Healing Feelings: A Healing Story for Children Coping with a Grownup’s Mental Illness
Mental illness touches many families. Few families likely escape it. Living with a mental-illness diagnosis is often a challenge for the person afflicted and the other family members. In fact, its prevalence is demonstrated in statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health:
"Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older—about one in four adults—suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. When applied to the 2004 U.S. Census residential population estimate for ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 57.7 million people."
While the numbers seem daunting, mental disorders are treatable and those managing these conditions can find help to cope. Families are often included in treatment to learn about how they can assist a family member. It’s especially important that children benefit from support. They may believe they’re responsible for the mental health of their caregiver. It’s important to educate and support children so they can begin to understand that mental health issues are not their fault and that treatments are available.
Healing Feelings, recently released in summer 2010, can be a useful book for parents, caregivers and mental-health professionals to employ with children facing these issues. Written in poetic, picture-book style for children ages 3 to 8 years old, it is a warm, rhythmic story that brings hope for healing to children living with a grown-up who is dealing with a mental health issue. The story explores the process of healing feelings and opens up the opportunity to dialogue with children about this challenging topic. Healing Feelings explores the concept of feelings, what they are and how feelings may "get sick." It explains that mental-health professionals, "feeling healers," can assist their loved one toward healing. Children and caregivers alike can find hope and support as they read this story.
Healing Feelings is available for purchase online. If a family member is coping with a mental illness, seek assistance from a qualified mental-health clinician and/or a physician in the community. There are a number of treatment options available that can assist in managing symptoms. The National Institute of Mental Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness are helpful resources for information and treatment options.