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PROGRAM OUTLINE

Session 1: Introduction to the programme, aims

for the 11 week program.The experience of mental health problems in afamily.

Session 2: Experiences of caring for someone

Session 3: Education and information sharing,reaching a shared understanding of the range oftreatments available.

Session 4: Education and information sharing.

Session 5: Communicating in families practical strategies.

Session 6: Communicating in families practical strategies continued.

Session 7: Communicating with professionalsand mental health service providers.Information on community resources.

Session 8: Problem solving.

Session 9: Dealing with crisis and staying well.Session 10: Recovery and hope.

Session 11: Taking care of yourself.

* Number, order, and content may vary basedon the groups needs. The average group willrun approximately 11 weeks for 2 hours eachweek.

For further information aboutFamilies Matter in Mental Health,

please contact

Healthy Minds Cooperative(902) 404-3504,

or email:healthyminds@eastlink.ca

The Capital Health Addictions and MentalHealth Program guiding principlesrecognize the importance of family andfriends in an individuals care. Thefollowing is a direct quote from the guidingprinciples:

Family Collaboration We include andvalue families, and have a duty of caretowards them.

SUPPORTERS OF

THIS PROGRAM

Addictions andMental Health Program

Doessomeone closeto you have amental health

problemor illness?

Families MatterIn Mental Health

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for care

Program aims:

To provide families and friends whosupport someone with a mentalhealth problem or illness theinformation, knowledge, common

skills, and confidence to deal moreeffectively in their supportive role

To provide information about localcommunity resources

To improve the quality of life offamily and friends

What to expect?

Participants will gain knowledgeand practical skills through

education and shared experiences ina relaxed and social atmosphereWhy this program?

Research has shown that peopleexperience less stress and feel moreencouraged about caring for theirrelative/friend and themselves when

they have a better understanding ofmental health problems andillnesses, and how to cope withdifficult situations.

My son, myself and our family are proofthat BFT can and does work. It not only

gave my son his life back, it gave me my life

back too. I am now able to do the things inlife I want to do

- a parent

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Families Matter in Mental Health is aprogram that provides useful skills andknowledge to help family and friendssupport loved ones with a mental healthproblem or illness.

The sessions include:

The sharing of personal experiences byfamily members trained to deliver this

program

Understanding confidentiality andinformation sharing with providers

Practical strategies for communicating Problem solving techniques Strategies for dealing with crisis and

relapse management

Emphasis on recovery and hope Tips for looking after yourself Information on community resources Special topic sessions to be defined by

participants

We welcomeall family and

friends who provide emotional

and/or practical support to

someone with a mental health

problem or illness.

This program is:

Free of charge Confidential Designed and co-facilitated by

trained family members and mental

health staff

Responsive to meet the needs ofparticipants

Open to anyone supporting someonewith a mental health problem orillness, even if that person is notconnected with Capital Health

Addictions and Mental HealthServices

As a family we became able tocommunicate, albeit in small doses, in place

of total confrontation, breakdown, and

chaos. We had allowed our sons illness to

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take over all three of our lives, and we didnot know how to cope.

- a parent