Transcript Professional Development

How You Can Help
A Walk Through the
Family Toolkit
A Resource for Families Supporting
Children, Youth and Adults with a
Mental or Substance Use Disorder
2004
BC Partners for Mental Health
and Addictions Information
In 2002, seven provincial mental health organizations joined
together as BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions
Information.
Objectives of BC Partners:
 Increase mental health literacy among British Columbians
 Provide evidence-based resources on mental health,
mental illness and substance use problems
 Work in partnership with health authorities and community
organizations to build a sustainable base of resources for
people with mental or substance use problems, their
families and the general public
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Introduction and Overview
In April 2003 the BC Schizophrenia Society, as a member of
the “BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions
Information”, embarked on a project to develop a practical
toolkit for families to help them support their family member in
the management of a mental or substance use disorder.
In November 2003, the FORCE Society for Kids’ Mental
Health joined the project to assist in the development of an
additional module “Child and Youth Mental Health in the
School System”.
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Objectives of Family Toolkit
 Help families to identify warning signs of relapse and develop
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action plans in the event of relapse
Provide practical information to families about the day-to-day
management of mental illness
Enhance communications and problem-solving skills of all
family members
Enable family caregivers to care for themselves and other
members of the family
Empower families to ensure that their child is supported in the
school system
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
What you will find
Five individual modules
Practical information
Worksheets to help assist in
What you won’t find
 Detailed information about
mental and substance use
problems
 Information about specific local
illness management
resources and programs
Links to other helpful resources
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Introduction to Toolkit
Management of Mental and Substance Use
Disorders – set of strategies and tools to minimize risk of
relapse and maximize mental health
Evidence-based Information – utilizes our most
current understanding of how families can help and
scientifically grounded evidence about illness management.
Information comes from family education programs,
professionals working with families and families’ expertise in
supporting their loved ones.
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Important !!!!
Toolkit is not intended to replace
professional medical advice in treating
mental or substance use disorders
A Walk Through the FamilyToolkit
Module 1: Understanding Mental and
Substance Use Disorders
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What are mental and substance use disorders?
How mental illness affects thoughts, feelings and behaviours
Types of mental and substance use disorders
Causes and treatments
Common warning signs
Mental illness is a tragedy;
It doesn’t need to be a mystery
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 1 cont’d.
 What to do if you suspect a problem
 Navigating the mental health system (Child & Youth and
Adult)
 Worksheet – Local mental health resources
 What to do if your family member refuses to get help
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 2: Supporting Recovery From a
Mental or Substance Use Disorder
 What does “recovery” mean?
 Developing an illness management plan
Relapse prevention – identifying triggers and warning
signs
Worksheets – Family member’s relapse signature and
ways to deal early with warning signs
 Responding to acute episodes – hospitalization
 Monitoring for signs of suicide
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 2 cont’d.
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Family crisis planning – worksheet and sample plan
Hospital discharge planning with worksheet
Managing medications
Alcohol or other drug use
Managing symptoms or behaviours of mental illness
Ways to reduce stress
Supporting other aspects of recovery
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 3: Communication and ProblemSolving Skills
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To enhance skills families already have
Clarify elements of good communication
Acknowledge communication is both verbal and nonverbal
Practical skills – Communication of praise
Expressing negative feelings
Listening
 Worksheet: Assess your communication skills
 Dealing with communication problems
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 3 cont’d.
Talking to children and youth about mental illness
Tips for effective communication
Conflict situations
Dealing with conflict
Structured approach to problem-solving (with a scenario)
Stages of change
Motivating your family member to make a change
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 4: Caring for Yourself and Other
Family Members
Recognition that mental illness affects all family members
Grieving losses
Effects of a family member’s mental illness on
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Parents
Spouses
Siblings
Young children
Adult children
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 4 cont’d.
Taking care of yourself
Setting boundaries and limits
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 5: Child and Youth Mental Health
in the School System
 Problems children with a mental disorder may experience in
school
 Substance use problems and school
 Supporting your child in school – working with the school
system
 Parents’ rights
 Keeping records
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 5 cont’d.
 Ministry of Education policy – Children with special needs
 Adapted and modified education programs
 Individualized Education Plans – with worksheet for planning
 IEP Reviews – with worksheet
 Accommodations for students with a mental illness
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Module 5 cont’d.
 Effective behaviour support
 Steps towards changing challenging behaviours – with
worksheet on tracking behaviours
 How parents can help – Supporting learning at home
 Tools for students, families and teachers
 Tips for teachers with students who have mental illness
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
Questions??
A Walk Through the Family Toolkit
How to Access Family Toolkit
BC Partners for Mental Health
and Addictions Information
www.heretohelp.bc.ca
1-800-661-2121