MDAM launches program to support parents dealing with children suffering from mental illness Winnipeg, MB, October 9, 2013-The Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM) is pleased to introduce the Paterson “Challenges, Choices and Changes: Preparing Parents’ program”. The program is intended to support parents struggling with how to care and support a child suffering from a mental illness. Through this program they will learn how to build appropriate knowledge that will guide their child into recovery. The ultimate goal of this program is to bring parents together to teach them about mental illness and where to go for services and support. Andrew and Lisa Paterson and family noticed that it is difficult for parents to know if their child has an illness. They donated $10,000 to support MDAM in its ability to provide information, education and help in navigating the mental health system. One-fifth of young people or 20% of the population have a mental illness that is diagnosable before the age of 20. Nearly 70% of the parents do not seek help for their children who are affected. The Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba would like to change this by giving parents the necessary information they need to identify mental illness and know what to do about it. It is difficult for parents and youth to access services for mental health. They are not prepared to know how to identify illnesses and their consequences. There are not enough physicians and supports in the healthcare system. It is difficult for children to identify their moods and mental illness and seek the help they may need. Families find it very hard to understand the illness. MDAM has programs supporting children who have mental illness through our peer support groups, summer band camp and workshops in schools. While we have seen great results with the youth programming, MDAM saw the gap of supporting the parents of these children. Many parents have expressed a need to learn more about their children’s illnesses in conjunction with the youth programming or separately as a first step to knowing what to do. MDAM would like to offer this increased support to parents whose children have a mental illness. The program will run throughout Manitoba by the 9 Outreach Managers. It will consist of a series of community workshops and an information module that will be distributed to parents. The first Paterson “Challenges, Choices and Changes: Preparing Parents’ program”workshop will be taking place on Saturday November 9th from 9am to 4pm at the Norwood Hotel in Winnipeg. To register call us at 204-786-0987 or Toll Free at 1-800-263-1460
Posted on: Thu, 10 Oct 2013 15:03:32 +0000
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