Abstract
BackgroundWhile governments are urging adult mental health services to support consumers in the context of their family, there is little information about what family focused practice is, nor how it might be enacted.MethodsInformed by the principles of Community Based Participatory Research, workshops were held in three rural Australian communities in 2015 to discuss the meaning of family focused practice and how such practices might be promoted.ResultsParticipants described the need to raise community awareness about mental illness and provide practical support to the family. Participants emphasized the importance of practitioners genuinely communicating with consumers and their families about mental illness and the need for collaborative care and treatment planning. They also highlighted the challenges of living in rural places and posed some solutions.ConclusionOn the basis of the results and previous literature, we developed a model of family focused practice that outlined various stakeholders and their enactments. The model has the potential to inform policy, professional development and practice guidelines.
Highlights
While governments are urging adult mental health services to support consumers in the context of their family, there is little information about what family focused practice is, nor how it might be enacted
This paper aims to develop a model of Family Focused Practice (FFP) and identify strategies that services might employ to promote a family focused approach within adult mental health services
Design The design and reporting of this project was informed by the principles of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) defined as “systematic inquiry, with the collaboration of those affected by the issue being studied, for purpose of taking action or effecting change” [15]
Summary
While governments are urging adult mental health services to support consumers in the context of their family, there is little information about what family focused practice is, nor how it might be enacted. The mental health of an individual will inevitably impact on the wellbeing of his or family. Adult mental health services need to consider their clients within the context of family. This paper aims to develop a model of Family Focused Practice (FFP) and identify strategies that services might employ to promote a family focused approach within adult mental health services. Governments and service providers across Europe, North America and Australia are promoting a family centred model of practice when working with consumers with mental health concerns. What FFP means in practice and how it might be embedded within services is unclear
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