Growing Stronger, Together: Enhancing resiliency within families affected by mental illness and/or addiction.

Debby Sutton Farah ElnashiB.Sc., M.Soc.Sc., PGDipPsych (Com) B.A., PGDip. Counselling

Programme Manager Clinical Team Leader

A presentation for Cutting Edge, Nelson, September 2015

Children Of Parents with Mental Illness/ Addiction (COPMIA)

These children are 40-80% more likely to experience poor mental health.

(Hosman, van Doesum & van Santvoort, 2009)

COPMIA programmes reduce this risk by 40% and enhance treatment outcomes for parents.

(Siegenthaler, Munder, & Egger, 2012; Maybery & Reupert, 2008).

Aims1) Client Satisfaction2) Increased protective factors

A family holiday programme &

Optional after-school groups

Delivery to Date• 8 holiday programmes • 27 families • 51 children & teens

Interventions Provided

FormatPsycho-education groups Family activity day

ContentThe 3 R’s

FoundationPerson-centered

Whānau-centeredStrengths based

How can we strengthen families we work with?

How can we strengthen families through delivering COPMIA programmes?

The 3 Rs:

The 3 Rs:

How can we resource families?

How can we resource families to access our COPMIA programmes?

All images copyright to Asha Munn  - Photographer, Artist and Art therapist

The 3 Rs:

How can we support families to develop stronger relationships?

How can we enhance relationships through delivering COPMIA programmes?

Recipe for an awesome family….

5 cups of love, 7 cups of respect, 2 cups of hugs, mix with laughter, bake in the oven for 25 minutes, then eat together!

-11 year old participant

Supporting Parents/ Caregivers Delivering COPMIA Programmes• Focus on strengths. • Develop a delivery framework.

• Link families up with information and resources.

• Enhance access to the programme.

• Support families to have fun. • Be inclusive and flexible.

Helping families to overcome stigma is key to strengthening families

Counties Manukau Health