Help For Parents Whose Child Is Suffering With Mental Illness?

[jonah hart]

Hi, my 19 year old son is suffering with a mental illness, luckily we are getting a lot of support for him, and the mental health team have been amazing, But as parents we've not really been offered any help. Does anyone know of any on line forums that we could maybe talk and discuss these issues with please?

[Mamyalynne]

There are Forums and Help Groups for almost everything these days,search for them using the specifics of your son's illness.

[jonah hart]

Thankyou, ive been looking but not come across anything yet x

[Gavmacp]

Try MIND but if you google help for carers you should find some help.

[Mamyalynne]

Oh I see, have the Mental Health Team any leads you could follow up?

[Gavmacp]

Actually the mental health team would be the best people to ask.

[Mamyalynne]

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/

[jonah hart]

I have asked his team if there's anyone we can talk to, they've told us we can ring them at any time, i did ring one time but they seemed unsure how to speak to me and seemed rushed, but i still can't thank them enough for the help their giving my son, it just would help to talk with people in the same situation, thankyou all for your replies and advice x

[Mamyalynne]

There will be somewhere local,ask at your nearest library or town hall.

Lots of luck.

[jonah hart]

Thankyou so much x

[ummmm]

I agree with trying his mental health team. They should point you in the right direction.

[cottonbud]

I'm sure there must be some somewhere, i have tried to have a look for you, but it seems to be aimed at "help at parenting" when you have a child suffering from mental illness. I too have a child who is now in his twenties and the help he has received is now very good, if you have a good bond with his key worker, maybe ask if they can help, as we need the help and support as well, questions to ask etc, with people that understand what it's like from the parents point of view, because its not easy coping with something like that, i will endeavour to hunt around to see if there is anything.

[Buenchico]

The charity Rethink Mental Illness has lots of local helplines. Perhaps one will be of use to you?:
http://www.rethink.org/services-groups/search?t=4556&;g=true
(NB: Use the region filters on the left of the page to save yourself from having to work through all 25 pages of results!)

[jonah hart]

Cottonbud i feel for you, it's horrendous watching your kids suffer and being unable to help them fully, i really hope you turn a corner soon, thankyou for your advice x
And thankyou so much Buenchico x

[ruthandsam]

At our Secondary Care Service which means the patient has access to the services of Psychiatrists, some Psychologists and mental health specialists they also have something called the Recovery College. This provides help and support for patients, family and friends.

It maybe worth contacting your Secondary Care Service and asking them if they provide similar help for you. If not, I suggest speaking to your GP.

Hope you are able to find the support you need, I did!