PSYCHOEDUCATION WORKSHOP FOR FAMILIES Workshop Agenda 10:00 am: Light Breakfast 10:30 am: Workshop begins 12:30 pm: Lunch 1:30 pm: Workshop resumes 4:00 pm: Workshop ends Stages of a Psychoeducational Multifamily Group Joining Family and patient separately 3-6 weeks Educational workshop Families only 1 day Ongoing MFG Families & patients bi-weekly for 1 year The Value of Employment An Opportunity to be part of the Community Increases Self-Esteem Reduces Stigma Contributes to Quality of Life Provides Structure to Daily Life Reduces Dependence on Public Assistance Myths about Employment Work is too stressful An extensive evaluation is required before working Sheltered Workshops are preferable to competitive employment Any work is better than no work People do not want to work Barriers to Employment Stigma/Poor Self-Image Stress/Deficient Coping Skills Loss of Benefits Lack of Child Care/Transportation/Stable Housing Lack of Experience/Education Inadequate Social Support System Deficient Communication Skills Mental & Medical Illness/Drugs &Alcohol Stress I Identifying signs of stress – Anger/Irritability – Anxiety – Argumentative – Social Withdrawal – Insomnia – Sadness Stress II Coping with Stress – Avoiding stressful situations – Learning to use stress reduction skills – Develop/mobilize a social support network – Cognitive Restructuring Factors that affect Work Capacity Socio-Environmental Stressors Psychological Vulnerability Preventative Factors •Social Support •Job Skills •Vocational Rehabilitation Program Impairment Disabilities Handicaps Results from Rehabilitation Good Bad Specific Employment Strategies Looking for Work – Pounding the pavement – Talking to friends/family for suggestions – Internet/Email/Online applications Local Resources/CT Policies (FFI staff) Keeping a Job – Working with others – Difficult co-workers/managers/supervisors – Appropriate on-the-job behaviors Employment (Basics) Gives and Gets – An investment you make when you work at a job – A payoff you receive from working Knows and Don’t Knows – Things about your job with which you are familiar – Things you want to learn more about Sweats and No Sweats – Parts of your job that cause stress – Parts of your job that are your workplace strengths Employment (Advanced) Job Improvement – What do you want me to do? – When do you want me to do it? – How am I doing? Staying Motivated – Identify motivators and de-motivators – Using your support system Family Psychoeducation Correcting Stigma about being unemployed, underemployed, single mom, victim of domestic violence, etc. and capacity to work/school, low SES, low academic achievement The value of and ways to provide Family Support in the Vocational/School process. Engaging Relative/s as sources of active, ongoing support in the Job/School Development process. Engaging Relative/s as sources of active, ongoing support in the Follow-up Support state once the client is employed or registered at school FAMILIES CAN HELP: Learn about barriers to work Find ways around the barriers Provide a healing environment Have realistic hope Keep the whole family strong HELPFUL FAMILIES Accept the person as needing help Set realistic, attainable goals Include the person in the family Keep a loving distance Have a calm atmosphere Give frequent praise Give specific criticism FAMILY EVENTS AND THE COMPARISON WITH OTHERS THE EASIEST TASKS BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 1. MOVE FORWARD ONE STEP AT A TIME •Recovery is a slow process •Staying calm and relaxed is important •Maintain optimism MAINTAIN HOPE Functional Level Time PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 2. MAINTAIN A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT •Being enthusiastic is normal do not get excited •Disagreement and getting mad is normal do not get excited PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 3. PROVIDE ENOUGH PERSONAL SPACE •Privacy is important •It is okay to offer it •It is okay to reject it PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 4. SETTING LIMITS AND NORMS -Everyone should be aware of norms -With a few norms, everything is clearer PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 5. ACCEPTING WHAT WE CANNOT CHANGE •Understanding what you can give up •Do not ignore violent behavior PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 6. EXPRESS YOURSELF CLEARLY, CALMLY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY •Simplifying things lead to better understanding PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 7. TEMPORARILY REDUCE EXPECTATCTION •Use personal experience •Compare this month with previous good months, rather than last year or next. PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 8. FOLLOW DOCTOR’S SUGGESTIONS •TAKE MEDICATION AS PRESCRIBED •Do not take medication that is not prescribed to you PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 9. REESTABLISH FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND DAILY ROUTINES ASAP •Return to a good routine ASAP •Maintain strong ties with family and friends PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 10. ABSTAIN FROM DRUGS AND ALCOHOL -Voids effects of medication -Worsens treatment -Worsens side effects PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 11. DETECTING WARNING SIGNS OF STRESS •Observe relevant changes •Immediately consult with case worker or doctor PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING FAMILIES CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 12. SOLVE PROBLEMS STEP-BY-STEP -Gradually introduce changes -Work on one thing at a time Intervention Techniques I: The Problem Solving Method Stop and Think Define the Problem Possible Solutions Evaluate each Solution Choose and Plan to Implement your Solution Resource Management Pick a Time and Do It! PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD FIRST STEP: STOP AND THINK •One must be calm before he/she can concentrate •Once relaxed, we can use the problem solving steps to resolve difficult issues PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD SECOND STEP: DEFINE THE PROBLEM •It is essential to determine exactly what is the problem to have any chance of solving it •Discuss the problem thoroughly •Listen carefully to all everyone’s opinions PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD THIRD STEP: LIST THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS •Include all suggestions without judgment •The first solution might not be very good •Everyone should provide a potential solution PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD FOURTH STEP: EVALUATE EACH SOLUTION •Examine the Advantages and Disadvantages •Make a List of the Advantages •Make a List of the Disadvantages PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD FIFTH STEP: SELECT THE “BEST” SOLUTION •The “BEST” depends on each person •The solution with the most advantages and least disadvantages might be the best solution PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD SIXTH STEP: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -Identify the resources needed to get the job done -Anticipate and address barriers PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD SEVENTH STEP: CARRY OUT THE SOLUTION •Decide the appropriate time and place •Put in the required effort •Correct any errors •If it does not work, try again with a “better” solution PROBLEM SOLVING TOPICS Transportation Child Care Housing Job/Educational Development/Retention/Satisfaction Health Developing Support Socialization and Recreation Domestic Problems Stigma (social, family, etc.)