Mental Health First Aid in a family - story from a Mental Health First Aider
Thankyou to all of the Mental Health First Aiders who are contributing stories.
'Lisa' received a call from her mother. Lisa's Aunt and Uncle were giving a home to their grandson who had been kicked out of home. The grandson's name is Joey and he is 19 years old and in his first year at University. Joey had been having trouble controlling his emotions and behaviour and had been asked to leave his parents home. His grandparents were now struggling to understand what was happening with Joey and were frightened of him. Joey would have episodes of aggression and would accuse his grandparents of spying on him. Lisa's mum was very upset for her sister and asked Lisa's advice.
Lisa told me the first thing she did was read the MHFA Manual section on Psychosis again. Lisa then went over to her mother's home and discussed with her the things Joey's grandparents had told her. Apparently Joey's grandparents had asked him to go to a doctor but he had refused.
Lisa rang her Aunt and Uncle (Joey's grandparent's) and discussed things with them. She told them that it could be that Joey was showing the first signs of a psychotic illness. She directed them to information on the MHFA website. Lisa agreed that she would visit the next weekend and attempt to talk to Joey.
Lisa told me that she wrote and re-wrote her 'I' statement about 20 times on the train journey to her Aunt and Uncle's place. Joey (who is her cousin) seemed pleased to see her and that made it easier for her to find a quiet place and start a conversation with him. Joey was quite relieved to be able to talk about the weird things that were happening to him. He told Lisa of, sight disturbances, feelings of great fear that people were following him and 'against' him. He also told her how difficult it was for him to concentrate at Uni and how he had not passed in his last two assignments.
Lisa was able to be reassuring and give Joey support and information. She gave him choices of where he could get help and insisted on staying and supporting him to make the first steps towards getting appropriate professional help. Joey chose the Mental Health Triage team and he called them. They came around to see him the next day and Lisa says that they were really understanding and reassuring. Joey is going to see a Psychiatrist next week and the Mental Health Team are assisting him. Joey's grandparents are very supportive and feel empowered by the understanding of psychosis they have. Joey and Lisa also contacted the university's student support program and they are assisting Joey.
Well done Lisa with a complex Mental Health First Aid situation.
Remember Mental Health is everyone's business.
