Celebrating Families
Founded by the United Nations (UN) in 1994, the International Day of Families is observed every May 15th to honour the importance of families.
Families, both traditional and non-traditional, are the foundation of society. Our most formative years are spent with our families and those people are likely the most important people in our lives, so they should be celebrated.
What is family to you? At its best, family provides for emotional and psychological security, particularly through the warmth, love, and companionship that living together generates between spouses and any children they may have. Family can provide socially beneficial functions such as the rearing and care of children, caring for family members when they are sick or disabled, as well as providing food, shelter, clothing, and physical security for its members, some of whom may be too young or too old to provide for the basic necessities of life themselves.
Dawn O’Braithwaite in Psychology Today’s article Who is Family and Why Does It Matter? defines family as:
“Networks of people who share their lives over long periods of time, bound by ties of marriage, blood, law, or commitment, legal or otherwise, who consider themselves as family, and who share a significant history and anticipated future of functioning as a family” (Braithwaite et al, 2025).
Whatever your family looks like, however you define family, it should be a support system for you through the good and bad times – but where can you turn if things aren’t as you might wish?
Here are some organisations that you may find useful:
Citizens Advice – an independent, impartial organisation offering confidential advice for free
Carers UK – a UK charity offering advice, information and support to carers
Relate – offering relationship, family, children and Young People’s counselling
Mind – a UK charity offering information and support with Mental Health
CAMHS – CAMHS are the NHS services that assess and treat young people like you if you’re struggling with poor mental health.
NSPCC – the UK’s leading Children’s Charity
Family Action – a UK charity providing support for families, including financial and mental health issues relating to them
Family Matters UK – the UK’s largest specialist therapy and helpline service for survivors of sexual abuse
Stop It Now – offering support and advice to anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse
NSBP – National School Breakfast Programme
Money Helper – Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government
GOV.uk – Benefits and financial support for families
Social Services – assessment of needs
Care.com – best family organiser apps
MyHealthNet – an organisation committed to promoting and enhancing community health and well-being, especially among young people
Young Minds – an organisation who provide young people with the tools to look after their mental health
Young Carers – support for those caring for families in the UK
Papyrus – a UK charity offering support and advice to those dealing with suicidal thoughts or have been affected by suicide
