Resources for Teachers

Book/s

CHILDREN OF PARENTS WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS 2 - Personal and Clinical Perspectives   Vicki Cowling   2004
Looks at the insights and experiences of children and adults who have lived or grown up with parents with a mental illness. The experiences highlight the need to think of all family members when a parent has a mental illness and identifies the needs of children who need to belong and have someone to talk to about their experiences. Complimenting these personal accounts are clinical chapters written by Australian practitioners with a rich and diverse range of experiences.
Available via: Phone
Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER)
 (03) 9277 5656
Web:http://www.acerpress.com.au

Children of Parents with Mental Illness   Vicki Cowling   2004
Children of Parents with Mental Illness is a groundbreaking study into the frequently overlooked impact on children whose parents have a mental illness. By balancing theory with first-hand experiences from parents and adult children, it examines the nature of a wide range of psychological disorders.Through case studies, it analyses a parent's ability to still function in the role of caregiver, and the impact their illness can have on their children. Children of Parents with Mental Illness describes a possible model of inter-agency support and provides information that was initiated in the southern metropolitan region of Melbourne.
Available via: Email
ACER Press
347 Camberwell Rd Camberwell 3124  (03) 9835 7447
Email:  sales@acer.edu.au
Web:http://www.acer.edu.au

Children of parents with mental illnesses.   Nicholson, J., Cooper, J., Freed, R., & Isaacs, M.   2008
Chapter in 'Family influences on childhood behavior and development'. Gullotta, T.P. & Blau, G. (Eds.). New York: Routledge.
Available via: Bookstore/Retail

Website/Online

A Resource Guide on Parenting for People with Disability in NSW  2007
This website includes Quick Find Service List, Pathways to Parenthood in book, CD and braille formats, as well as Resource Guides on Planning for Pregnancy, equipment and adapted aides for pregnancy, support and information for early years (8-10 years), advocacy services, etc.
Available via: Web
NSW Network of Women with Disability and the Pathways to Parenthood Project Team
40 Albion Street, NSW, Australia Harris Park 2150  1800 629 072
Email:  women@mdaa.org.au
Web:http://www.femability.org.au/parenting_with_disability.htm

AUSEINET (Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health)  
The key focus of the Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet) is to assist a range of sectors to implement mental health promotion and illness prevention approaches in their respective settings.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.auseinet.com

BEYONDBLUE - the national depression initiative  
Ybblue's all about getting the message out there that it's okay to talk about depression, and to encourage young people and their family and friends to get help when it's needed.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.ybblue.com.au/

HEADROOM  
Site for young people 12-18 years, 6-12 years, parents and professionals regarding child and adolescent mental health.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.headroom.net.au/

ITSALLRIGHT  
A SANE website for young people with family or friends affected by mental illness.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.itsallright.org

MIND MATTERS  
A resource and professional development program to support Australian secondary schools in promoting and protecting the social and emotional wellbeing of members of school communities. Includes information on enhancing resilience.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.curriculum.edu.au/mindmatters

Multicultural Mental Health Australia Website  
A national leader in mental health and suicide prevention for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities the MMHA's objective is to provide consumers, carers and mental health professionals with the latest information on resources, services, research, conferences and events relating to multicultural mental health.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.mmha.org.au/

REACHOUT  
Reach Out! is a web-based service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times. The aim of the service is to improve young people?s mental health and well being by providing support information and referrals in a format that appeals to young people.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.reachout.asn.au/

Young Carers  
Here you will find important information and contacts, along with opportunities to express your opinions and provide feedback. There is an online young carers plan to complete and keep on hand in case of an emergency, and there are games for when you feel like chilling out for a while.
Available via: Web
Web:www.youngcarers.net.au

YoungMinds (UK)  
Includes downloadable information for young people entitled 'Mental Illness In Your Family'.
Available via: Email
Web:http://www.youngminds.org.uk/publications/all-publications/mental-illness-in-your-family/file

Package/Kits

Big Red Book: A Directory and Handbook for People who work with Young People in the ACT (Version 3)  2008
The Big Red Book is the first handbook and directory for people who work with young people in the ACT. It has been designed for use by a range of professionals who may have contact with young people including youth workers, general practitioners and teachers. In addition to providing service profiles, this handbook also provides strategy-based information for workers, key service contacts and other helpful resources. The services in this handbook were actively involved in its development and young people's voices are reflected throughout.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.youthcoalition.net/public/Projects/BRB.html

Dual Diagnosis Support Kit  2006
The Dual Diagnosis Support Kit includes information for workers, foster carers, and parents with dual diagnosis - as well as two storybooks for children aged 5 -7 years and 8 -12 years, plus a handy wallet-sized information card for adolescents. The kit is downloadable from the DoCS website and available through the website free of charge.
Available via: Web
 (02) 9716 2356
Web:http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/html/news_publications/dual_diagnosis.htm

Keeping the Family In Mind Resource Pack  2003
Research report Video "telling It Like It Is' Evaluation of the Family Room Young Carers Mental health Resource Pack 10 messages from Young Carers
Available via: Email
Barnado's Action with Young Carers
24 Colquitt St Liverpool (UK) L1 4DE Email:  louise.wardale@barnados.org.uk

Saving Francesca: Ideas for Secondary School Teachers  2005
This set of information was developed as part of the COPMI Projects commitment to supporting teachers in developing student awareness of mental illness, reducing stigma, and increasing 'help seeking' behaviour.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.copmi.net.au/common/download.html

