An E-Book for Conducting the family meeting & moving forward in the face of mental illness.
........ as a special bonus, you will receive a 3-month membership to my Circle of Support!
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Have you noticed the feeling of aloneness that seems to sink in after the person has visited the therapist, psychiatrist and other professionals? You know that feeling that you and your family are "alone" with this diagnosis and what if "x" happens? Then again, what if the person decides to go off their medication which is helping them? These are but a few of the questions that surface time and again for families dealing with someone's mental illness.
Call to Action!
Conduct the family meeting:
This is the first step at getting your life in order after the diagnosis. I urge you not to simply keep the diagnosis a "secret" from the "children" - or to be brave and deal with it alone. Including the family in the diagnosis and treatment plan models responsible behavior and takes away the stigma so often associated with mental illness, like depression or bipolar disorder.
Don't wait, start now. Your life is altered but certainly not over, just as it might be with a physical diagnosis --- down but not out as they say. By having a family meeting and following these steps toward communicating with family members your feelings of empowerment will soar. You will not change the diagnosis but you will clearly articulate the problem, discuss what has been advised by professionals, and discuss the impact on the family and strategies for supporting the family as life continues forward.
I've called my e-workbook: "After the Diagonis" because this can be the most difficult time -- as one friend referred to it "where the rubber meets the road" . The time when all the conversation and professionals have discussed and prodded and set up their best guess at a treatment plan. In my experience many things happen after this phase is done. And in fact, the professional advice continues presumably throughout the life of the mental illness.
What is missing is a strategy for families, a roadmap for dealing or living life again after the diagnosis. There will be changes, grief and loss, anger, boundary issues and downright confusion on just how to go on. Segment One of my workbook is targeted toward this time in a family's transition. This workbook is a step by step guide for conducting a successful family meeting, the goal of which is to acknowledge, understand and move the family forward in the face of another's mental illness.
What you will have once you complet this Meeting Planner workbook?
- 1. You come away with a clear picture of how other member's view the situation and feel empowered to speak about your own feelings
- 2. You identify ways to support other family members as they struggle with the diagnosis
- 3. You have an idea of what YOU need in order to move forward
- 4. Your family will feel empowered and connected and included around a medical issue that clearly affects everyone (this is especially important because some disorders have a genetic component).
This book is comprised of 26 pages of worksheets, communication tips, a meeting planner and a strategy sheet to focus the problem at hand and get the family involved and feeling empowered about the situation.
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