Mental Illness :
Highly prevalent
1 in 5 children; 1 in 4 adults in U.S.
Debilitating
Using WHO disability-adjusted life years lost data, mental illness ranks as 2nd leading cause (CV is #1)
Deadly
Suicides are in top ten causes of death of people aged 18-64
Affects the entire family, not just the ill person Mental Illness
Mental Illness :
Stigmatized
Long ago – ill persons were commonly institutionalized
Switch made to community based programs without setting up system or providing resources
Until recently, mental illness was treated differently by 3rd party payers – less coverage, fewer benefits
Change enacted in Oct 2008 in TARP act
Changes phased in over years
Small business (<50 empl) exempt
Prisons are a leading provider of care for the mentally ill Mental Illness
Systems Theory :
What affects one, affects all
Significant effects of caring for family member with a mental illness
Lack of social support, stigma
Family members own mental health issues often ‘shared’ via porous boundaries within the family
Family involvement in treatment for ill person often essential
Dual disorder diagnoses experience same patterns more strongly Systems Theory
Dual diagnoses :
Debate over need for abstinence vs harm reduction
Usually best to treat mental illness and addiction simultaneously (not sequentially)
Care for families includes
Skill building, information, support
Problem solving, parenting, coping and communications skills Dual diagnoses
Care for Families :
See list on p 457, table 16-2
Mostly self-explanatory
PLAN for crisis!
Expand social support network of family
Be very adaptable
Nursing plays a big role in coordinating & accessing services Care for Families
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