The Important Role of Families: At the Centre Summer 2003

At the Centre

Although it's often an overlooked role, it can be very hard to be the family member of a person struggling with mental health or addiction problems. It's not easy to see your loved one struggle. It's nerve-wracking to watch for changing signs and symptoms. It's also time-consuming to keep up with the latest medical advances.

Despite this, families have a huge impact on clients' ability to deal with their illness and the work they undertake as they move towards recovery. Families get great satisfaction seeing their loved ones get better. No one knows this better than Ana Herman. Ana's son was diagnosed with schizophrenia more than eight years ago. Soon after that, Ana got involved with the Family Resource Centre (FRC).

"I was not going to simply sit at home and tear my hair out," she says. She didn't want to passively accept her son's diagnosis. She says, "Instead I decided to become active -- to seek out the best doctor and get involved."

Ana certainly did get involved. She and the other members of the FRC are always available for one another. They give each other emotional support, reassurance and information about mental illness and resources available within the hospital and in the greater community.

Ana is relieved that families are no longer blamed for their children's illnesses. "We have come out of the dark ages, to the light, on that," she says. "When you admit that you have someone in your family with a mental illness or addiction, you are automatically an advocate. You are helping," she says.

While Ana no longer needs the FRC in the same way she did at first, she wants to help others. She says, "I show sympathy, love and hope. And I say, 'Don't give up -- there are medical advances every day!'"

The FRC works out of the Family Council, a non-profit organization at arm's length from CAMH. The Family Council represents families on CAMH committees, and offers outreach, support, education, information-sharing and advocacy for family members.

Betty Miller, Co-ordinator of the Family Council, says, "Family members want to see families more included in services and plans for care for clients. They want to see more client-centred programs for both clients and families across the board. Most of all, we all want our voices to be heard."

To find out more about the Family Council, contact Betty Miller at 416 535-8501, ext. 6499. The FRC can be reached at 416 535-8501, ext. 4015.

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