Adults for Children works with, and offers services to:
- children and youths
- parents and carers
- all who work with children and youths
Adults for Children is a meeting place for all people who take seriously the way children and young people grow up!
If you have questions or concerns about children or youths, you can ring the Worry Line Adults for Children at 810 03 940 or send an email to bekymring@vfb.no .
Take children seriously!
Children and youths need to be taken care of and respected: in the home, by professionals working with children, and when decisions are made. Adults for Children’s vision is that the whole of society should give priority to childhood – put children and adolescents first!
What will we do?
Adults for Children wants to contribute to
- increased knowledge, insight and ability to cope, for adults and carers
- increased knowledge, insight and ability to cope, for children and youths
- increased competence for those who work with children and youths
- increased priority given to matters affecting children and youths by decision-makers
Examples of Adults for Children’s initiatives and offers:
STEP – young people working with each other
Read about STEP - Youngsters helping each other
Arena – training of spokespersons for children and youths
ARENA - a network of spoke persons.
Zippy’s friends
An education program designed for 5- to 8-year-olds. The goal of the program is to teach children to overcome everyday problems, to identify and talk about feelings, and to explore ways to handle them.
Roots and Wings
About adolesens and parenthood
Information exchange
To obtain first-hand knowledge of children’s and youths’ experiences, Adults for Children arranges sessions for them on different themes within mental health. We use work tools and methods specially adapted to this group, and offer training in collaboration with The Transformation Factory.
Discussion groups
Adults for Children educates group leaders and arranges discussion groups. These initiatives include support groups for parents facing special challenges in relation to their children.
Lectures, courses and seminars
We offer a series of lectures, courses and seminars for parents, carers and professionals. These include a training program for professionals who wish to start groups for children who have parents with mental illness. Visit our website at www.vfb.no for a complete overview.
The magazine Adults for Children /Magasinet Voksne for Barn
The magazine Adults for Children provides news stories and professional articles for parents and others involved with children and youths. The magazine places special emphasis on the mental health of young people and brings attention to good practices and also to situations open to criticism. The magazine is published five times a year and sent to AfC’s members and subscribers.
Read Magasinet Voksne for Barn (In Norwegian) PDF-file
Theme issues
Through AfC’s net shop, you can purchase theme issues relating to children and youths. Visit our net shop
Childhood Bank
This website gives an overview and examples of good initiatives and projects being conducted by local councils and regional authorities for children’s and adolescents’ mental health. Visit www.oppvekstbanken.no
Facts on children and youth in Norway
- Some 90 000 children are major users of health services because of life style, pressure, demands and stress. (The Oslo Health Study – youth section, UiO)
- About 30 000 children and youths need psychiatric help – but do not receive it. (Bergen Child Development Study 2004)
- Youths experience increased consequences of their mental problems with age, even though the problems decrease in number. (Health profile for children and youths in Akershus 2004)
- At least 5 percent of Norwegian children have behavioural problems. Behavioural disturbances are four times more common among boys than girls. (Pål Zeiner, Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway)
- One in 10 girls has injured herself deliberately, and the phenomenon is increasing. (Mette Ystaard, The Suicide Research and Prevention Unit, University of Oslo)
- Some 90 000 children and youths live with a mother or father who is mentally ill. (SINTEF Health)
- Around 200 000 children in Norway are affected by their parents’ drug abuse. (Estimate from the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion)
Every year Adults for Children produces the report “Children in Norway” which highlights the need for help and follows initiatives for children and youths.
Do you want to know more?
Contact us:
Adults for Children, Stortorvet 10, 0155 Oslo
Telephone: 23 10 06 10
E-mail: vfb@vfb.no ; fax 23 10 06 11
