The FaPMI (Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness) Program works with agencies across Eastern Melbourne to improve support for parents and carers, children, young people and families. We do this by:
- Building shared understanding through fact sheets, books and resources
- Partnering with services to co-ordinate and deliver peer support programs for children, young people and parents/carers
- Working with services to improve systems to better meet the needs of families
- Providing training, support and resources including secondary consultation for services who work with families where a parent has a mental illness
FaPMI’s vision is of healthy family relationships. Relationships are the foundation of child development and support stable mental health. The FaPMI program recognises the strengths and resilience of all family members and works together with families and services to promote this. We believe that family-focussed practice is everybody’s business.
When parents are admitted to hospital, it can be challenging and confusing time for children and families.
The ‘At the Hospital Booklet’ was developed in collaboration with service providers, parents and children to help families understand what is happening during a parent’s inpatient stay, talk about mental health and encourage questions.
The booklet contains pictures of the unit, pictures of staff members and key resources that children and families can access whilst parents are away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FaPMI Program is a Statewide strategy developed to improve services and resources for families where parents have a mental illness. FaPMI work in collaboration with agencies via workforce development and training, systems and procedures development, and service partnerships for service delivery.
FaPMI co-ordinates a range of group programs for families, and partners with agencies to support families across all ages, including pregnancy, early years, primary and secondary school, adults and grandparents.
Services can make referrals for programs, request information, resources and secondary consultations to assist in their work with parents and families.
Parents, carers and family members can also refer to our group programs.
Referrals can be made to group programs including CHAMPS, Martial Arts as Therapy, Space 4 Us, B-4U, Mother Goose and to the annual Family Fun Day.
Please note – The FaPMI program does not provide ongoing direct support or ‘case management’ for families.
- Specialist mental health services
- Child Youth and Family Services
- Alcohol and other drug services
- Early Years and Perinatal Support
- Schools
- Universal services – local government, community health and youth services
- Agencies working with parents, children and their families