Why COMIC?
Sometimes you just have
to laugh!
Crossroads Conference
Abstracts and papers presented at the 'Crossroads Conference' held on 18th February, 2003.
Kidz Club - Presented by Su Stephens
A version of Kidz Club was provided in Noarlunga jointly by Adult Mental Health and CAMHS for families where a parent had a mental illness. Simultaneous groups were provided for parents and children aged 7 to 12 years. Groups encouraged communication to overcome secrecy and to assist people to form peer support. The groups were evaluated very positively by participants. Conclusions drawn by group facilitators were presented.
Parent Assist - Presented by Don Tustin
The Parent Assist program provides practical in-home support for parents with a mental illness, using Family Support workers. Parent Assist is a preventive program that is targeted at parents who are at risk of being hospitalised or have recently been hospitalised arising from relapse of illness associated with stress from parenting tasks. The program provides short term support to promote empowerment of the family as a whole. An evaluation of the first year of the small pilot program is available.
COPMI – Good practice principles and guidelines - Presented by Elizabeth Fudge, COPMI Project Manager
The paper presented key aspects of the draft good practice principles and guidelines for services and people working with children of parents with a mental illness that have been developed as part of the national Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) initiative.
The presentation also outlined (a) The COPMI project resource development areas for Australian families, children and professionals; and (b) How to provide feedback regarding the draft principles and guidelines document.
Are we Protecting Our Children: The Mental Health Act and Child Guardianship - Presented by Cate Cheetham
The physically ill child whose parent/s have a mental illness: This presentation discussed the challenges facing children and their families and the professionals working with them when a child has a significant physical illness and their parent has a mental illness. The practical and emotional challenges faced by families with children who suffer significant physical illness and/ or disability are now widely discussed in the child psychiatry literature. Parents of these children must come to terms with their own and their child’s emotional needs. Reference was made to case examples from a major children’s hospital. Clinical and legal issues including child protection and informed consent and successful intervention were discussed.
Comic at the Crossroads - Presented by Nerrelle & Paola
A Child's Story - Presented by Paola
Evolution of COMIC - Presented by Nerrelle & Paola
Informology - Presented by Nerrelle & Paola
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