ParentingWell

Keeping Families and Children in Mind

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:13:04 +0000

Keeping Families and Children in Mind from Children of Parents with Mental Illness, a national initiative in Australia, is a terrific work force development resource available online. Many people contributed to the development of the resource, including parents, children, family members, providers, and other experts.

Nicholson, J., Albert, K., Gershenson, B., Williams, V., & Biebel, K. (2009). A developmental, mixed methods pilot study of family options for parents with mental illnesses. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 33, 106-114.

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:04:05 +0000

Family Options, a psychiatric rehabilitation wraparound intervention for parents with serious mental illness and their children, focuses on recovery and resilience. Data from mothers provide evidence of significant improvements in well-being, functioning, and supports and resources after six months of participation in Family Options. This study lays the groundwork for further testing and replication of the intervention.

Hinden, B., Wolf, T., Biebel, K., & Nicholson, J. (2009). Supporting clubhouse members in their role as parents: Necessary conditions for policy and practice initiatives. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 33, 98-105.

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:03:38 +0000

It is likely that substantial numbers of clubhouse members are parents with mental illnesses. Supporting them is consistent with the clubhouse emphasis on rehabilitation and recovery. To support parents in the clubhouse it is important to: (1) secure stakeholder buy-in; (2) identify shared values and principles; (3) clarify ways in which supporting clubhouse members as parents affects current activities; (4) facilitate conversations about changes; and (5) explore ways to maximize support to all clubhouse members.

Nicholson, J. & Deveney, W. (2009). Why not support(ed) parenting? Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 33, 79-82.

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:02:26 +0000

Over the past 30 years, groundbreaking efforts have contributed to the evidence for effective psychiatric rehabilitation services. However, work on behalf of parents with psychiatric disabilities has lagged behind. Research and knowledge exchange must be encouraged to build the intervention evidence base. Policies and programs must be informed by research. Stakeholders must advocate on behalf of parents with psychiatric disabilities and their families. Training and work forces issues must be addressed by national professional organizations.

Nicholson, J. (2009). Building the evidence base for families living with parental mental illness. Australia e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 8 (3).

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:59:34 +0000

Given the lack of evidence-based practices for families living with parental mental illness, community providers, service consumers and family members, themselves, are often faced with adapting existing best practices, or cobbling together good enough solutions. Researchers and evaluators must build innovative research frames around practices or solutions generated in the community, as well as disseminate their findings as expeditiously and creatively as possible. Providers, consumers, and family members should be engaged as partners in generating evidence regarding the work they do, as well as infusing research findings into their ongoing activities. (download PDF)

Sved Williams, A. & Cowling, V. (Eds.). (2008). Infants of parents with mental illness: Developmental, clinical, cultural and personal perspectives. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:38:22 +0000

“…This book incorporates the lived experience of family members, including grandparents, siblings, mothers and fathers, with other chapters written by a multi-disciplinary group of Australian health professionals. In addressing clinical, developmental, cultural and personal perspectives, it overviews the field of infant mental health.” (http://www.australianacademicpress.com.au/)

Cowling, V. (Ed.). (2004). Children of Parents with Mental Illness 2: Personal and Clinical Perspectives. Melbourne: Australian Council for Educational Research.

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:32:48 +0000

Looks at the insights and experiences of children and adults who have lived or grown up with parents with a mental illness. Complementing these personal accounts are clinical chapters written by Australian practitioners with a rich and diverse range of experiences. (http://shop.acer.edu.au/acer-shop; email: sales@acer.edu.au)

Cowling, V. (Ed.). (1999). Children of Parents with Mental Illness. Melbourne: Australian Council of Educational Research.

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:28:23 +0000

“…A groundbreaking study into the frequently overlooked impact on children and families of parental mental illness. It balances theory with first-hand experiences from parents and adult children. Through case studies, it analyses a parent’s ability to still function in the role of caregiver, and the impact their illness can have on their children.” (http://shop.acer.edu.au/acer-shop; email: sales@acer.edu.au)

Children of Parents with Mental Illness (COPMI)

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:18:04 +0000

Provides extensive information, materials, and resources for family members where a parent has a mental illness and for people who care for and work with them. (www.copmi.net.au)

Mental Health America

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:55:02 +0000

Provides brochures, self-help, and advocacy materials and referrals for state-specific resources as well as fact sheets with tips for strengthening families. (www.nmha.org)