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

SMILES Program

 

Date submitted 22/7/02
Title SMILES Program
Contact Person/s Erica Pitman
Organisation c/- Carers NSW Inc
Address c/- Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health
Bloomfield Hospital, Forest Road, Orange
State NSW 2800 Australia
Phone 02 6360 7890
Mobile 0427 006 326
Fax 02 6361 2457
Email mhrural@ihug.com.au
Program Description SMILES Program: Simplifying Mental Illness + Life Enhancement Skills.
TARGET GROUP: Children aged 8-12 yrs old, or young people aged 13-16 yrs old who have a parent or sibling experiencing a mental health problem (specifically schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression).
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: 3 day program (9am-3pm), usually delivered during school holiday period, in conjunction with health services. Minimum 8, maximum 10 participants. Resources included as part of the program: "Handle with Care - A Workbook About Mental Illness for 8-12 year olds"; "A Booklet for Young People about Mental Illness"; "Moonbeam - A Book of Meditations for Children" (or similar titles by Maureen Garth).
AIMS: To provide age-appropriate education about mental illness and life skills, to improve capacity to cope more effectively and increase resilience; to improve self-expression and creativity; to increase self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation.
CONTENTS: Education about mental illness; communication exercises; problem solving; art work; music; interactive and relaxation exercises; peer support.
BACKGROUND: Developed in 1997 by Erica Pitman-Smith (Pitman) as a result of the increasing recognition that children in families affected by mental illness are a population 'at risk' for developing their own mental health problems. Erica has an Advanced Diploma of Applied Social Science and is a registered Counsellor (RMCAPA). Erica's professional work is enhanced by her own experience as the sibling of a deceased brother who struggled with epilepsy and childhood schizophrenia.
Evaluation

Self reports by child and parent provide qualitative and quantitative data. Statistically and clinically significant improvements have been recorded by the knowledge and life skills measures. Since 1998 the SMILES Program has been delivered successfully in the following six areas: Orange, NSW; Fairfield, Sydney; Central Coast, NSW, Pointe-Claire (Montreal), Canada; Parramatta, Sydney; Bankstown, Sydney. A total of 49 children have participated.

Evaluation reports:
1) Pitman-Smith, E. (1999). SMILES/Explorations Canadian Program Report. Mental Illness Education - Australia (NSW) Inc; Sydney, Australia.
2) Pitman, E & Matthey, S (2002). Evaluation of the SMILES Program for children with mentally ill parents: Bankstown, Sydney (17-19 January 2001). South West sydney Area Health Service: Sydney, Australia.
3) Pitman, E & Matthey, s (2002). The SMILES Program: A groups program for children with mentally ill parents or siblings. Paper currently under review with a journal.
Evidence

Clinical experience and research, with reference to the following:
1) Cowling, V.R, McGorry, P.D, & Hay, D.A (1995). Children of parents with psychotic disorders. The Medical Journal of Australia, 163, 119-120.
2) Cuff, R & Pietsch, J (1997). Peer support for children of parents with mental illness: program design and evaluation. Melbourne: Mental Health Research Institute.
3) Gerace, L.M, Camilleri, D, & Ayers, L (1993). Sibling perspecties on schizophrenia and the family. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 19, 637-647.
4) Luntz, J (1995). The invisible dimension in mental health - children whose parents suffer from a serious mental illness. Australian Social Work, 48, 19-27.
5) Marsh, D.T, Appleby, N.F, Dickens, R.M, Owens, M & Young, N.O (1993). Anguished voices: impact of metnal illness on siblings and children. Innovations and Research, 2, 25-34.
Plus references to over 40 additional books, reports, and journal articles.
Other information The SMILES Program is provided on a fee for service basis, initially facilitated by the author (Erica Pitman), in a collaborative partnership with appropriate health services. This provides a 'train-the-trainer' opportunity for interested and appropriate facilitators. Health services fund the delivery of the program, provide transport and food for the participants. There is no cost to the children participating.
Printable Version
Last Modified: 12-04-2003 09:50:37