Empowering Parents in Crisis, or EPIC, was founded on World Kindness Day 2021 by Madeleine Steel.
At its core, the not-for-profit is a safe space for parents of young people, and a platform for parents to connect with other families who are experiencing mental health concerns or life-threatening behaviours.
Like most not-for-profits and charities, EPIC came about when Madeleine, wading through crisis with her own son, noticed a need for meaningful support for parents. EPIC recognises that parents are the first responders for their children, and that empowering parents allows for the best support for their children.
‘It’s really hard thinking that your child’s in the balance,’ explains Madeleine. ‘It’s tough… you want your young person to be able to stand tall and proud.’
EPIC began with walks. Parents came together to talk, listen, learn, and unwind. It evolved to include workshops, and online meet ups. EPIC also offers useful resources like strategies for tackling behavioural issues, podcasts that give practical tips for parenting dilemmas from educators, and information from professionals about drugs, alcohol, neurodiversity, criminal behaviour, and more.
Members are referred to EPIC through the organisation’s connection with local North Shore and Northern Beaches schools, through the police, through hospitals, and through their connection with other organisations in the same space, such as Ku-ring-gai Youth Development Service (KYDS).
EPIC is supported by Ku-ring-gai Council, City of Ryde Council, Mosman Council, and Willoughby City Council. Funding is offered through grants and philanthropic donations, but for EPIC to grow and support more parents, financial aid is necessary. In the 2023/24 financial year, EPIC made over 700 peer support calls, held 24 walk events, 29 workshops and forums, and made over 1,000 connections between parents.
‘Parents are navigating emergency departments, school reviews, late night calls, waiting lists, and they feel helpless, isolated, and overwhelmed,’ says Madeliene. ‘Australia’s amid a mental health crisis. Rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among young people are rising and suicide is the highest killer of young people in Australia.’
EPIC is offering free youth mental health first aid training on the 25th of May in Mt Colah. The next EPIC Walk is at St Ives Showground on the 4th of May.
For more information, visit www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com