Education and awareness about mental illnesses
to reduce stigma and promote recovery.
to reduce stigma and promote recovery.
WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH
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Family Self-Help
Family Self-Help
Family members of people with severe mental illnesses also encounter ignorance and stigma. Stigma translates into avoiding or blaming family members (Phelan et al., 1998; Wahl & Harman, 1989). Families also are under a great deal of stress associated with care giving and obtaining resources for their mentally ill members.
Families—especially parents, siblings, adult children, and spouses—often provide housing, food, transportation, encouragement, and practical assistance. At the same time, schizophrenia and other mental disorders strain family ties. Symptoms of mental disorders may be disruptive and troubling, especially when they flare up. Even when there are no problems, living together can be stressful—interpersonally, socially, and economically. Parents and their adult children often perceive mental disorders and treatment differently, sometimes disagreeing about the best course of action.
Consequently, families too have created support organizations. Some of these are professionally based and facilitated, often as part of a clinic or other treatment program. Others are peer run in the self-help model. Similar to self-help among people with mental illnesses, family self-help can range from small supportive groups to large organizations. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is the largest such organization. Starting in 1979 in Wisconsin, NAMI now has 208,000 members nationally.
NAMI Wisconsin
FAMILY-TO-FAMILY
Family members of people with severe mental illnesses also encounter ignorance and stigma. Stigma translates into avoiding or blaming family members (Phelan et al., 1998; Wahl & Harman, 1989). Families also are under a great deal of stress associated with care giving and obtaining resources for their mentally ill members.
Families—especially parents, siblings, adult children, and spouses—often provide housing, food, transportation, encouragement, and practical assistance. At the same time, schizophrenia and other mental disorders strain family ties. Symptoms of mental disorders may be disruptive and troubling, especially when they flare up. Even when there are no problems, living together can be stressful—interpersonally, socially, and economically. Parents and their adult children often perceive mental disorders and treatment differently, sometimes disagreeing about the best course of action.
Consequently, families too have created support organizations. Some of these are professionally based and facilitated, often as part of a clinic or other treatment program. Others are peer run in the self-help model. Similar to self-help among people with mental illnesses, family self-help can range from small supportive groups to large organizations. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is the largest such organization. Starting in 1979 in Wisconsin, NAMI now has 208,000 members nationally.
From Mental Health, A Report of the Surgeon General, Chapter 4
NAMI Wisconsin
FAMILY-TO-FAMILY
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A free NAMI of Greater Milwaukee Program for family members, partners and friends of individuals who have a severe mental illness.
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Download this .pdf flyer or call (414) 344-0447 for more information