COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) Capacity Building "Stories from the Real World"

Title: 'Families where a parent has a mental illness' screening instrument

Activity:  Organisational Development (e.g. policies and plans, information systems)

Keywords:  Screening instrument, mental health workers, families, referrals

Name:  Don Tustin

Organisation:  Noarlunga Health Services (Mental Health)

Address:  Alexander Kelly Dr,

Suburb:  Noarlunga Cantre

Postcode:  5168

About :A primary aim of the project is to produce a screening instrument that will assist workers to make appropriate referrals to support services for families where a parent has a mental illness.

Commencement Date:  April-2006

Completion Date:  June-2006

Location:  In a metropolitan region

To do:  Change processes or policy

Target Group:  adult mental health service and consumer families

Who was involved: 

What we did:  A short-term project "Families where a parent has a mental illness" was funded as one of the South Australian Mental Health Care Improvement Initiatives. The project is a joint Southern CAMHS and Adult Mental Health project of South Adelaide Health Services.

A primary aim of the project is to produce a screening instrument that will assist workers to make appropriate referrals to support services for families where a parent has a mental illness. Family is defined to include a parent with a mental illness, dependent children, and extended family including grandparents.

Literature was reviewed to identify interventions where there is evidence of beneficial outcomes for families. Ten types of intervention were identified. Some interventions appear to be best provided by professionals, while other interventions might be provided by para-professionals. A variety of community agencies might participate in providing support services.

A screening tool has been drafted based on items that indicate a need for each type of intervention. The screening tool is planned to be completed jointly by a worker, the parent and another informed person such as a carer.

Phase one of the project ends on 30 June 2006.


What we found:  Work is in progress

What worked well: 

What didn't work so well :

What others can learn from our work: 

What form or evaluation did you do?: 

Where to from here:  

People to acknowledge/thank: 

Date Submitted:  Jun 17, 2010 12:53:17 PM

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