Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (CoPMI)

Sometimes parents and children require extra support to help them better manage family life, parenting and mental health problems. Children of Parents of Mental Illness (CoPMI) and their families report feeling worried about asking for assistance believing that they will be harshly judged or that their children will be placed in out of home care.

• Getting support early when parenting gets tough can help families prevent larger problems developing.
• Getting support early for children and young people who may be affected by family mental illness is a positive approach to parenting.

This list may help you consider the different types of services available to CoPMI families and which ones could be useful in supporting your family:

1. What mental health services are available?
2. I want support to better manage my mental illness
3. I have a mental illness and need family support
4. I have a mental illness and need social and/or pratical support
5. My child spends time caring for me and needs support
6. My partner has a mental illness and I need support
7. I have a mental illness and need support for my children
8. Are there support groups for parents with a mental illness?
9. I want to learn more about parenting
10. I have a mental illness and I need a break
11. I am a father and need support
12. Are there mental health suppport groups?
13. I have a mental illness and drug use problem
14. I am looking for online information about mental illness
15. I am a migrant parent and need support
16. I am an Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander parent and need support
17. I am a young parent and need support
18. More information about Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (CoPMI)
19. Website information about mental illness?  
20. Are there websites about mental illness for young people?
21. Services for children and young people in the ACT

1. What mental health services are available?

• ACT Health – Eating Disorders Program
  Ph: 6205 1519
  Assessment, support and treatment for adults experiencing a moderate to severe eating disorders
• Mental Health ACT – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team
  Ph: 6205 1971
  Range of services including assessment for children and young people with moderate to severe mental health problems. Short term support for Children of Parents with a Mental Illness(CoPMI)
• Mental Health ACT Services www.health.act.gov.au
• • Belconnen Mental Health Team (Adult)
    Ph: 6205 1110
    Assessment, support and treatment for adults experiencing a moderate to severe mental illness
  • City Mental Health Team (Adult)
    Ph: 6205 1338
    Assessment, support and treatment for adults experiencing a moderate to severe mental illness
  • Tuggeranong Mental Health Team (Adult)
    Ph: 6205 2777
    Assessment, support and treatment for adults experiencing a moderate to severe mental illness
  • Woden Mental Health Team (Adult)
    Ph: 6205 1488
    Assessment, support and treatment for adults experiencing a moderate to severe mental illness
• Mental Health ACT – Aboriginal Liaison
  Ph: 6284 6257
  Support, information and advocacy provided to indigenous people and their families who are mental health consumers of Mental Health ACT 
• Mental Health ACT – Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT)
  Ph: 1800 629 354 or 6205 1065
  Mental Health ACT 24-hour crisis assessment and treatment service. Accepts referrals from the triage assessment service, and provides assessment, treatment and support to mental health clients with a moderate to severe condition
• Mental Health ACT – Perinatal Mental Health Service
  Ph: 6205 1050
  Consultation service for pregnant and postnatal women with a moderate to severe mental illness
• Mental Health ACT – Triage Service
  Ph: 1800 629 354
  This service triages requests from the community for support, assessment and/or intervention of individuals experiencing mental health problems

2. I want support to better manage my mental illness

• Canberra Men’s Centre
  Ph: 6230 6999
  Counselling and support for men
  www.menscentre.org.au
• CatholicCare – Counselling Service
  Ph: 6162 6100
  Provides counselling, primarily on relationship and family issues
  www.centacare-canberra.org
• Inanna Service
  Ph: 6295 3323
  Counselling and support for women in distress, with or without children
  www.inanna.org.au
• Marymead – Child and Family Counselling Service
  Ph: 6162 5800
  A range of services for families
  www.marymead.org.au
• Mental Health Foundation ACT Inc
  Ph: 6282 6658
  Provides information and referral service, library, support groups and services
  www.mhf.org.au
• Post and Antenatal Depression Support and Information (PANDSI)
  Ph: 6232 6664
  Post and antenatal depression support for mothers and fathers
  www.pandsi.org
• University of Canberra Psychology Clinic
  Ph: 6201 5843
  Assessment and treatment services to children, adolescents and adults experiencing a range of psychological problems
  www.canberra.edu.au

