Helping Families Cope With Mental Illness

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Helping Families Cope With Mental Illness

• Pat Hinkle, MA, LPC, LMFT
• 913-927-2402
• pat_at_HinkleAssociatesLLC.com

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• The onset of mental illness represents a crisis
  to the family, and as the shock and dismay
  subside, families must deal with a grave array of
  painful emotions. It may take a long time until
  some degree of acceptance can be achieved.
  Crucial to this process is the quality of support
  families receive.
• Family Member
• Agnes B. Hatfield

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Families as Primary Caregivers

• 1 in 4 families has a family member with a mental
  illness.
• 45 to 60 of individuals experiencing mental
  illness are living with their families without
  adequate supportive services for the individual
  or family.

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Reactions of Family Members

• Most family members are in shock and denial
  about it, and it takes a long time for them to
  realize that the disease is not a character
  flaw.
• Guilt is a common feeling even though the family
  did not cause the illness.
• Mental illness is a no-fault disease.

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Conclusion

• Lesson Objectives
• Identified the possible emotional reactions by
  family members of the mentally ill
• Discussed the importance of recognizing the life
  stressors experienced by family members of the
  mentally ill
• To know coping strategies for family members of
  the mentally ill