Access Center

Services for Children

Services for Persons with Substance Abuse

Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Services for Adults with Mental Illness

Customer Benefits

Supported Education

Eligibility and Cost

Grievance and Appeals

Recipient Rights

Housing

Family Support

A Free and confidential
service for family members
of individuals with a mental illness

PEER SUPPORT GROUPS

Family Support Groups:

• Provide opportunities to share concerns, struggles and successes
• Enhance communication skills and problem solving abilities
• Promote hopefulness and encouragement

Opportunities for peer support are offered to family members of individuals with a mental illness. This may include meeting with other families in a one-on-one setting or a group of families. Call for details of current support group offerings.

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

Family Support works with individual families to assist them by:

• Clarifying options so they can make informed educated choices.
• Helping them cope with crisis situations.
• Providing emotional support and education.

Goals of Family Support:

• To help families manage their day-to-day grief and stress
• To decrease families feelings of isolation and helplessness
• To increase families feelings of hope in the future.
• To strengthen the relationship between families and their loved ones
• To enhance partnerships between families and mental health professionals

EDUCATION

Family Support offers:

• Classes and Training for Family Members
• Online Schedule of Programs for 2008
• Printable PDF format of Schedule for 2008
• Families In Action educational series
• Written information
• Topical speakers
• Consultation with families, professionals and community groups
• Resource referral
• A lending library of books, journals and videos

Family members of individuals with a mental illness have opportunities to learn about:

• Symptoms of mental illness
• Co-occurring disorders
• Dealing with grief and loss
• Dealing with violence
• Suicide prevention
• Treatment options
• Stress reduction
• Communication skills
• Community resources

For More Information Contact:
Mari McKinlay
Licensed Master’s Social Worker
Family Support Specialist
(269) 276-0207

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN CRISIS, PLEASE CALL:
269-373-6000 w Toll Free 888-373-6200

For Service: Access Center
418 W. Kalamazoo Avenue w269-373-6000 (24 hours) w 888-373-6200 (24 hours)
TDD 269-382-0847 w Fax 269-373-4951
For Administration: KCMHSAS
3299 Gull Road, Nazareth w MI 49074-0063 w Tel 269-553-8000 w Fax 269-553-8012

2007 All Rights Reserved