3. I have a mental illness and need family support

• ACT Health – Bungee Program
  Ph: 6264 0232
  Resilience and wellbeing programs for children and young people at risk of developing mental health issues and their families, including parenting support
  www.bcsact.com.au
• ACT Health – IMPACT
  Ph: 1800 211 274
  Coordination service for pregnant women affected by mental illness and/or receiving opioid replacement therapy. Pregnant/birth to two years
  www.health.act.gov.au
• Anglicare – CYCLOPS ACT
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Outreach support for young carers, 10 to18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Anglicare – Litmus
  Ph:6278 8444
  Young carer support for families affected by mental illness 11 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Barnardos – Temporary Family Care Program
  Ph: 6241 5466
  Temporary Family Care Program consists of a mental health respite program which provides care for children and young people from birth to 16 years who experience mental health or whose parents experience mental health illness. Range of family support services
  www.barnardos.org.au
• Belconnen Community Services Inc – Family Support Programs
  Ph: 6278 8140
  A range of support services and programs for children and their families, including playgroups, parent education and practical support for vulnerable families
• www.bcsact.com.au
• CatholicCare – Canberra Family Support Service
  Ph: 6163 7600
  Child and family support birth to 12 years
  www.centacare-canberra.org
• Communities @ Work – Family Support Unit
  Ph: 6293 6500
  Services for families in the Tuggeranong and Weston Creek region. Programs include family and individual support, women’s housing program, emergency relief
  www.commsatwork.org
• Marymead – Child and Family Counselling Service
  Ph: 6162 5800
  A range of services for families
  www.marymead.org.au
• Marymead – Horizons Program
  Ph: 6162 5800
  Support where mental illness impacts on parent/child relationships
  www.marymead.org.au
• Northside Community Service
  Ph: 6257 2255
  Support to families and individuals in the inner north
  www.northside.asn.au
• Parentline ACT
  Ph: 6287 3833
  Telephone counselling, after hours support and information about parenting courses and services in the ACT
  www.parentlineact.org.au
• Relationships Australia
  Ph: 6122 7100
  Counselling for individuals and families
  www.relationships.com.au
• Richmond Fellowship
  Ph: 6248 6118
  Family counselling service for 12 to 25 years and parents
  www.rfact.org.au
• Woden Community Service – Family Connections
  Ph: 6234 6836
  Outreach program that works with families, who have children under 12 years and live in the Woden Valley area
  www.wcs.org.au 
• YMCA – Navigate
  Ph: 6258 5933
  Outreach counselling service for young people and their families

4. I have a mental illness and need social and/or practical support

• Belconnen Community Services Inc – Family Support Programs
  Ph: 6278 8140
  A range of support services and programs for children and their families, including playgroups, parent education and practical support for vulnerable families
  www.bcsact.com.au
• Inanna Service
  Ph: 6295 3323
  For women in distress, with or without children
  www.inanna.org.au
• Mental Health Foundation ACT Inc
  Ph: 6282 6658
  Provides information and referral service, library, support groups and services
  www.mhf.org.au
• Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHAMS)
  
  • Ph: 6259 2022 Belconnen/Gungahlin
  • Ph: 6162 3451 North and Civic
  • Ph: 6282 2644 Woden/Weston/Tuggeranong
  Federal government supports people with a mental illness which severely impacts on their life. The program focus is on building strengths and is based on recovery principles and practices
• St Vincent De Paul – COMPEER
  Ph: 6121 2953
  Volunteer support and friendship for adults affected by mental illness
  www.vinnies.org.au
• Tandem – Adults Program
  Ph: 6288 0955
  Provides support services at home and in the community for the frail aged, people with a disability, people with mental health issues and their families and carers
  www.tandem.org.au

