Downloadable Items - COPMI Publications
Information about the COPMI initiative
Resource Items
Resource items for use with and by families where a parent has a mental illness can be downloaded by clicking on the links or images below (please allow a few moments for the documents to download). Copies of these resource items can also be ordered online through our 'Resources' section or by completing the online order form. Materials are in PDF format. Acrobat Reader is required to view the booklets.
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Principles and Actions for Services and People Working with Children of Parents with a Mental Illness
This key document provides guidance for both organisations and individuals across a wide range of jurisdictions. It is the culmination of an extensive review of the literature and of consultations with parents who have a mental illness, their carers and children, service providers and experts.
PDF 268kb
The Best For Me and My Baby
This booklet was developed with and for women with a mental health problem or mental illness - and their partners - who are thinking about having a baby, are new parents or are about to have a baby. It encourages health professionals and parents to work together to manage mental health during pregnancy and early parenthood and provides tips for parents and for supporting family and friends.
PDF 592kb
Swahili translation low res PDF 714kb. Swahili translation hi res 2.18mb
Spanish translation low res PDF 953kb. Spanish translation hi res 2.39mb
Chinese translation low res PDF 1.11mb. Chinese translation hi res 2.62mb
Dinka translation low res PDF 759kb. Dinka translation hi res 2.22mb
Hindi translation low res PDF 5.27mb. Hindi translation hi res 6.83mb
Arabic translation low res PDF 770kb. Arabic translation hi res 2.25mb
Family Talk
Developed in partnership with families and young people, this booklet contains tips and information for parents with mental health problems, their children, other family members and support people. Topics include answering questions, discussing things as a family and planning for times when the parent may be unwell. Also included are 'press out' cards for children and young people to use to record their important phone numbers.
PDF 790kb
Swahili translation low res PDF 601kb. Swahili translation hi res 714kb
Spanish translation low res PDF 616kb. Spanish translation hi res 723kb
Chinese translation low res PDF 997kb. Chinese translation hi res 1.08mb
Dinka translation low res PDF 703kb. Dinka translation hi res 825kb
Hindi translation low res PDF 4.08mb. Hindi translation hi res 4.23mb
Arabic translation low res PDF 687kb. Arabic translation hi res 805kb
Piecing the Puzzle Together: Raising young people when mental illness is part of your life
This booklet is for people living with a mental health problem or mental illness, whose children are aged between 2 and 7 years. It’s also for partners, family and friends. It contains helpful ideas about being the best parent you can when you’re not as well as you’d like to be and ways to support your child’s development during their special early years. Produced in consultation with consumers, carers, workers, academics and policy makers. A detachable Care Plan Folder is also available.
PDF 985kb
Swahili translation PDF 1.3mb. Care Plan Folder Swahili translation 392kb
Spanish translation PDF 1.2mb. Care Plan Folder Spanish translation 394kb
Chinese translation PDF 1.58mb. Care Plan Folder Chinese translation 682kb
Dinka translation PDF 1.4mb. Care Plan Folder Dinka translation 444kb
Hindi translation PDF 4.63mb. Care Plan Folder Hindi translation 784kb
Arabic translation PDF 1.51mb. Care Plan Folder Arabic translation 1.02mb
Helping To Piece The Puzzle Together
An Early Childhood Worker supplement to Piecing the Puzzle Together. An associated resource to assist early childhood workers who work with children and families where a parent has a mental illness or mental health problem. It was produced with input from staff in child care centres and junior primary education. Additional support resources for educators can also be found in the 'Workers Resources/'Early Childhood' section of this website.
PDF 1.62mb
Examples of talking to young children about mental illness
Parents share how they talk to children in the 2-7 year age group about their mental illness. Here are their stories....
Just Being Me
Produced in conjunction with MindMatters. A package of ideas for middle schools teachers using Helicopter Man and/or Lockie Leonard, Legend as class texts and who are interested in the following potential outcomes for students:
- increasing students’ understanding of mental illness and its potential affect on families
- reducing the stigma associated with mental illness
- increasing students’ help seeking behaviours.
Ideas provided are mainly for use in English classes with associated links for Health and Physical Education, Society and Environment, Maths, Arts, Science and Design and Technology.
PDF 932kb
Saving Francesca: Ideas for Secondary School Teachers
This set of information was developed as part of the Children Of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) initiative's commitment to supporting teachers in developing student awareness of mental illness, reducing stigma, and increasing 'help seeking' behaviour.
PDF 82kb
Mental Health Inpatient Service Family Friendly Checklist (PDF 204kb)
Check how family-friendly your mental health inpatient service is by comparing it with the COPMI 'Mental Health Inpatient Service Family Friendly Checklist'. This checklist has been developed from information provided by parents with a mental illness, their partners, support people and children during COPMI consultations in 2002 and with input from service providers.
Care Plan
Baby Care Plan (PDF 340kb)
This plan was developed as part of the Children Of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) initiative for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. It is based on a children's plan concept developed by COMIC (Children of Mentally Ill Consumers). The support of the many people who assisted in its development and review is gratefully acknowledged.
Visit the 'Care Plans' section on our Resources page to view other care plans.
Information About the COPMI initiative
COPMI Website: Promotional Posters.
These promotional posters can be downloaded and used as a reminder on office notice boards, handed out to interested individuals, or posted in appropriate health environments.
- Poster for general mental health services (84kb PDF)
- Poster for child/adolescent mental health services (84kb PDF)
COPMI Website: 'Tips' section promotional flyers.
These promotional flyers (208kb) may be downloaded and handed out at training sessions, information venues, used in waiting rooms, passed on between friends etc. The more Tips on the site, the more useful it is to others!
Information about the COPMI initiative
- COPMI Information Brochure - 483kb. A brochure describing the origins, aims, objectives of COPMI as well as a brief description of COPMI publications.
- COPMI Information broadsheet Feb 2009 - 848kb. A periodical information news sheet outlining progress of the COPMI Project
- COPMI Information broadsheet Oct 2009 - 1658kb. A periodical information news sheet outlining progress of the COPMI Project
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