Resources for young people aged 13-18 years

Book/s

A Book For Young People About Mental Illness   C. Stevenson & G Ferrari  
Specifically written for 13 -16 year olds who care about someone with a mental illness. Provides information about the major mental illnesses, coping strategies, taking care of yourself, helpful hints and where to get help.
Available via: Postal Address
Association of Relatives & Friends of the Mentally Ill (WA)
Unit 6, Endeavour House Hillarys, WA 6052  08 94027022

Better Ways to Better Days   Town of Rockingham and City of Kwinana (Western Australia)  
A booklet designed for young people whose parent of carer has a mental health and/or drug and alcohol problem.
Available via: Phone
Town of Kwinana, Community Development Officer or City of Rockingham, Coordinator Youth Services
 9439 0206/ 9528 0333
Web:http://www.copmi.net.au/jsp/resources/files/bet_way_bet_day.pdf

Caring Around The Clock   Unlisted author  
Booklet with information and support for young people. This publication is an illustrated 16-page booklet designed to help young carers cope with the pressure they face.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/campaigns/pinc/

Family Talk: Tips and information for families where a parent has a mental health problem or disorder.   COPMI  
A booklet written with and for families in which a parent has a mental illness or mental health problem and contains tips and information for parents, children and young people and others who care, Also included are 'press out' cards for children and young people to use to record their important phone numbers. Available from this site or via the online order form.
Available via: Web
COPMI
Web:http://www.copmi.net.au

Finding My Way: A Teen's Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has Experienced Trauma   Michelle D. Sherman and DeAnne M. Sherman   2005
A three-part workbook addressing key issues for young people dealing with a parent who has experienced trauma.
Available via: Web
Seeds of Hope
Web:http://www.seedsofhopebooks.com

I'm Not Alone: A Teen's Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness   Michelle D. Sherman and DeAnne M. Sherman   2006
A three-part book that addresses key issues for young people dealing with a parent who has a mental illness.
Available via: Web
Seeds of Hope Books
Web:http://www.seedsofhopebooks.com

Is There Anybody Out There?   Community Focus, Queensland  

Available via: Phone
Community Focus, QLD
 (07 ) 54793110

Joe's Diary   SANE AUSTRALIA  
Researced and written in consultation with a team of young people, parents and mental health workers, Joe's Diary tells the story in a year in the life of Joe and his mother who has schizophrenia, and how they both learn to cope with the effects of her illness. Aimed at he 10-14 year old age group, it deals with the issues of concern to any young person who has a relative or friend with a long-term mental illness
Available via: Web
SANE AUSTRALIA
 03 9682 5933
Web:http://www.sane.org

Need to Know   Adapted for National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland)   2006
A guide for young people (11-14 years)who have a parent with mental illness
Available via: Web
National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland)
Claremont House, 130 East Claremont Street Edinburgh  EH7 4LB  0131 557 8969
Email:  info@nsfscot.org.uk
Web:http://www.nsfscot.org.uk
Review available from:www.nsfscot.org.uk

Saving Francesca   Melina Marchetta   2003
Written for older children this novel is narrated by a girl who has just commenced Year Eleven at a new school and she and her family are also trying to deal with the affects of her mother's depression. It deals sensitively with some difficult issues but has the pace and humour to hold the attention of its readers.
Available via: Bookstore/Retail
Penguin Australia Books/Viking ( ISBN 0670040452)

SHRINK-RAP Press Books - Various Titles   SHRINK - RAP Press Books  
Useful for explaining mental Health problems/disorders to older children, as in these book every point is illustrated by a cartoon. "Too Blue" - about depression and other mood disorders. "The Panic Book" - shows how a panic disorder works and what can be done about it. "The Secret Problem" - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in children is explained in clear and simple language. "The WSchool Wobblies" - Written for children who have difficulty going to school because they are frightened or worry too much.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.shrinkrap.com.au

The Illustrated Mother   Jacqueline Wilson  
The book is about a mother grappling with mental illness and its affect on her two daughters, but is quite comical and written in a light hearted way (Quoted from N Goad)
Available via: Bookstore/Retail

The Uninvited Guest   OFFSPRING (SA)  
Written by Anna Kasprazk and the young people from OFFSPRING (Southern Region - Adelaide)
Available via: Email
OFFSPRING SA
Email:  comic.admin@bigpond.com

Through the Window: A Support Booklet for Young People   PATS Reference Group - The Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Services   2006
A publication created by young people providing youth appropriate information including tips, myths and facts and messages of support for young people who have a parent/carer with a mental illness.
Available via: Phone
PATS Reference Group
 (03) 9294 6716

Understanding Mental Illness   Julie Tallard Johnson   1989
For teens who care about someone with a mental illness.
Available via: Web
Learner Publications Co, Minneapolis
Web:http://www.amazon.com

