Mental Illness - A Family Affair

Media Statement

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Mental Illness - A Family Affair

With one in five people experiencing a mental illness at some stage in their lives, most New Zealanders will have directly or indirectly been affected by it.

“People with mental illness are not ill in isolation - their family/ whānau are almost always involved and can play a key role in supporting their family member through recovery” said Florence Leota, Chief Executive of Supporting Families in Mental Illness NZ (Supporting Families).

“Its important that Mental Health Awareness Week also recognizes and acknowledges the family for the role they can play in the recovery of a family member affected by mental illness, and for the challenges they themselves face during their family member’s journey to recovery.

“For the family/ whānau of someone with a mental illness, caring for them is a huge challenge. The stress can often seem overwhelming and can impact on their health and wellbeing. As a result they can also become unwell,” Ms Leota said.

Supporting Families was established 32 years ago and is New Zealand’s largest NGO in the mental health sector providing support to family/whānau affected by a major mental illness. Supporting Families provides face-face support via branches nation-wide and has a national office that is located in Wellington.

“We were formerly Schizophrenia Fellowship, and our new name accurately reflects the supporting role we play in helping families to carry out their role and is another positive step forward in reaching out to those in the wider community who need our help,” concluded Ms Leota.
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