Abstract: Family members are likely to have multiple and overlapping needs & roles – individuals with mental illness and carers. There are many opportunities & strategies for intervention. The best care requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders

Nicholson, Joanne

English

eScholarship@UMMS

University of Massachusetts Medical School eScholarship@UMMS Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center Publications Psychiatry 2010-5 Helping Families— Shifting the Emphasis Joanne Nicholson University of Massachusetts Medical School Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Follow this and additional works at: https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/psych_cmhsr  Part of the Health Services Research Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatry Commons, and the Psychiatry and Psychology Commons Repository Citation Nicholson J. (2010). Helping Families— Shifting the Emphasis. Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center Publications. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/psych_cmhsr/225 This material is brought to you by eScholarship@UMMS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center Publications by an authorized administrator of eScholarship@UMMS. For more information, please contact Lisa.Palmer@umassmed.edu. Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D.Helping Families—Shifting the EmphasisMental Illness Fellowship VictoriaCorporate BreakfastMay 2010www.parentingwell.orgDisclosureswith Karen Albert, M.S., Kathleen Biebel, Ph.D., Bernice Gershenson, M.P.H., Beth R. Hinden, Ph.D., Valerie Williams, M.A., M.S., Brenda Warren, B.S., Chip Wilder, LICSW, Toni Wolf, B.A. & Katherine Woolsey, B.A.We have received support from state, federal, and foundation sources, and from AstraZenecafor non pharmaceutical research.Today’s Talking Points• Family members are likely to have multiple and overlapping needs & roles – individuals with  mental illness and carers.• There are many opportunities & strategies for intervention.• The best care requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders.Mental IllnessSubstanceAbuseParents & ChildrenTraumaA Whole-of-Family Approach:  Families are the focus of mental health promotion, mental illness prevention, treatment and rehabilitationParent’s Well-being &FunctioningChild OutcomesIntervention“Old Thinking”Parent Well-being& Function-ingFamily,Stress &SupportsChildCharacter-isticsChildWell-being &FunctioningInterventionInterventionInterventionManyOpportunities for Intervention& SupportWhat skills, resources & supports can be put into place to support the optimal functioning of parents & children, & promote positive relationships in times of stability & in anticipation of times of difficulty or crisis?What does it mean to serve families?hat does it mean to serve families?It takes a village…• Multigenerational & developmental approach• Recovery in adults: achieving goals & reducing adverse outcomes• Resilience in children: supporting strengths & addressing needsWhat does it take to create the village?(& not be too overwhelmed…)Our Work is Informed by Research & Practice• Survey & ethnographic studies of individuals & families over time• National surveys & site visit projects• Development & testing of our own interventions• Consultation & training to numerous federal, state & local policy makers, providers, consumers & family membersKey Ingredients for Success with Families when Parents haveMental Illnesses• Family-centered• Strengths-based• Trauma-informedKey Ingredient:  Family-Centered Integration of adult & child services Interagency collaboration Funding to meet needs identified by familiesKey Ingredient: Strengths-BasedNon-judgmental approach Support of positive role modelsKey Ingredient: Trauma-Informed Safe environment Trustworthy, dependable relationships Attend to issues of power & controlFamily-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed practices require a paradigm shift in the way providers view and intervene with individuals.Leveraging Partnerships to Create & Coordinate Services for Families• Changing the business we do• Changing the way we do businessCreate New Strategies: Family Options• Recovery & resilience are family matters (family-centered, trauma-informed)• Family goal planning based on strengths & needs assessment (strengths-based)• Family Coaches, Program Director & Clinical Consultant (psych rehab)• Family team of professional, natural & peer support providers (wraparound)The Family Options Implementation Study: The Research QuestionWhat does it take to implement an intervention for families in an agency traditionally focused on providing psychiatric rehabilitation services to individual adults?Implementation Study Themes:Creating…• The workforce capacity• The organizational capacity• The community capacityThe Workforce Capacity• Identify skill sets for working with families• MH/Child welfare, adults and children, strengths-based, family focused services• Recruit staff with relevant experience• Balance characteristics with credentials• Educate staff to intervention model• Literature, researchers/consultant experts in parental mental illness, site visits• Develop targeted trainings to address challenges• Psychosocial rehab specialists address goal planning with familiesThe Organizational Capacity• Develop tools & resources to identify family strengths & goals• Family strengths assessment form• Family goal form• Operationalize protocols & procedures• Maximize what exists, e.g., petty cash• Develop what doesn’t exist, e.g., flex funds• Facilitate communication pathways among ALL components of agency• Internal marketing• Resource sharing, information exchangeThe Community Capacity• Locate sustainable resources for families• Logistics meetings re: families’ needs and strategies to access services• Nurture new relationships with community agencies• Informational events, kick-off, trainings• Reinvigorate existing community relationships• Reintroductions, face-to-face meetings• Leverage partnerships to coordinate services for families• Team meetings with providers to coordinate and maximize servicesEnhance Existing Strategies:provide family-informed… Supported housing Supported employment Supported education Peer support Services for children & youthSome Final Suggestions:• Integrate services, coordinate & collaborate.• Educate colleagues in other disciplines & fields, e.g., primary care, child welfare.• Engage key stakeholders, e.g., youth & adults, parents & family members, as partners to achieve their goals.“My children give me strength, they give me hope, they give me the will to survive…”a mother with mental illnessNicholson, J. (2010, May). Helping families – Shifting the emphasis. Presented as a keynote address at the Annual Corporate Breakfast with the Lord Mayor, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.What does it mean to serve families?Citation:

Helping Families— Shifting the Emphasis

https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1233&amp;context=psych_cmhsr

Helping Families— Shifting the Emphasis

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

eScholarship@UMMS