Image: colourbox.de
When a couple becomes a family, it’s not always all idle bliss. In five to seven percent of young families in Austria, the psychosocial stress factors are so high that professional help is needed. For this reason the program was created “Early help” launched around ten years ago.
“Professional support for young families at a very early stage can avoid later problems”says Sabine Haas, head of the “Early help”. In this prevention program, families are cared for free of charge as early as possible over a longer period of time. Around 200 family companions are currently looking after their protégés throughout Austria – and recently two men too. Depending on the situation, the families receive comprehensive support: This begins with the supporting activities provided by the family support staff themselves, who also make home visits. The care also includes the provision of psychotherapy through to parent-child centers, playgroups, midwives or medical practices.
“The first 1000 days – from pregnancy to the third birthday – have a formative influence on the child’s later health”says Haas.
On average, those affected use the help for 9.4 months, some shorter, some longer.
What is the financial situation?
It looks at what needs the parents have in the stressful life situation: What is the social network like, what is the financial situation, the level of education and the living situation of the family and what is the psychosocial health of the main caregivers – usually the mother? Because these people are the most important guiding figures for the child; But it is precisely these people who are most burdened. According to Sabine Haas, almost a third of those are with the “Early help” The main caregivers in care have already been treated for a mental illness – either in the past or currently. However, because information is missing for many families, the number of unreported cases could be much higher. Almost nine percent of all accompaniments showed signs of postpartum depression.
25 percent of those cared for are so-called single-parent families, which are almost exclusively women, said Haas. “Many of these families are at risk of poverty.”
When the load is heavy
Financial worries, an unplanned pregnancy and life as a single-parent family are all circumstances that are seen as a burden, regardless of the mother’s health. The figures regarding the experience of domestic violence among those affected in care are also frightening “Early help” shows. More than a fifth of the main caregivers have experienced sexual, physical or psychological violence against themselves or third parties in their immediate environment. But here too the numbers could be much higher.
A third of the “Early help” Women cared for said they noticed an improvement. For the initiators, this is a sign that the prevention program is working, said Haas. Many of those affected reported that they were glad that someone had listened to them during the difficult time.
“There is touching feedback. A mother once sent three pages handwritten because she wanted to say how good it was for her”, reported Haas. Someone else wrote: “Thanks alot! Thank you for listening, the advice and the courage that I often lacked. You were my salvation!”
Information about the program “Early help” at www.fruehehilfen.at
My themes
For your saved topics were
new articles found.
info By clicking on the icon you can add the keyword to your topics.
info
Click on the icon to open yours “my themes” Page. They have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.
info By clicking on the icon you can remove the keyword from your topics.
Add the topic to your topics.
Source: Nachrichten
