out for others can boost mental health. Catch up on part 1 of the life hacks series – covering healthy eating, slowing life down…

    /

  • Can I ‘have it all’ and Mental Health?

    Can I ‘have it all’ and Mental Health?

    As part of Mental Health Awareness week we are considering this year’s theme: surviving or thriving? 21st century society leads us to believe that we can ‘have it all’. Where all is defined loosely as everything an individual might desire at some point in their life. The reality – and whether we end up surviving…

    /

  • Sexting: 5 Ways to Protect Your Child

    Sexting: 5 Ways to Protect Your Child

    Raising children in the digital age brings with it a host of challenges previous generations never faced. One such high profile and extremely distressing issue is sexting. Sexting is an issue that is fast becoming a common problem. As the lives of young people become ever more embedded in social media, its significance and the…

    /

  • Tips for Parents During Exams

    Tips for Parents During Exams

    Exam time can be as stressful for parents as it is for students. The normal teenage angst that leads to tension in the household cranks up a few notches during exam preparation. Indeed, many parents will recall attempts to ‘help’ their stressed-out teen that are interpreted as an act of war worthy of Michael Howard.…

    /

  • Exam Stress Tips for Students

    Exam Stress Tips for Students

    It is not long until schools, colleges and universities across Scotland will put up their ‘Quiet! Exam in Progress’ signs. And with it comes the inevitable exam stress and worry. To help you cope with pre-exam nerves, The Spark has prepared some top tips. We work in Scottish schools providing courses on how to cope…

    /

  • Top 5 Kids’ Easter Holiday Activities

    Top 5 Kids’ Easter Holiday Activities

    How to keep the kids busy during the Easter school holiday The Easter school holiday is nearly upon us. Parents can look forward to asking the same big question a dozen times: what do I do with the kids today? To help ease the pressure on stressed-out parents, here are our top 5 things to…

    /

  • Relationships and Social Media

    Relationships and Social Media

    Social media is becoming ever more intertwined in our lives and relationships. In an earlier blog we looked at the concept of the ‘digital shadow’ and the risk to relationships between parents and children. The conclusion being that parents who share every aspect of a child’s life on social media risk damage to their future…

    /