Meeting 24 Jun 2003
EPI (Early Psychosis Intervention) Parents' Meeting, June 24, 2003
The June 24th meeting, being the last before the summer hiatus, commenced with a
Potluck dinner at 6:30 pm, attended by about 20 parents. The EPI parents' meeting
proper started just after 7 pm.
In attendance were twenty-eight family members along with Hardeep Thind from
BCSS (British Columbia Schizophrenia Society). The meeting was facilitated by
Walter Lidster (EPI).
It was mentioned that the group started meeting just over a year ago, in May 2002
with the goal of learning what families need when faced with the trauma of a family
member hit by a psychosis.
As new family members were present, we reviewed the norms set by family members for participation in the meetings:
· retaining respect for each other
· recognizing that there were no experts in the room
· that confidentiality of individual issues would be mutually assured
· and that if somebody preferred to remain quiet and just watch, that it would be
fully acceptable.
· "This is not meant as a therapy group," It's a support group that respects all
the different cultural backgrounds represented."
· Group is meant to increase knowledge of how to cope with psychosis through
positive feedback and ideas
It was announced that BCSS was hoping to run the 12 week program called Family to
Family in Surrey on September 11th. This course is recommended, particularly if you
are interested in running a support group one day.
Walter stated he hoped that parents would take a larger role in running this group in
the future. In addition, Walter announced that he would be running the South Fraser
EPI 4-week psychoeducation course in September for family members who are new to the
Early Psychosis Intervention Program (EPI).
After one parent had mentioned a book: "Overcoming Depression" by Dimitri & Janice
Papolos, the group's attention was also drawn to two other books recommended by the
support people: "I Am Not Sick & I Don't Need Help" by Xavia Amador, published by
VidaPress; and "When Someone You Love Has Mental Illness-Symptoms &
Strategies" by Rebecca Woolis, published by Penguin Putnam.
The Parents' Group then spent a half hour giving the opportunity for parents to quickly
summarize their own situation, with the understanding that anyone
so choosing could take a "pass" on this exercise. There were some wonderful stories
from parents about how their son or daughter has recovered.
One mom was proud of her
son's great marks in high school math after he had a tough three years of dealing
with
his symptoms.
Another parent and grandmother spoke of a young woman who was back at home,
showing improved abilities, attending therapy regularly with plans to return to school
in the fall.
A parent recounted how a significant health improvement of their child had triggered a
suggestion that the medication could be dispensed with. They had obviously encountered
similar suggestions and subsequent unhappy experiences.
One parent, accompanied by a close relative recounted how the teenager was now living
with that close relative and considering returning to school. A vast change from that
parent's hopelessness some months back when the teenager was sick and living with
undesirable friends.
Another parent reported that a teenager was now returning to
technical school after earning excellent marks in math tests.
Yet another parent expressed the wish that she would also have her own "hope story" to
tell at some future support group meeting.
It was pointed out that the goal is to have fewest episodes of acute psychosis as
possible but sometimes it takes a second, perhaps scary, episode before the person
with the illness admits that they need outside help.
Walter suggested that this is when parents have the opportunity to say, "Well, how
about this?" and suggest a strategy to help with the problem.
He pointed out it was critical to let the young person set the priority as to what
issue to work on first.
An excerpt from an article by Agnes B. Hatfield Ph.D. headed "Low Motivation in Mental
Illness" and a four-page handout "Recovery from Psychosis", summarizing various
motivational strategies that can be employed were distributed.
After a discussion
around these suggested strategies, Walter announced that the EPI program has now
hired a geneticist and is also in the final selection stages for adding a family
therapist to the EPI staff.
Future EPI meetings after the summer hiatus will be held September 23rd, October
28th and November 25th.
The topic for the September meeting, suggested by one of the parents was "Self Esteem".
If you have a comment you would like to share please email pspops@psychosissupport.com