Parents & Family

Mātua & Whānau | Parents & Family

This page is for parents who experience mental health or addiction concerns and their family and whānau members.  It contains information and resources to help you support your child/ren and to talk with them about what is going on.

For information about common mental health and addiction concerns visit the Mental Health Foundation website.

Below are the links to a range of resources including factsheets that have been specially developed for parents who experience mental health or addiction problems.

Click on the titles to download these resources.


Tips, guides and info sheets

  • Living Well
    Living Well is a resource for family, whānau and friends of people using alcohol and other drugs. It provides suggestions, strategies and ideas about how families, whānau and friends can look after themselves during difficult times.
  • The best for me and my baby
    Managing mental health during pregnancy and early parenthood. Health professionals and parents working together. 
  • Family Talk
    Tips and information for families where a parent has a mental health problem or disorder.
  • Plan for Caring for Children
    This plan is for parents to record their wishes regarding supports for their child/ren should the parent need a period of time in a residential/rehabilitation/inpatient service in the future
  • Talking with your child about mental health and addiction issues 
    This information sheet provides advice and suggestions for parents for talking with their child/ren about the parent's mental health or addiction issue
  • Parenting Through Challenging Times
    This Matua Raḵi (now Te Pou) resource is part of the Supporting Parents, Healthy Children programme of work and aims to support parents or carers to talk to their children/tamariki in an age-appropriate way about challenges that might be occurring in the family and whānau; and build healthy strong relationships with their children/tamariki. 
  • Kina Families and Addictions Trust
    Lots of family members struggle with a loved one's alcohol or other drug use, often suffering in silence for years with the mistaken belief that there is nothing they can do to improve their lives. The Kina families and addictions trust website has tools and resources to help you understand the impact of addiction on your life and the life of your whānau.


Factsheets

All factsheets originally developed by Emerging Minds in Australia and adapted for New Zealand families and whānau.  
 

This resource helps you to connect with your baby when you are experiencing mental health challenges so that they feel secure and nurtured.  It steps you through:

  • Understanding your feelings and behaviours
  • Understanding what your baby notices and experiences
  • Communicating and connecting with your baby

 

This resource will help you to connect with your toddler or young child when you are experiencing a mental health issue so they feel secure and nurtured. It steps you through:

  • Understanding your feelings and behaviours
  • Thinking about what your toddler or young child notices and experiences
  • Communicating with your toddler

 

This resource helps you to prepare for conversations about your mental health with your child so that they have a better understanding of what is happening. It steps you through:

  • Understanding your feelings and behaviours
  • Understanding what your child notices and experiences
  • Preparing to talk with your child.

 

This resource helps you to prepare for conversations about your mental health with your teenager so that they have a better understanding of what is happening. It steps you through:

  • Understanding your thoughts, feelings and behaviours
  • Understanding what your teenager notices and experiences
  • Preparing to talk to your teenager

 

  • How can I help my child -  A guide
    This guide has been prepared for parents who experience mental health issues. It is intended to give you time to think about being a parent living with mental health issues and to help you find practical ways to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of your child and family or whānau.  Originally developed by Emerging Minds in Australia this guide has been adapted for New Zealand families and whānau.  

 

Further resources can be found at www.copmi.net.au