5. My child spends time caring for me and needs support

• Anglicare – CYCLOPS ACT
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Outreach support for young carers 10 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Anglicare – Litmus
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Young carer support for families affected by mental illness 11 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Carers ACT – Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Carer Program
  Ph: 6296 9900
  Support, education and counselling for family members caring for a someone with a mental illness, includes an Indigenous carer program and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) carer program
  www.carersact.asn.au
• Carers ACT – Young Carers Program
  Ph: 6296 9900
  Flexible respite options, practical support, group support
  www.carersact.asn.au
• CatholicCare – Youth and Wellbeing Program
  Ph: 6163 7600
  Outreach support for young people with mental health issues and/or alcohol and other drug problems 12 to 25 years
  www.centacare-canberra.org
• headspace ACT
  Ph: 6201 5343
  Youth mental health service 12 to 25 years and families
  www.headspace.org.au
• St Vincent de Paul – St Nicks Young Carers Program
  Ph: 6121 2955
  Holiday camps, day activities and peer support
  www.vinnies.org.au

6. My partner has a mental illness and I need support

• Carers ACT
  Ph: 6296 9900
  Support, education and counselling for family members caring for a someone with a mental illness, includes an indigenous carer program and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) carer program
  www.carersact.asn.au
• Mental Health Foundation ACT Inc
  Ph: 6282 6658
  Provides information and referral service, library, support groups and services
  www.mhf.org.au

7. I have a mental illness and need support for my children

• ACT Health – Bungee
  Ph: 6264 023
  Resilience and wellbeing programs for children and young people at risk of developing mental health issues and their families
  ww.bcsact.com.au
• Anglicare – CYCLOPS ACT
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Outreach support for young carers 10 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Anglicare – Litmus
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Young carer support for families affected by mental illness 11 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Barnardos – Family Support Programs
  Ph: 6241 5466
  Range of family support services
  www.barnardos.org.au
• headspace ACT
  Ph: 6201 5343
  Youth mental health service 12 to 25 years and their families
  www.headspace.org.au
• Marymead – Family Support Programs
  Ph: 6162 5800
  Support where mental illness impacts on parent/child relationships
  www.marymead.org.au

8. Are there support groups for parents with a mental illness?

• DHCS – Child and Family Centre Tuggeranong
  Ph: 6207 8228
  POPPY (Parents Opportunity to Participate in Play with their Young) playgroup for parents with a mental illness birth to 5 years
  www.dhcs.act.gov.au/childandfamilycentres

9. I want to learn more about parenting

• Belconnen Community Services Inc – Family Support Programs
  Ph: 6278 8140
  A range of support services and programs for children and their families, including playgroups, parent education and practical support for vulnerable families
  www.bcsact.com.au
• Communities @ Work
  Ph: 6293 6549
  Community parenting education program
  www.commsatwork.org
• DHCS – Child and Family Centres
  Ph: 6207 0120 Gungahlin
  Ph: 6207 8228 Tuggeranong
  Range of services for families and young children
  www.dhcs.act.gov.au/childandfamilycentres
• Marymead – Parent Education for Dads
  Ph: 6162 5800
  Offers the range of groups for fathers
  www.marymead.org.au
• Parentline ACT
  Ph: 6287 3833
  Confidential phone counselling, after hours support and information about parenting courses and services in the ACT
  www.parentlineact.org.au

