SA, Oaklands Park - Offspring Group

Offspring is a group for young people who have a parent, carer or sibling with a diagnosed mental illness.

The group runs over eight weeks and:

• provides education about mental illness
• gives young people an opportunity to share their experiences
• promotes the development of a plan in the case of their parent, carer or sibling becoming unwell
• provides opportunities to develop social skills.

Parents are invited to two of the sessions.

The first, mid way through the program, gives children an opportunity to ask questions about mental illness.

Parents are also invited to the final session to celebrate the young person's involvement in the group.

Group members and carers give feedback on their experience of the group.

The program is based on similar programs run in other states and is a recommended program for children in the situation described.

Starting dates and age range of participants depends on demand.