There is a wide range of resources for young people available that deal with issues of mental health. The following list is a selection of these.
I’m not Alone: A Teen’s Guide to living with a parent who has a mental illness, Michelle D.Sherman and DeAnne Sherman (2007), http://www.seedsofhopebooks.com/im-not-alone.html
Through The Window: A support booklet for young people. www.yrys.com
Youth appropriate information including messages of support to other young people living with a parent with mental illness. Created by young people in the PATS program in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Victoria.
Need to Know: A Guide for young people who have a parent with mental illness. www.nsfscot.org.au
A Booklet for Young People about Mental Illness. ARAFMI WA Inc (1994). Perth: ARAFEMI (Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill.)
Joe’s Diary. Available for $7 by calling 9682-5933 or via the website www.sane.org.au
A SANE guide especially written for young people who have a family member with a mental illness. It revolves around Joe who is twelve and whose mother has schizophrenia. Very informative and well-balanced, this is suitable for upper primary/secondary students. Parents have also reported finding it useful to give them a young person’s perspective.
Nothing to be Ashamed Of: Growing Up with Mental Illness in Your Family Dinner, S.H. (1989). Lothorp, Lee and Shepard Books, New York.
Dinner admirably attempts to explain mental illnesses and their effects on families, especially children. She discusses a variety of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depression, phobias, Alzheimer's, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia. A brief description of symptoms, possible causes, and treatments is included for each illness. The emphasis is on helping young people find positive ways to cope with the stresses of having a mentally ill family member.
Understanding Mental Illness: For Teens who Care about Someone with Mental Illness. Johnson, J.T. (1989) Lerner Publications C0., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Available from www.amazon.com
Saving Francesca Melina Marchetta (2003), Penguin Australia Books/Viking, ISBN 0670040452. Teachers notes available on www.copmi.net.au
Written for older teenagers, this novel is narrated by a girl who has just commenced Year 11 at a new school and she and her family are also trying to deal with the effects of her mother's depression. It deals sensitively with some difficult issues but has the pace and humour to hold the attention of its readers.
Dual Diagnosis, NSW Department of Community Services. Look at the website for ordering details. http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCS/STANDARD/PC_100864.htmOnce
NSW Department of Community Services has developed a comprehensive resource kit for working with children and families around issues of dual diagnosis (i.e. a diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse). Has booklets for children, parents and foster parents and books for children and adolescents.
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For a further list of relevant resources, please see http://www.copmi.net.au/jsp/resources/resource_index.html
