AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022

Children of Parents Affected by a Mental Illness Program Update

Gaining Ground



Date update submitted updated 29/01/2003
Program Title Gaining Ground Program
Contact Person/s Andrew Sozomenou, Program Manager
Organisation South West Sydney Area Health Service
Address George Street Health Centre, Suite 5, Ground Floor, 157 - 161 George St, Liverpool 2170
State NSW
Email andrew.sozomenou@swsahs.nsw.gov.au
Telephone (02) 8778 0804
Facsimile (02) 8778 0801
Program Description

The Gaining Ground Program based in South Western Sydney Area Health Service in NSW advocates and lobbies for the needs of children of parents with mental health concerns. As a part of this work the program offers the Getaway Camp and the Adolescent Peer Support Program.

Getaway Camp
The Gaining Ground Getaway Camp aims to provide children and young people aged between 10 - 17 years living with a parent affected by mental health problems with specific activities in which they can have fun, explore their feelings, enhance their coping skills, communication skills, social skills and self-esteem in a friendly and supportive environment.

The Getaway Camp :

  • has been developed to provide children and young people with respite from the stress they experience in their home and school environments;
  • provides the opportunity for children and young people to meet others with similar backgrounds & experiences.
  • promotes and fosters notions of teamwork, sharing, support and leadership in young people;
  • promotes an understanding amongst children and young people of the impact parental mental health problems can have on their parent and themselves;
  • allows for the exploration of issues and concerns facing young people living with parental mental health problems within a supportive environment and can be utilised as an access point for referral to other services provided in South Western Sydney.


    • 2 Getaway Camps are run annually and are held in campsites around NSW. Camps incorporate a therapeutic and respite component.

    Camps are funded by Greenacre Lions Club, South Western Sydney Area Health Service Area Carer Respite and SWSAHS.

    Gaining Ground Adolescent Program
    The Gaining Ground Adolescent Program brings together young people aged 12- 18 years living with a parent with mental health problems with the aim of enhancing their resiliency. The program also aims to develop young people's coping skills, break down stigma & isolation and develop skills in stress management, communication & self-esteem

    Skills-based group intervention techniques are used to help participants learn to cope more effectively with their parents' mental health concerns, and to safeguard their own well-being. The program also provides participants with an opportunity to expand their peer support and social network while developing strategies for dealing with confusing and difficult living situations.

    The program runs for 10 weeks, one afternoon per week. Participants attending the Gaining Ground Adolescent Program are expected to develop:

  • improved communication skills;
  • improved self-esteem;
  • increased understanding of the parent's mental health concerns, its causes and treatment;
  • development of supportive relationships with peers;
  • an enhanced repertoire of coping skills ;
  • an increased understanding and acceptance of emotions.

    • The manual includes the ten session program, a literature review, all handouts, promotional posters, and a gallery of young people's artwork. Additional inserts developed by NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre, are available which support facilitators in running a more culturally diverse program. The cost of the manual, including training, is approximately $150.00.

    The Gaining Ground Adolescent Program was funded by the NSW Attorney Generals' Department: Crime Prevention Division

    Family Liaison Officers
    Family Liaison Officers are based within area adult mental health services with the aims of:

  • identifying children and young people with a parent with a mental health problem;
  • advocating for the needs of children and parents;
  • implementing interventions to meet the needs of families with parental mental health problems;
  • establishing and enhancing referral pathways;
  • providing education on the needs of families living with parental mental health problems and effective strategies for working with families, parents and young people;
  • providing clinical support and consultation were appropriate;
  • supporting family assessments;
  • assisting in developing family crisis plans;
  • supporting the collaboration of services to effectively meet the needs of families with parental health problems.

    • Education and Consultancy
    Gaining Ground aims to provide education forums and workshops and consultancy to staff working with children, young people and families living with parental mental health problems.
    Evaluation Information All aspects of Gaining Ground Program are evaluated. For example, the Getaway Camp is being evaluated through a variety of mechanisms. Young campers are required to complete the Adolescent Coping Scale, Child Depression Inventory and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Pre and Post Camp). Young campers are also involved in focus groups at the completion of the camp. Parents are requested to complete the Parents version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. This data will be available early 2003. For more details about the evaluation of other aspects of the Gaining Ground Program please contact Andrew Sozomenou.
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    Last Modified: 14-02-2004 12:20:36