Thank you to all those who attended the Network Mosaic Conference held Tuesday 10th August 2010. Network Mosaic is an initiative with a focus on children and youth with family/whanau members experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues.
The conference was opened by Louise Wall, Principal Advisor to the Children’s Commissioner.
Key Note Speaker: Elizabeth Fudge Project Manager of Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) Australia.
The day included presentations from:
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (Powerpoint file 8.19Mb) - Elizabeth Fudge, COPMI National Initiative
Risk ≠ destiny and we can promote mental health and reduce risks (for children) and promote recovery (of parents)
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Approximately 23% of Australian children and adolescents live in households where at least one parent has a mental illness. Mayberry et al 2005
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17% - General population of Australian children assessed as being ‘at risk’ of mental health problems (Sawyer et al 2000 and Maybery et al 2009)
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40% - Community sample of children where a parent has a mental illness assessed as ‘at risk’ (Maybery et al 2009)
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57% - Children of parents attending mental health services assessed as ‘at risk’ (Maybery et al 2009)
Tu Tangata Tonu (Powerpoint file 164Kb) - Seema Woollaston & Luci Falconer, Kari Centre, ADHB
A Service to support children in families where there is parental mental illness
Pilot Project Goals
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To scope the needs of the target group
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To implement a Pilot Programme, and to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of interventions provided
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To provide a rationale and make a proposal for an ongoing Service for children in families where there is parental mental illness within ADHB
Family Violence Interagency Response System (FVIARS) (Powerpoint file 580 Kb) - Brett Woodmass (FVIARS) & Michelle Mathews SFMI Auckland.
What is FVIARS:
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A Nation wide model formed to address family violence
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A collaborative approach between Police, Child Youth and Family and National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges (NCIWR)
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Focused on building safe, violence free families
Purpose:
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Key component is a regular planned interagency meeting
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Purpose of meeting to share information, develop plans for change regarding offenders, victims and children
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To enhance individual agency practice to reduce family violence collectively
Supporting children whose parents are experiencing mental health/addiction issues. (Powerpoint file 3.87 Mb) - Linda Karlin - Sharing the Journey Programme Skylight
Building Resilience: Children increase their resilience by giving them opportunities to:
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Enhance their coping skills and self-esteem
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Explore and express their feelings in a safe environment
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Form peer relationships
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Engage with other helpful adults
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Learn more about mental illness
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Strengthen bonds between children and parents
Kids Club (Powerpoint file 899 Kb) - Natalie Hejim & Lisa Forshaw- SFMI Auckland
After school fun club for children who have a family/whanau member with a mental illness.
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Meet others who share similar experiences
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Ongoing friendships
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Build children’s self esteem and confidence
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Take part in a range of activities
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Supportive environment
