Family Engagement

New Beginnings

Once a family discovers that their child or youth has an emotional or mental disorder, their life changes. It may happen slowly, or it may hit like a lightning bolt. Their definition of a normal family changes, and they began the process of learning what is “normal for their family”. Conni Wells, with Mental Health Transformation Alliance suggests a few things to try to assist your child and family as you all move into your new “normal”:

Educate yourself and learn all you can about your child’s or youth’s condition.
Learn how to react to your child’s or youth’s problems in as calm a manner as possible.
Start looking for and taking joy in small improvements or accomplishments in your child or youth.
Locate other parents who have children with mental, emotional, or behavioral needs and support one another
Keep doing the things in your life that you find enjoyable such as sports, sewing, or visiting friends.
Learn to separate yourself from your child’s or youth’s disorder, but not your child or youth.
Remember that the emotional or mental disorder belongs to your child or youth. You cannot make it go away or take ownership of it.
Keep family traditions, vacations, and other celebrations to the extent possible. It is important to make sure that your family continues and life does not stop for everyone.
Have weekly family meetings to discuss what is happening and share ideas on what the family should do in the upcoming week.