Helping Carers of the Mentally Ill
Manning River Times
Tuesday 27th April, 2010
Are you a carer or a family member with a mentally ill relative? In recognition of the difficulties that carers face, a research trial is underway at the Illawarra Institute for Mental Health at the University of Wollongong.
The program entitled 'Family Connections' is a correspondence-based support program for family members caring for relatives with psychosis. Professor Frank Deane Professor David Kavanagh
Psychosis is a condition where a person loses touch with the world around them, often finding it difficult to distinguish reality from fantasy.
The research trial is funded by Australian Rotary Health and is a collaboration between the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and the University of Wollongong.
Traditional programs for carers of people with mental illness primarily focus on providing the family with educational information and in some cases ideas around self-care.
Whilst this is clearly important, researchers at the University of Wollongong and the University of Queensland have developed a program, which they believe is considerably novel in its approach when compared to existing programs.
'Family Connections' is about helping family members move forward with their own lives in keeping with what is most important to them, even with the reality of caring for a relative with mental illness. The analogy is used of being on a plane.
It is important to fit your own oxygen mask, before helping others.
The program shifts away from a traditional focus on illness and related problems to include recognition of strengths and exercises and skills that focus on improving well-being and facilitating hope among the family. However the importance of providing education is not overlooked, this forms one important part of the program (for example information on mental illness, navigating the mental health system, treatment, managing symptoms and available resources and support.)
Currently there are more than 70 family members taking part in the program but the researchers are still looking for more.
Participants come from all over Australia, from Tasmania to Queensland and NSW to Western Australia. If you are caring for a family member with psychosis and are interested in taking part in this program you can call the freecall number on 1800 153 340.
For more information contact: Dr Sarah Marshall, researcher for the Family Connections program, Illawarra Institute for Mental Health /University of Wollongong. Program investigators are Professor Frank Deane, Professor David Kavanagh, Dr Angela White and Dr Trevor Crowe.