THE SECOND in a series of Welsh-language podcasts to help families on their journeys through the crucial years of childhood development has been released, with parents’ mental health issues under the spotlight in this issue.
The ‘Mam, Dad a Magu’ podcast series has been created by Cyngor Gwynedd with the aim of using the popular medium to provide information through the Welsh language and also to dismiss some of the taboos surrounding the common challenges faced by parents of babies and toddlers.
In the second episode – which is available on YouTube, Apple and Spotify platforms – Aled Edwards from the charity ‘Sut Mae Dad?’ (How’s Dad?) and Gwawr Miller from the Teulu Gwynedd Service speak openly with actress and podcaster Mari Elen about the mental health challenges parents face.
The conversation refers to the signs that a person is potentially suffering; the first steps towards getting help; what parents can do to promote good mental health; and what support is available to help families.
During the episode, Aled and Mari both share their personal experiences of suffering mental health problems after having children.
Aled experienced a dark time during 2021, after his youngest child was born. Aled said: “I was doing everything I could to prove to myself there was no problem, but in doing so things were getting worse.
“I was having bad thoughts about myself and thinking I wasn’t good enough… I was worried about letting my wife and family down.”
According to Aled, it is vitally important that parents ask for help and have the opportunity to speak openly about what they are feeling, in order to be able to give their children the best start in life.
During the podcast, Gwawr Miller – who works at the Council’s Teulu Gwynedd Dervice – explains why it’s important for parents to be mindful of their mental health and what can help along the way.
Gwawr said: “What’s important to remember is that we’re all different and what works for one person isn’t necessarily going to work for someone else. We’re need to figure out what works for the individual.”
The ‘Mam, Dad a Magu’ podcast series was created after officers from Cyngor Gwynedd’s Children and Families’ Department identified the need for a new way of talking to parents about common problems that can have an impact on children’s natural development, and that this help should be available through the medium of Welsh.
Eirian Williams, Project Officer from Gwynedd Council’s Children and Family Support Department said: “If you’re looking online for help, there are so many resources available through the medium of English but hardly any in Welsh. Here in Gwynedd, it’s only natural for families to want to discuss things like this in Welsh.
“This episode is the second in the series, and follows an episode that focuses on helping parents teach children to use the toilet.
“We’re not here to judge parents or point the finger, our intention is to help families through the key stages in children’s development. The well-being and happiness of children is the driving force in all of this.
“The response to the podcasts so far has been very positive, I think the success of the medium is being able to deal with sensitive issues and in a friendly, warm and fun way.
“We know how busy life is for everyone involved in raising children and so one of the benefits of a podcast is the means to listen to or watch the previous episodes at a time that suits you.
“We are already planning the next episode, which will also focus on an issue that’s important to parents.”
The “Mam, Dad a Magu” podcast is suitable for anyone involved in parenting. It is available for free on popular platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon: https://shor.by/Mam-Dad-a-Magu
Information and resources to help families are available from Cyngor Gwynedd – via Teulu Gwynedd webpage or by contacting the Teulu Gwynedd team on 01286 678824.
