Family relationships and mental illness: impacts and service responses

• Elly Robinson, Bryan Rodgers, Peter Butterworth
• Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse

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10 November 2008This paper acknowledges that mental illness is a significant issue in Australia, and that the impact of such problems is increasingly recognised. Approximately one in five people will experience a mental health disorder every year, with the most common disorders being anxiety and depression. The effects on families can be significant, and the quality of support and service delivery to families and affected family members is crucial. This paper gives a brief overview of mental health problems, including types and prevalence, causes of mental illness, and family-related risk and protective factors. The impact of mental health problems on family relationships and family dynamics are explored, including the role of carers and relationship issues resulting from, or contributing to, the presence of a mental health problem. Approaches to helping families deal with mental health problems in the context of family relationship services are suggested.