Working with Families in Mental Health

Abstract

We live within the context of our relationships with others, particularly our family and friends. When a person develops an illness such as mental illness, their experiences of the illness, recovery and treatment will inevitably affect the people with whom they are most connected. As Cowling and McCorry (2012) identify, mental illness is a family matter. Recognising the vital importance of mental health consumers' relationships to their wellbeing, this chapter focuses on how nurses can provide effective care to consumers that is inclusive of the needs of the whole family - the consumer and their children and/or adults with whom they live and love.