Episode 2: Natural and supportive relationships matter for children: The Connections First Project

When things in life get challenging people frequently turn those closest to them to provide support. This might be a friend, a family member, a teacher, coach, neighbour or others. The consistent thing is that these supportive people are ones we trust, we feel are stable and are able to provide us with unconditional support when we need it most. Ensuring that supportive connections like these are readily available for children who need it most is even more important. 

Supportive people and surroundings enable children and youth to develop skills, including communication, self-esteem, coping, and decision-making. These skills empower them to create naturally supportive and healthy relationships to promote well-being and success in life.

Dr. Suzanne Tough join us to talk about her research and leadership on the "Connections First" research project that addresses this very idea of the vital importance of providing healthy supportive environments for children and youth. 

Dr. Suzanne Tough is a Professor with the Department of Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary and a policy fellow with the Maxbell Foundation/Burns Memorial Fund. Dr. Tough is also the principal investigator of the All Our Families (formerly All Our Babies) cohort and is a member of the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) and The Owerko Centre at ACHRI.

https://connectionsfirst.squarespace.com/

https://allourfamiliesstudy.com/

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About the Owerko Centre: https://research4kids.ucalgary.ca/owerko

Get in touch with us: owerko.centre@ucalgary.ca

Twitter: @owerkocentre