The Family Resource Centre National Forum has published a research report on the experiences and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children and families, which found that the pandemic caused an increase in emotional and behavioural issues among children.
Some 97.9% of therapists identified increased social, emotional and behavioural issues affecting children attending FRC therapeutic supports and services as a result of the pandemic.
More than two thirds of therapists and practitioners surveyed identified that the main impact of Covid on children was increased anxiety.
The main benefits of the therapies provided by FRCs were identified by parents as helping their children to recognise their emotions better, reduce anxiety and increase their self-esteem
In 2023, The National ‘Recovery and Resilience Programme for Children’ grant provided one-off funding of €1,000,000 for therapeutic community supports in 83 Family Resource Centres across Ireland including Ard FRC, Solas FRC and Gort FRC in Galway.
The funding was used to support 4,548 children and 3,820 adults in the aftermath of Covid-19 with 71% of FRCs reporting a decrease in their waiting lists for services like play therapy, one-to-one psychotherapy, and parenting workshops.
Fergal Landy, CEO National Forum of Family Resource Centres, said that the report clearly shows what FRCs in Galway and across the country have achieved with one-off funding.
“Imagine what could be achieved with consistent, long-term funding,” he said. “We could plan for the future, invest in full-time practitioners and ensure that appropriate therapeutic supports are consistently available for families when they need it most.”
“This report has shown the efficacy of therapeutic supports in dramatically reducing waiting lists. The cost-effective approach is evidence based and we strongly advocate for commitment to long-term funding so that we can provide these vital therapeutic services in FRCs in Galway and nationwide.”
Overall, the research found that Covid-19 had a significant impact on both children and parents in terms of increased anxiety, mental health difficulties and social, emotional and developmental impacts.
The research also showed ‘Recovery and Resilience’ funded therapies such as play therapy for children and one-to-one therapy for parents were of great benefit to children and parents in terms of outcomes.
