DO you have a family member or close friend with mental illness?
Carer Assist is offering a series of three-hour workshops starting Tuesday 29 October, 5.30pm until 8.30pm, designed to help the family member or friend learn more about mental illness and caring for someone throughout the treatment and recovery period.
It can be a challenging time for everyone, whether the illness was recently diagnosed or something the family has been living with for years.
The first workshop will help people gain a better understanding of the key differences between someone displaying issues with their mental health and someone with a diagnosed mental illness such as depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar mood disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder, eating disorder or schizophrenia.
It is essential that people attend the first workshop before being able to participate in the others. People can then come to just one or two workshops or all of them.
The workshops are free of charge and light refreshments are provided.
Carer Assist is a community-based organisation working in partnership with NSW Health in order to provide emotional support, education, information and advocacy specifically to the families and friends who are caring for a loved one with a mental illness. Their services are free of charge and confidential and are available throughout the Hunter New England region.
Research shows that when family and friends gain a better understanding of the issues affecting someone with mental illness, there will be a far greater rate of recovery and general well-being for the person with the illness as well as within the whole family. Meeting other family members who are going through similar experiences may also be helpful.
Bookings are essential, so please contact Carer Assist in Armidale on 6772 3211.
