INCLUDING FAMILY, CARERS AND SUPPORTERS IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH WORK

A diagnosis of a mental health difficulty can be traumatising and stigmatising for families and they can subsequently feel burdened, stressed and overwhelmed. Family work can enhance family involvement and support and enhance engagement with services whilst also reducing family/carer stress. This one-day workshop will provide participants with practical skills and knowledge to apply to working with families of young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

At the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

• articulate the rationale for family work in the context of a young person’s mental health treatment;

• reflect on challenges and constraints that may arise when implementing family work with this complex client group; and

• apply practical strategies to engage families, particularly early in their young person’s treatment.