AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
COPMI Project Update - 11/04/2003
Resources - Pilot Testing
The draft COPMI materials for family members are in the final stages of completion as I write this update and they are on schedule for initial pilot testing with families and individuals across Australia, beginning in May. 24 sites/individuals have volunteered to assist in pilot testing and it is anticipated that 600 - 650 participants will be involved. Many thanks to those who have provided comment on the materials to date and to those involved in the pilot testing. Just to refresh your memory, the materials consist of:
- A booklet for people with a mental illness who have a baby, are pregnant or who are planning to have a baby.
- A booklet for families where a parent has a mental illness and there are children aged 3-18 years.
- Posters, and postcards for a range of children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 years to increase their awareness that they are not alone and to provide contact details regarding where to seek help.
Special thanks must go to Daryn Elston-Smith and the volunteers from Carers NSW who helped 'market test' our early ideas for the posters and postcards with children in the 8-12 year-old age group and to Andrea Coad from Southern Junction in South Australia for doing the same with the early drafts for the 13-18 year olds.
The last of the resources to be developed - a website for people working with children of parents with a mental illness and their families - will be pilot tested from mid-May onwards.
COPMI Green Paper
I know we've been saying "its coming" for quite some time now, but the draft document of principles and action areas for services and people working with children of parents with a mental illness (also to be known as the 'COPMI Green Paper') is now on track to be released on or about the 30th of this month. Despite the unscheduled delay, you will still have at least four months to read, review and comment on the document. All those on the AICAFMHA e-list will be notified as soon as it becomes available.
Resource List
An updated resource list has been placed on the site. It includes details of the new SANE guide to mental illness for children - "You're Not Alone'. We understand the book was launched last Wednesday - congratulations to all involved in this publication. The book can be ordered through SANE's website at http://www.sane.org or by calling SANE on 03 9682 5933. It costs $9 + p&p.
Research Reference
Thanks to Tracey Kaye for bringing to my attention an article from the Archives of Psychiatric Nursing Vo. XVI, No. 5 (October), 2002: pp208-216 called "Children Living With A Parent Who Has Mental Illness: A Critical Analysis of the Literature and Research Implications". This may be of particular interest to those of you contemplating research in this area.
Elizabeth Fudge
Project Manager,
COPMI Initiative
Ph (08) 8161 6859
Fax (08) 81616983
fudgee@wch.sa.gov.au
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