Triple P Practitioners from The University of Queensland will be running seminars around Queensland for parents who want to better support their children to cope with the state’s natural disasters earlier this year and any triggers that come up in the future.
The free Flood Recovery Triple P and Cyclone Recovery Triple P seminars, which are specially developed versions of the Positive Parenting Program, will also help researchers to understand how different families are coping with the aftermath.
Dr Vanessa Cobham, Clinical Psychologist at UQ, Professor Matthew Sanders, UQ, and Associate Professor Brett McDermott have teamed up to develop the two-hour session for parents.
“The seminar is designed so parents can fully understand their children’s reactions to the flooding and Cyclone Yasi,” Dr Cobham said.
“We’ll also show them ways to encourage their children to resolve distress about these events, and how to answer the questions that can be expected as their children try to comprehend the scope of what happened,” she said.
“It's often hard to know exactly what is going on in our kids' heads.
“Even if you think your kids are doing fine now, the seminar can help you deal with distress that can be triggered later by things like storm season, lots of rain or rising water levels.
“The seminar is open to all parents and is relevant for children of all ages – from toddlers to teens.”
The sessions will be held in Brisbane, Ipswich, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Far North Queensland and the Tablelands, South West Queensland and the Darling Downs.
Professor Sanders and UQ researchers are asking parents who attend the seminar to fill out a questionnaire about the support they think families need, and whether such needs are being addressed.
“Parents that participate in the research will help us keep an eye on how this special ‘Triple P’ program assists the emotional health of families and their communities,” Professor Sanders said.
“Those who attend don’t have to take part in the research portion of the program, but we would very much welcome their participation in the questionnaire about how their families are coping.
“This information is useful because their views could be significant for existing support programs.”
The Flood Recovery Triple P and Cyclone Recovery Triple P seminars will be running until the end of June. For more information, including seminar dates and locations, please visit www.exp.psy.uq.edu.au/recovery/
Parents who are interested in participating in the research part of the program should contact Lauren Hodge at l.hodge@uq.edu.au or (07) 3365 6207.
Media: Lauren Hodge, 3365 6207, l.hodge@psy.uq.edu.au
Seminar dates and locations as currently known:
Flood Recovery Triple P - Graceville, QLD;May 24th, 9:00-11:00am - Graceville State School
Cyclone Recovery Triple P - Tully, QLD;May 24th, 5-7pm - Tully Ambulance Station
Cyclone Recovery Triple P - Tully, QLD;June 2nd, 10am-12noon - Tully Ambulance Station
Flood Recovery Triple P - Goodna, QLD;June 6th, 9-11am - Goodna State School
Cyclone Recovery Triple P - Cardwell, QLD;June 9th, 3-5pm – Cardwell State School
Flood Recovery Triple P - Roma, QLD;May, 24th, 6-8pm – Location TBA
Flood Recovery Triple P – St. George, QLD;May, 25th, 3:30-5:30pm –St. George RSL
Flood Recovery Triple P - Withcott, QLD;May, 31th, 6:30-8:30pm –Withcott State School
Flood Recovery Triple P - Laidley, QLD;June, 2nd, 6-8pm –St Mary’s Primary in Laidley
Flood Recovery Triple P – Lake Clarendon, QLD;June 6th, 1-3pm – Lake Clarendon State School
Flood Recovery Triple P – Ipswich, QLD;June 7th, 3:30-5:30 –Ipswich Humanities Centre
Flood Recovery Triple P – Gatton, QLD;June 9th, time TBA –Lockyer District State High School
