The Spark Blog

Category: Families

  • Songs For Sound Minds #27 – Ben E. King

    Songs For Sound Minds #27 – Ben E. King

    Songs for Sound Minds are our picks of the best music that uplifts, inspires and boosts mental health. Songs written as an anthem to overcoming the storms of life. The songs that give hope in those times when we are struggling. Today’s entry – ‘Stand by Me’ – is a companion piece to one of…

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  • Myths about counselling – part 3

    Myths about counselling – part 3

    Welcome to part 3 of our 4-part look at the most common myths about counselling. At The Spark have been looking at the misconceptions that can end up discouraging people from considering counselling. We are busting the myths and highlighting the truth about how counselling can help navigate the challenges of life. Myth 7: Counselling…

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  • Couples! Stop Sacrificing ‘Us Time’

    Couples! Stop Sacrificing ‘Us Time’

    Life is busy. For couples with children life is even busier as they shuttle kids from activity to activity, keep the house running and hold down full-time jobs. It is not a surprise that when our counsellors ask couples about how much ‘us time’ they get, the answer is usually ‘no time for that’. No…

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  • Relationship Tips for New Parents

    Relationship Tips for New Parents

    Becoming a parent is probably one of the biggest changes to any relationship since you and your partner first got together. It is a period of transition as new dimensions are added to your relationship and your own individual lives. Focusing on your little bundle of joy is only natural. New parents can, however, end…

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  • Tips to Help Bond with Your Baby

    Tips to Help Bond with Your Baby

    This is a whole new world for you both. Your baby needs to feel safe and secure in your new family so take time to build your relationship right from the start.

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  • Our Top Christmas Film Picks

    Our Top Christmas Film Picks

    Part of the fun of the festive season is staying in when it’s cold and dark outside, and curling up in front of a Christmas film. These days we have hundreds of TV channels, online streaming services and dedicated satellite movie channels. Which sound perfect for finding great Christmas films for you and your loved…

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  • Avoiding Christmas Debt this year

    Avoiding Christmas Debt this year

    Christmas is an expensive time of year for all of us as we buy presents, decorate our homes and enjoy nights out. Costs can soon add up and Christmas debt is a significant problem with 1 in 4 adults in the UK feeling pressured into overspending at Christmas. Loans, credit cards and Christmas debt Many…

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  • Youth Mental Health: Reviews Are Great but We Need Action Too

    Youth Mental Health: Reviews Are Great but We Need Action Too

    Scotland, like the rest of the UK, faces a crisis in youth mental health. Studies and reports detailing the mental health issues faced by children and adolescents are regularly making the news headlines. The existing NHS-provided child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are under severe pressure which has led to extensive waiting times. A…

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  • Male Infertility and Mental Health

    Male Infertility and Mental Health

    Men are in general pretty bad at talking about their feelings. They are taught from their earliest years – both explicitly and implicitly – to hold emotions in. Never cry, get on with it and barely whisper about what is upsetting you. When it comes to male infertility, the whisper typically fades to complete silence.…

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