10. I have a mental illness and I need a break

• Anglicare – CYCLOPS ACT
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Outreach support for young carers 10 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Anglicare – Litmus
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Young carer support for families affected by mental illness 11 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Barnardos – Family Support Programs; Temporary Family Care Program; Camp Program
  Ph: 6241 5466
  Range of family support services
  www.barnardos.org.au  
• Belconnen Community Services Inc
  Ph: 6264 0200
  Leisure and open art programs supporting people with a mental illness
  www.bcsact.com.au
• Carers ACT – Young Carers Program
  Ph: 6296 9900
  Flexible respite options, practical support, group support
  www.carersact.asn.au
• Communities @ Work – Respite Options
  Ph: 6126 9000
  Respite program offering flexible respite options and support service to individuals experiencing severe mental illness and/or intellectual disabilities and their carers
  www.commsatwork.org
• Inanna Service
  Ph: 6295 3323
  For women in distress, with or without children
  www.inanna.org.au
• St Vincent de Paul – St Nicks Young Carers Program
  Ph: 6121 2955
  Holiday camps, day activities and peer support leadership programs for CoPMI and young carers
  www.vinnies.org.au
• Tandem – Adults Program
  Ph: 6288 0955 (government)
  Provides support services at home and in the community for the frail aged, people with a disability, people with mental health issues and their families and carers
  www.tandem.org.au

11. I am a father and need support 

• Barnardos – Temporary Family Care Program
  Ph: 6241 5466
  www.barnardos.org.au
• Canberra Fathers and Children Services (CANFaCS)
  Ph: 6123 4000
  Outreach support for sole fathers with children
  www.canfacs.org.au
• Canberra Men’s Centre
  Ph: 6230 6999
  Counselling and support for men
  www.menscentre.org.au
• CatholicCare – Canberra Family Support Service
  Ph: 6163 7600
  Child and family support
  www.centacare-canberra.org
• Dads in Distress Inc
  Ph: 1300 853 437
  Support group for fathers in distress following divorce and separation
  www.dadsindistress.asn.au
• DHCS – Child and Family Centres
  Ph: 6207 0120 Gungahlin
  Ph: 6207 8228 Tuggeranong
  Range of services for families and young children
  www.dhcs.act.gov.au/childandfamilycentres
• Marymead – Horizons Program
  Ph: 6162 5800
  Support where mental illness impacts on parent/child relationships
  www.marymead.org.au
• Marymead – Parent Education for Dads
  Ph: 6162 5851
  Offers a variety of groups for fathers
  www.marymead.org.au
• Menslink and Young Men’s Support Network
  Ph: 6239 4699
  Mentoring program for young men
  www.menslink.org.au
• Parentline ACT
  Ph: 6287 3833
  Telephone counselling, after hours support and information about parenting courses and services in the ACT
  www.parentlineact.org.au
• Post and Antenatal Depression Support and Information (PANDSI)
  Ph: 6232 6664
  Post and antenatal depression support for both fathers and mothers
  www.pandsi.org
• Relationship Australia
  Ph: 6122 7100
  Counselling service
  www.relationships.com.au

12. Are there mental health support groups?

• Canberra After Suicide Support Group (contact through Mental Health Foundation)
  Ph: 6282 6658
  For parents, spouses, siblings and children and friends of those who have died by suicide
  www.mhf.org.au
• Mental Health Foundation ACT
  Ph: 6282 6658
  Individual, one-on-one, telephone or face to face support with a peer support person who is experiencing similar mental health issues
  www.mhf.org.au
• Post and Antenatal Depression Support and Information (PANDSI)
  Ph: 6232 6664
  Post and antenatal depression support form mothers and fathers
  www.pandsi.org
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Peer Support
  Ph: 6282 6658
  www.mhf.org.au
• DHCS – Child and Family Centre Tuggeranong – POPPY Playgroup
  Ph: 6207 8228
  Playgroup for parents with a mental illness
  www.dhcs.act.gov.au/childandfamilycentres

13. I have a mental illness and drug use problem

• ACT Health – Alcohol and Drug Program and 24 Hour Helpline
  Ph: 6207 9977
  Provides counselling including a range of therapeutic and educational groups to individuals, families and carers
  www.health.act.gov.au
• Directions ACT
  Ph: 6122 8000
  Range of services for people and their families affected by alcohol and other drugs
  www.directionsact.com
• Directions ACT – Althea Wellness Centre
  6122 8000
  Mother and child health clinic, mental health counselling and sexual health
  www.directionsact.com
• Directions ACT – Maysoon
  Ph: 6122 8000
  Support to women with young children who use, or are in recovery from alcohol and other drugs
  www.directionsact.com
• IMPACT Program
  Ph: 1800 211 274
  Coordination service for pregnant women affected by mental illness and/or receiving opioid replacement therapy, pregnant/birth to 2 years

