The first in a series of short videos, aimed at providing practical help to the families of young people with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been released.

The video series, ‘Supporting Families of Young People with Mental Illness', has been developed by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (CPI). The first video to be released looks at attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It features consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr Kieran Moore, who outlines some achievable steps that can be taken to ease the additional burden on both the affected young people and their families, now that they have to stay home all the time.

"I have been very conscious of the additional stress many families of children and young people with certain mental illnesses face since the necessary measures began. The restrictions are particularly challenging for those with ADHD and could see a worsening of behaviours and symptoms.

"I hope this short video with suggested practical and manageable tasks will help them and their family cope with, and survive, the social isolation and having to stay at home," Dr Moore said.

The CPI emphasised that it is essential that those with ADHD and other mental illnesses continue to engage with their mental health doctors and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While this is a difficult time for everyone, it can be particularly difficult for young people with mental illnesses who are trying to cope without important routines and structures, such as school.

According to CPI president, Dr William Flannery, the aim of these videos is to reach "specific families who hopefully will benefit from practical advice from some of our very experienced consultant psychiatrists".

"Obviously with social distancing and minimum contact we have produced them remotely between our office team and the psychiatrists, all of whom are working remotely from laptops, but the message and information in them is most important and we hope it will be useful," he said.

Other videos in development will cover topics such as eating disorders and autism, and the CPI welcomes suggestions on any other topics that families may find useful. Suggestions can be sent to info@irishpsychiatry.ie.

The first video in the series can be viewed here.