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Young people supporting parents with mental health problems: experiences of assessment and support
- Authors:
- GRANT Gordon, REPPER Julie, NOLAN Mike
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 16(3), May 2008, pp.271-281.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The explosion of interest in young people as carers over the last decade and a half conceals the fact that there are still no reliable estimates of the number of young people with caregiving responsibilities. This is even more problematic in circumstances where the ‘looked after’ person has a mental health problem. This study reflects on what can be done to identify, assess and support young people in these circumstances. The authors draw on selected findings from a study that has been examining the constituents of good assessment practice in work with family carers supporting relatives with mental health problems. The study embraces different carer groups but this paper concentrates on the experiences of young carers at one study site where Barnardo's and partner organisations had developed a joint initiative targeting young people who are looking after parents and relatives with mental health problems. Following a review of the literature about young people as carers, the paper describes how Barnardo's worked to support them through its young carers projects. Based on face-to-face interviews with the young people (N = 10) caring for a mother with mental health problems, the main part of the paper provides an account of how they talk about, make sense of and evaluate the support they have received through this combined initiative. The findings underscore the value of one particular young carers project, and provide clues about what lessons may be transferable to other similar projects.
Adjusting the focus of mental health nursing: incorporating service user's experiences of recovery
- Author:
- REPPER Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 9(6), December 2000, pp.575-587.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Mental health nursing is currently torn by debate about its proper focus and function, with the two dominant 'camps' competing for ascendancy. Although both traditions stress the need to involve service users in their own care, the hegemonic nature of these professional theories tends to relegate the expertise of those who experience mental health problems. This article considers service users' views and experiences, particularly their accounts of recovery, and finds a place for both approaches. Users also highlight the importance of strategies for social inclusion (facilitating access to roles, responsibilities, relationships and communities) an area of work that has not been prioritised by mental health nurses in either approach. Service users differ from each other and have a range of different roles in different settings. In developing their own strategies for living they need choices, multiple perspectives, a range of approaches and skills.