Website/Online

Family Separation - A Guide for Teens  
Family Separation - A Guide for Teens
Available via: Web
Child Support Agency - Australian Government
Web:http://www.youth.csa.gov.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/

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

Kids Help Line  

Available via: Phone
Kids Help Line
 1800 551 800
Web:http://www.kidshelp.com.au

MAKEANOISE  
Taking real steps to prevent suicide requires a whole of community approach. It must draw on the expertise of health professionals, but more importantly will develop a partnership with key agencies and the community.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.makeanoise.ysp.org.au

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/

NSW Young Carers  
Do you help care for someone in your family with an illness, disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol problem? Are you 25 years or under & live in NSW? There are other young carers just like you ? reach out!
Available via: Phone
Web:http://www.youngcarersnsw.asn.au

PATS (Paying Attention To Self)  
This is the website of a group program for young people aged 12 - 18 in Victoria who have a parent with mental health problems.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.rch.org.au/pats/

Raw Energy Young Carer Support program  
Raw Energy is a program that supports young people between the ages of 5 and 18 who support a family member with a disability, chronic illness or mental illness. Our Goal is to provide young carers with opportunities to develop personal skills, knowledge and relationships that support them to make positive life choices.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.youngcarer.com.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/home.asp

SA Young Carers  
Is there somebody in your family, like your parent or brother or sister or other relative, who has a disability, or a mental illness, or who is very sick or frail aged? Do you spend time helping them on a regular basis because of their illness or disability or because they are frail aged? Site for under 18's
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.carers-sa.asn.au/yc

SANE AUSTRALIA  
SANE Australia is an independent national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness through campaigning, education and research. SANE also operates the only national 1800 Helpline on mental illness, which receives over 15,000 calls each year from people all around Australia concerned about themselves or someone they care for.
Available via: Web
Web:http://www.sane.org

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

Helpline/s

CARERS AUSTRALIA  
Free Call 1800 242 636 for a contact in your State
Available via: Phone
 1800 242 636
Web:http://www.carersaustralia.com.au

Just Ask - LIFELINE  
Information for rural and remote consumers/families
Available via: Phone
 1300 131 114
Email:  justask@lifeline.org.au

Package/Kits

Supporting Our Family  2000
This Kit contains a letter to the parent from the Adult Children, a 'Care Plan', a sample letter to the school, a checklist, a list of resources, information for mental health care workers, important telephone numbers and a feedback sheet.
Available via: Web
COMIC (Children Of Mentally Ill Consumers)
Email:  comic.admin@bigpond.com
Web:http://www.howstat.com/comic

The Coloured Kit: Young Person's Section  2007
This kit has been made to help young people and their families feel better prepared in a crisis. There are four parts to The Coloured Kit: The Introduction, Getting Support, My Care Plan and The Getting Info & Keeping In Touch Sections. There is also a separate booklet called Support Services and Resources that has information about services for young people and families in Canberra and a list of websites and other resources.
Available via: Web
Youth Coalition of the ACT
46 Clianthus St O'Connor, ACT 2602  (02) 6247 3540
Email:  info@youthcoalition.net
Web:http://www.youthcoalition.net/documents/index.php?dir=projects%2FColoured+Kit%2FYPBooklet%2F

Newsletter/s

Koping Kinnections Kids Newsletter  
A bi-monthly newsletter for Brisbane Koping Adolescent Group graduates. An information source to distribute news and upcomming group activities for Koping kids in Brisbane, QLD.
Available via: Email
Koping Program, CYMHS, RCH & Health Service Districts, Brisbane QLD
289 Wardell Street, Enoggera 4051  (07) 3355 8999
Email:  Thy.Meddick@health.qld.gov.au

Young Carers Newsletter  
For young carers, their families and interested others. Published quarterly.
Available via: Email
Carers NSW
Email:  daryn@carersnsw.asn.au
Web:http://www.carersnsw.asn.au

CD/DVD/Videos

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

Koping Kidz Kall Out  
A compilation of songs written and produced by graduates from the KOPING Adolescent Group Program - a peer support program aimed at supporting young people aged 12 to 18 years who have a parent with a mental illness
Availabile via: Phone Child and Youth Mental Health Service
 (07) 3355 8999
Email:  Thy_Meddick@health.qld.gov.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/

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

Something On My Mind  
A group of 8 to 14 year olds completed this comic book resource for young people with parents who have a mental illness. It explores mental illness and what is meant by terms such as dual diagnosis, bipolar, depression and schizophrenia. The comic also addresses the impact on young people of living with a parent who has a mental illness, and provides advice on coping strategies and information on Australian support services and contacts.
Available via: Phone
Streetwize Communications
 02 9319 0220
Web:http://www.streetwize.com.au