This toolkit was designed to be used by families who have a family member with one (or more) of the following disorders: anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders (bipolar disorder and depression), schizophrenia, or substance use disorders (alcohol or other drug addiction). The aim of this resource is to highlight some of the more common issues that arise for families who have a family member who is faced with managing a mental illness.
Module 1 provides a very brief overview of the various mental and substance use disorders and the more commonly-seen symptoms.
In Module 2, a reader can find the main features of illness management—identifying risk factors and early signs of possible relapse, developing a crisis plan and managing emergencies.
Module 3 focuses on basic communication skills that all of us use in our day-to-day interactions. These include providing respectful feedback about behaviours and activities your family member engages in and conveying concerns or requests to change a behaviour in a respectful considerate way.
This module also includes a step-by-step approach to working through problems that arise in day-to-day coping with a mental or substance use disorder.
In Module 4 a reader ill find tips and suggestions to help families to care for themselves.
Module 5 presents some useful tips and tools fo parents and teachers to help ensure that children are supported to do the best they can in school.
FREE PDF DOWNLOAD OF A TOOLKIT FOR FAMILIES: A RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES SUPPORTING CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH A MENTAL OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
