Families & Mental Illness

Last Updated: 18-Feb-2009

Around one in five Australians will experience a mental illness at some time, and for every one of those there will be a ‘ripple effect’ on family and friends.

Whether someone has depression, an anxiety disorder, or a condition such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, their families are affected in a range of ways – emotionally, in the effects on their own day-to-day life and mental health, and, for many, in the new role of being a carer.

In this program, people living with a mental illness and family members talk frankly about the impact of the illness on their lives and relationships, the support the whole family needs, and offer advice on the skills they have learned in looking after themselves and in planning ahead.