Children Understanding Mental Illness
Children Understanding Mental Illness is a programme specific to SF Otago. Developed, tested and piloted in house by Clinical Psychologist Bernadette Berry, and aimed at primary school-aged children, it is proving extremely effective in helping children come to terms with a mentally ill family member. Shared experiences and improved understanding - including destigmatisation of mental illness are just some of the goals and outcomes of this developing programme.Children Understanding Mental Illness (CUMI)
Programme Outline
OBJECTIVE: To provide an age related programme that will educate children about mental illness and give them “life enhancement skills" which enables them to understand the impact in their family/whanau environment (CUMI is not intended for children suffering from mental illness themselves.)OUTCOME:
The Children will:
- Add To pre-existing knowledge of severe mental illness in terms of general information
- Take away evidence that they are not alone in experiencing the effects of mental illness in the family
- Be given the opportunity to discuss and work out ways of dealing with specific feelings in relation to mental illness in the family
- Gain knowledge of how to access help for themselves or the person affected by mental illness when needed.
- Attain a greater feeling of personal efficacy
- Presenters will identify children in need of specialist input and make appropriate referrals
Please contact us if you wish your child to be involved in the next scheduled programme.