Teacher's "Supporting Our Family" Kit  2003
The aim of the Teacher's Kit is to encourage mental illness education as part of the school curriculum. The Kit consists of a letter from the Adult Children to the parent, a 'Care Plan', a sample letter to the school, mental health care workers information, a checklist, a list of resources, important telephone numbers and a feed back sheet. A PowerPoint Presentation and mapping of the school curriculum is included and available for download from the COMIC website. We hope that with support and understanding children of parents with a mental illness will be encouraged to stay at school for longer period of time.
Available via: Web
COMIC (Children Of Mentally Ill Consumers)
Email:  comic.admin@bigpond.com
Web:http://www.howstat.com/comic

The Developing World of the Child: Resource pack  2007
Multiple-media pack bringing new perspectives on child development, looking at children in their varied and diverse contexts. It builds vital bridges between the need to understand children's development and the ways practitioners carry out their tasks when working with children and families.
Available via: Web
NSPCC Publications
Weston House, 42 Curtain Rd.  London EC2A 3NH  Web:http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform

Young Carers CD and Booklet  
A booklet for secondary teachers (and others who work with young people) about issues facing young people in families where someone has a mental illness, and a CD for young people including 2 songs written by young people and recorded by professional musicians, a young woman telling her story, and information about where to get help.
Available via: Phone
 (03) 9854 5122

Factsheet/Pamphlets

Parents with Mental Illness - Fact sheets (set of 5)  2006
A set of factsheets to help support parents with a mental illness, and their children.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/HCN1468_KitesSFactSheetsFIN.pdf

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS MENTAL HEALTH AND GROWING UP FACT SHEET 16  
'Parental Mental Illness - the problems for children (for parents and teachers)' Downloadable fact sheet (number 16) from Website.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthandgrowingup.aspx

CD/DVD/Videos

Hard Words (Video and Booklet)  
Aims to raise awareness about the issues facing children who have a parent with a mental illness.
Availabile via: Web ARAFEMI
Email:  admin@arafemi.org.au
Web:http://www.arafemi.org.au

I Love You Like Crazy - Being a Parent with a Mental Illness  
Eight mothers and fathers who have mental illness discuss the challenges they face as parents. No one knows how many parents must cope with mental illness while raising children, but it is a far larger number than is generally realized. (As seen at the 1999 White House Conference on Mental Health). This tape is an introduction to some of the problems these parents are dealing with as they strive to be effective, supportive and loving mothers and fathers.
Availabile via: Web The Mental Illness Education Project
Web:http://www.miepvideos.org/

It's only 1/100th me' Stories of 6 People Challenging Stigma and Discrimination Surrounding Mental Illness.  2007
Challenging Stigma and Discrimination This project is the start of a campaign to challenge stigma and discrimination towards people experiencing mental illness. In the first stage we have produced a DVD of people's stories. The DVD presents personal experiences of stigma, discrimination and the impacts of these. The DVD also describes experiences of inclusion and the importance of being accepted and valued. Go to www.nswcag.org.au and click on PROJECTS and "Challenging Stigma and Discrimination". Copies of the DVD can also be purchased for $5. Contact us at NSW CAG on 9332 0200 or ycotton@nswcag.org.au.
Availabile via: Web NSW CAG - New South Wales Consumer Advisory Group
 02 9332 0200
Email:  ycotton@nswcag.org.au.
Web:http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/members/nswcag/index.htm

JUST CARE FOR US (DVD)  2005
Carers Victoria has released a DVD/Video featuring five young carers, three of whom care for a parent with a mental illness. The aim of the DVD 'Just Care for Us' is to raise awareness of young carer issues and support needs amongst services providers and school staff. The DVDs/videos are selling for $39.95 (+ postage and handling fee of $10)
Availabile via: Postal Address Carers Victoria
PO Box 2204 Footscray 3011 Web:http://www.copmi.net.au/files/YCOrderForm.pdf

KOPING (Video and Booket)  
Supporting children and young people whose parents are living with a mental health problem.
Availabile via: Postal Address Child & Youth Mental Health Service, Royal Children's Hospital and Health Service District
289 Wardell Street Enoggera QLD 4051  (07) 3355 8999
Email:  Thy_Meddick@health.qld.gov.au

Matthew Heath  2006
A short Australian documentary film. In his own words Matthew tells of the challenges his family has faced in coming to terms with his father's mental illness.
Availabile via: Web  02 93254444
Web:http://www.hopeawards.com.au

Raw Youth: Young people and mental health  2004
An eight part documentary series on young people and mental health. Sessions 2 and 8 feature professionals and young people talking about young people and parents with a mental illness.
Availabile via: Email Programme Coordinator 3CR
PO Box 1277 Collingwood 3065  + 61 3 9419 8377
Email:  programming@3cr.org.au
Web:http://www.3cr.org.au/

Telling It Like It Is  2003
Assists professionals to understand the issues young carers face as children and young people growing up in a family where a parent has mental health problems.
Availabile via: Email Barnados Action with Young Carers
24 Colquitt St  Liverpool (UK) L1 4DE  0151 708 7322
Email:  louise.wardale@barnados.org.uk

Care Plans

Care Plan  2000
'CarePlan' for a child to fill out with the help from a parent when well and mental health care professional if necessary. The aim is to have a 'Care Plan' in place should the parent become unwell and need hospitalisation. Children are often concerned who they will stay with and the most frequent question asked is "Who will give me my pocket money?" Can be downloaded from COMIC website and is part of the "Supporting Our Family Kit"
Available via: Web
Email: comic.admin@bigpond.com
Web:http://www.howstat.com/comic

Other Literature

Education Connect: Teacher Preparation - catering for diversity in the classroom  2006
This publication is intended primarily for Australian teacher educators in secondary or middle schooling programs. Issue Four concentrates on the importance of, and strategies for, fostering social and emotional wellbeing in adolescents with diverse needs.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.responseability.org/client_images/47227.pdf