14. I'm looking for online information about mental illness

• Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (CoPMI) www.copmi.net.au (Australia) provides information and resources about parental mental illness
• Mental Health Foundation ACT Inc
  Ph: 6282 6658
  Provides an information and referral service, library, support groups
  www.mhf.org.au

15. I am a migrant parent and need support

• Barnardos – Parenting and Outreach Program and Family Care Program
  Ph: 6241 5466
  Range of family support services
  www.barnardos.org.au
• Canberra Men’s Centre
  Ph: 6230 6999
  Counselling and support for men
  www.menscentre.org.au
• Carers ACT – Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Carers Program
  Ph: 6221 8135
  Carers program
  www.carersact.asn.au
• CatholicCare – Family Support Services
  Ph: 6163 7600
  Outreach, practical support and community links for families
  www.centacare – canberra.org
• Companion House
  Ph: 6251 4550
  Assisting survivors of torture and trauma
  www.companionhouse.org.au
• Multicultural Youth Service
  Ph: 6100 4611
  Outreach and drop in service 12 to 25 years
  www.mys.org.au

16. I am an Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander parent and need support

• Belconnen Community Service – Boori’s Playgroup and Indigenous Women’s Drop-in
  Ph: 6264 0200
  Kooris, Murris, Torres Strait Islander mums and dads
  www.bcsact.com.au
• Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation|
  Ph: 6231 9555
  Provides a range of support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, including young parent support, 12 to 25 years
  www.gugan-gulwan.com.au
• Marymead – Indigenous Children’s Program
  Ph: 6162 5800
  Provides support services for Indigenous children and their families which are tailored to individual family needs. Services may include in home family support services, advocacy, supported playgroups and assistance with gaining access to other community based services. Support services are supplied by Indigenous staff members
  www.marymead.org.au
• CatholicCare – Reconnect
  Ph: 6163 7600
  Outreach support for families
  www.centacare-canberra.org
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service
  Ph: 6284 6222
  Holistic health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including parenting group
  www.winnunga.org.au
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service – Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officer
  Ph: 6284 6257
  www.winnunga.org.au

17. I am a young parent and need support 

• BubHub – parenting website
  www.bubhub.com.au
• CatholicCare – Family Support Services
  Ph: 6163 7600
  Outreach, practical support and community links for families
  www.centrecare-canberra.org
• Communities @ Work – Family Support Unit
  Ph: 6293 6500
  Range of services for families in the Tuggeranong and Weston Creek regions. Programs include family and individual support, women’s housing program, emergency relief
  www.commsatwork.org
• Directions ACT – Maysoon
  Ph: 6122 8000
  Women with young children using alcohol or other drugs
  www.directionsact.com
• Galilee Inc
  Ph: 6290 2191
  Range of services for disadvantaged young people, including school-aged, birth to 21 years
  www.galilee.org.au
• IMPACT Program
  Ph: 1800 211 274
  Coordination service for pregnant women affected by mental illness and/or receiving opioid replacement therapy, pregnant/birth to 2 years
  www.health.act.gov.au
• Inanna Service
  Ph: 6295 3323
  For women in distress, with or without children
  www.inanna.org.au
• Junction Youth Health Service
  Ph: 6232 2423
  Centre-based and outreach services
  www.thejunction.org.au
• Marymead – Horizons Program
  Ph: 6162 5800
  Support where mental illness impacts on parent-child relationships, birth to 8 years
  www.marymead.org.au
• Northside Community Service
  Ph: 6257 2255
  Support to families and individuals in the inner north
  www.northside.asn.au
• Parentline ACT
  Ph: 6287 3833
  Telephone counselling, after hours support and information about parenting courses and services in the ACT
  www.parentlineact.org.au
• The Canberra Hospital – Young Parents Antenatal Clinic Support
  Ph: 6244 3466
  Antenatal support
  www.health.act.gov.au
• Youth in the City – Young Parents Group
  Ph: 6232 2444
  Range of support for young parents 12 to 25 years
  www.anglicarecg.org.au
• YMCA – Lanyon Youth and Community Centre – Young Parents Group
  Ph: 6294 4633
  Young parent support 12 to 25 years
  www.ywca-canberra.org.au

