Welcome to our Ask Robyn service.

Thank you for getting in touch with your question. It is understandable to be concerned when a young adult is living in a difficult situation at home, especially when family relationships feel strained or challenging. Reaching out to look for support is an important first step.

Support for young adults

As your child is 21 years old, they are now an adult. While our service supports children and young people up to the age of 18, there are organisations that provide advice and support for adults who are experiencing difficult family circumstances.

A helpful place to begin is cso.ie/en/suportservices/ where you can find information about a range of support services that may be suitable for your child’s situation. Depending on what they are experiencing, there may also be local community organisations, counselling services, or advocacy supports that can offer guidance.

Encouraging your child to seek support

If your child feels safe to do so, it may help to encourage them to speak with someone they trust about what is happening. This could be another family member, a friend, a GP, or a trained support professional. Having someone to listen and explore their options with them can make a difficult situation feel less overwhelming.

You may also find these suggestions helpful.

• Encourage your child to contact a support service directly so they can receive advice that is tailored to their circumstances.
• Let your child know that they do not have to face the situation alone and that support is available when they are ready to access it.
• Continue to offer a calm and supportive presence while respecting that, as an adult, they will make their own decisions about the next steps.

We are here to support you

Although our service is for children and young people up to the age of 18, we are happy to talk with parents and concerned adults who are looking for guidance. Our Support Line is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm on 01 522 4300. You can also email [email protected].

Thank you for reaching out to us. We hope this information helps you to find the right support for your child. Please take care of yourself as well.

Robyn