Help for families with mental illness

By Ken West
Published: September 29, 2008

The Honorable Shannon Valentine quickly responded to a column I wrote in February describing the dangerous events that exploded years ago when my father suffered a psychotic break.

I shared with readers the helplessness I felt as a family member not knowing how to handle Dad’s bipolar illness in rocky times or his two psychotic breaks in the worst of times. I asked local representatives for help: What can the Commonwealth of Virginia do to help families? How can we best support our family members? If we see a loved one’s behavior spiraling out of control, whom do we warn about potential violence? As families, how can we learn to protect society from the potential of violence?

Del. Valentine sent my column with a letter of inquiry to Virginia’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Marilyn B. Tavenner. In her reply, Sec. Tavenner discussed three options available to concerned family members in Central Virginia.

Please consider these options. Possibly your leadership can help promote the options already in place and make others become a reality for families in Central Virginia.

Free 12-week class
Mental Health America of Central Virginia (MHACV) offers a 12-week course taught by trained family members, who have lived with a loved one with mental illness. Instruction and course materials are free. Some of the topics covered in the course include:

—Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive behavior disorders
—Up-to-date information about medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence
—Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse
—Focusing on care for the caregiver
—Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community

The course is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Virginia, in partnership with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance ServicesAdditional information about the course is available on the NAMI web site (http://www.namivirginia.org), or by calling MHACV at (434) 847-9055.

An additional resource, available through Central Virginia Community Services (CVCS), our local area community services board, is the Family Support Group. This is a support group for family members of persons with mental illness. It meets every first and third Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the parlor of the First Christian Church, 3109 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg. It is facilitated by CVCS staff, open to the public and provided at no cost.

Long-term option
Sec. Tavenner provided a description of a resource kit for family psycho-education through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It was designed as a partnership among family members, consumers and mental health practitioners, who work together to understand more about the symptoms of mental illness, how to help with mental illnesses and how to better help consumers with recovery. More information about this evidence-based practice may be found at http:mentalhealth.

samhsa.gov/cmhs/communitysupport/toolkits/family/. If there is sufficient interest in establishing such a program, assistance could be sought from appropriate state agencies as directed through Sec. Tavenner’s office.

Take part in law reform
Sec. Tavenner believes now is the time for family members and concerned citizens to suggest how laws might be changed to support families and to help prevent potential tragedies. According to Tavenner, this year the Supreme Court’s Commission on Mental Health Law Reform “will continue to consider changes to Virginia’s mental health laws as well as services system changes.” She encourages all concerned family members, who have recommendations for transforming Virginia’s mental health system, to contact NAMI Virginia, which is represented on the commission, by e-mail at or by calling (804) 285-8264. Moreinformation about the Commission may be found at http://www.courts.state.va.us/cmh/home.html

A common bond
After my column appeared in the paper, I was flooded with e-mails, letters and phone calls. I learned that those of us who share the experience of living with a family member with mental illness will always feel a common bond. The bond is one that is difficult to explain to others, yet we must try. It is my hope that one or more readers will find Sec. Tavenner’s suggestions worthy of pursuit.

It is with my deepest heartfelt thanks that I close this column. Thank you, Del. Valentine, for your caring response to those of us who believe that life can be better and safer for families who love a family member battling mental illness.