By Danelle Hupp, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Northeast Ohio Medical University
As mental health providers, our goal is to support those living with serious mental health conditions, so they are better able to live healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives. By involving families and other care partners, we can minimize disruption to the lives of both the individual and family system and maximize opportunities for success and well-being. When family systems and care partners understand mental illness, treatment, and recovery, they understand their own critical role and are better equipped to support their loved one’s recovery journey.
What is a family system?
A family system is a network of interconnected and interdependent individuals that have a bi-directional impact on one another. These systems often include blood relatives, significant others, friends, neighbors, clergy, or anyone else who plays a meaningful role in the life of someone living with a serious mental health condition.
What are the benefits of involving family systems in care?
Family systems work is a key component of treatment for those living with serious mental health conditions, and training for mental health providers is a powerful tool that can lead to significant improvement in outcomes for the individual and the family system. When knowledgeable and appropriately supportive family systems are engaged in treatment, there are improvements in family relationships and well-being, improved overall quality of life, and better adherence to treatment recommendations (resulting in fewer psychiatric relapses/hospitalizations, which leads to decreased economic impact and costs of care).
However, training in family systems work is an underutilized resource and often untapped opportunity that the mental health system doesn’t always consider when thinking about positively impacting treatment outcomes. Taking a family systems perspective in person-centered care starts by recognizing the critical role family systems play in treatment and recovery, then working to build skills and confidence to effectively engage these care partners in treatment. This foundation allows providers to work with the individual living with a serious mental health condition on identifying care partners, discussing what it might be like to engage them as part of the treatment and support team, then reaching out to them to establish a relationship and identify effective strategies to partner for success.
Informed care partners are better prepared to effectively support and advocate for their loved one, overcome challenges, and navigate the complex mental health system. People living with serious mental health conditions, including those who experience psychosis, can – and do – live full lives. And training in family systems work affords mental health providers the opportunity to set individuals – and those who support them – up for success!