18. More information about Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (CoPMI)

• CoPMI National Initiative www.copmi.net.au
• CoPMI Coordinator Mental Health ACT Ph: 6205 1110

19. Website information about mental illness

• Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au (Australia)
  Information about depression and anxiety for adults and young people
• Black Dog Institute www.blackdoginstitute.org.au (Australia)
  Comprehensive information about mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder
• SANE www.SANE.org (Australia)
  Information for those affected by mental illness and their families
• PANDSI www.pandsi.org 
  Post and Antenatal Depression Support and Information Inc (Australia)
• Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia www.mifa.org.au (Australia)
• COPMI www.copmi.net.au (Australia)

20. Are there websites about mental illness for young people?

• Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au (Australia)
  Information about depression, and anxiety for adults and young people
• CoPMI www.copmi.net.au (Australia)
  For children, parents and workers. Provides resources, information and links  
• It’s all right www.itsallright.org (Australia/SANE)
  For young people who have a family member or friend with a mental illness  
• headspace www.headspace.org.au (Australia)
  For young people and parents providing information about mental health
• Headroom www.headroom.net.au (Australia)
  For young people 12 to 18 years, 6 to12 years, parents and professionals regarding child and adolescent mental health
• Youngminds www.youngminds.org.uk (UK) 
  For young people; provides information about mental illness
• Young Carers www.youngcarers.net.au (Australia)
  For young carers which provides information and contacts for CoPMI young carers
• Reality Check www.realitycheck.net.au (Australia)
  Information for young people about mental illness

21. Services for children and young people in the ACT

• ACT Health – Bungee
  Ph: 6264 0232
  Resilience and wellbeing programs for children and young people at risk of developing mental health issues and their families
  www.bcsact.com.au
• Anglicare – CYCLOPS ACT
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Outreach support for young carers 10 to 18 years
  www.cyclopsact.org
• Anglicare – Litmus
  Ph: 6278 8444
  Young carer support for families affected by mental illness 11 to 18 years
• Barnardos – Camp Program
  Ph: 6241 5466
  www.barnardos.org.au
• Barnardos – Family Support Programs
  Ph: 6241 5466
  Range of family support services
  www.barnardos.org.au
• Belconnen Community Services Inc
  Ph: 6264 0200
  Leisure and open art programs, supporting people with a mental illness
  www.bcsact.com.au
• Canberra Police, Citizens and Youth Club (PCYC)
  Ph: 6296 1292
  Outreach and centre-based sports and recreation programs for young people 12 to 24 years
• Carers ACT – Young Carers Program
  Ph: 6296 9900
  Flexible respite options, practical support, group support
  www.carersact.asn.au
• Communities @ Work
  Range of services for families in the Tuggeranong and Weston Creek regions. Programs include family and individual support, women’s housing program, emergency relief
  Ph: 6288 4744
  www.commsatwork.org
• headspace ACT
  Ph: 6201 5343
  Youth mental health service for young people 12 to 25 years
  www.headspace.org.au
• Junction Youth Health Service
  Ph: 6232 2423
  Centre-based and outreach services
  www.thejunction.org.au
• Multicultural Youth Service
  Ph: 6247 1794
  Outreach and drop-in service for young people 12 to 25 years
  www.mys.org.au
• St Vincent de Paul – St Nick’s Young Carers Program
  Ph: 6121 2955
  Holiday camps, day activities and peer support leadership programs for CoPMI and young carers
  www.vinnies.org.au