Resources - Family and Friends of People with a Mental Illness
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This page contains relevant information and resources for family and friends who may be concerned about the mental health of a loved one.
How Can You Help?
It can sometimes be difficult to find ways to help those close to you, such as a friend or family member, if you are concerned that they may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness. The various Swin-eCounselling resource pages can help you assist your friend/relative to determine whether these symptoms are associated with a mental illness, and may be a good place to start. If you do recognise that someone is experiencing a mental illness, it may help to print out, or direct them to the relevant information that lead you to recognise that they may be suffering that illness (for instance hand them a copy of the relevant resource page and explain that you thought it might help them). The reaction may not always be what you had hoped, and can result in the person denying that anything was wrong. It is important not to feel that you have done the wrong thing, however, as you may still have made that person consider the possibility of a mental illness and demonstrated your love and concern for them. As long as you are careful to explain your reasons for being concerned and that you want to help them feel better, just knowing that someone is willing to be there for them can make an enormous difference to someone recovering from a Mental Illness.
Mental illnesses are treatable, but often people are too afraid to seek help in case they are seen as weak or as overreacting. It is therefore important that if you are concerned about someone, you offer them encouragement and support in seeking help for their symptoms before they become much worse.
Look After Yourself As Well
Caring for someone with a mental illness can also take its toll, so make sure that you are getting the support that you need as well. No one is expected to care for and support someone 24/7, so you needn't struggle to do it all on your own. There are a number of services and resources dedicated to helping the helper, and providing those who care for others with mental illnesses, with the support they need to stay strong. Speaking with a counsellor yourself, can also help you to ensure your own needs are acknowledged and addressed while you offer your support to others.
Swinburne University Services and Resources
- Student Development and Counselling - For one-on-one counselling to help you deal with your own concerns.
- Swinburne Psychology Clinic - For one-on-one, or group, counselling to help understand mental illness and the impact on loved ones.
- Local Community Council Databases - Search for your local community services that offer help for carers.
Other Mental Health Services and Resources for Family and Friends
- AICAFMHA - Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association. Actively promotes the mental health and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and their families/carers.
- ARAFMI - Phone (03) 9889 3733 in Victoria. Association for the Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill, offers mutual support groups, information, library, telephone support and home-based outreach support.
- Bouverie Centre, The - The Bouverie Centre, Victoria's Family Institute, is a state-wide integrated clinical, academic and consultation agency specialising in family approaches in mental health service provision.
- Carers Network - The Victorian peak body of organisations and individuals that support carers of people with a mental illness.
- Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) - Resource centre for information relating to the care and management of families where a parent has a mental illness.
- depressioNet - Information, help and support for people affected by Depression, including family and friends.
- Victorian Carers Services Network - Information on services that provide information, carer support and respite co-ordination for carers.