Lesson 16: Family Supports

Attention

What do you say / do / tell at a Family Reunion?

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Describe resources that may be helpful for families who are contending with mental illness

Teaching

Impact of Mental Illness on Family

Mental Illness does not only impact the individual, it impacts the whole family system...depends on how involved they are (to some degree)

  • Tier 1: Life in the family is a stream of caregiving responsibilities
  • Tier 2: Less exposed to the ups and downs
  • Tier 3: Share an interest in the well-being but may not be directly involved

Families today are seen as resilient and resourceful, however, as with many individuals, being an adult and living at home causes stress.  This was not the plan. The family can sometimes feel burdened with an unexpected responsibility.  There are also burdens of space, money, time, etc. The family can become stigmatized (consider that society still may associate mental illness with some specific dysfunction in the family)

Specific behaviors can contribute to the burden and struggle in a family:

  • Hostile/abusive behaviors
  • Mood swings
  • Socially offensive or embarrassing behavior
  • Poor motivation
  • Self destructive actions

Impact of Family

  • Independence/Dependence
  • Loneliness
  • Unique burden of spouses
  • Siblings and children
  • Anguish of the individual (missing out)
  • Family Dissatisfaction

Family Interventions

  • Psychoeducational
  • Behavioral Problem Solving
  • Family Support
  • Crisis Management

Topics for Psychoeducation

  • Learning about feelings, learning about facts
  • Introduction to Schizophrenia
  • Introduction to Depression
  • Basics about the brain
  • Problem-solving Skills Workshop
  • Medication Review
  • What is it like to be mentally ill
  • Relative Groups and Self-care
  • Communication Skills
  • Rehabilitation
  • Advocacy
  • Certification and Celebration

Family Recovery

  • Discover/Denial
  • Recognition/Acceptance
  • Coping/Competence
  • Personal/Political Advocacy

Assessment

Lesson 16 Quiz

  1. Visit the Maine branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Describe at least two resources that might be useful for families from this organization. Describe these resources in a short essay.