SKIPS is a unique program that helps primary schools understand and support children and families when a parent suffers mental illness.

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One in five adults will suffer mental illness at some time. Many have children at primary school. SKIPS is a unique program that helps primary schools understand and support children and families when a parent suffers mental illness. The program deals with mental illness in a straightforward and honest manner.

Overview

• One in five adults will suffer mental illness at some time in their life. Many have children at primary school.
• SKIPS helps primary schools understand and support children and their families when a parent has a mental illness.
• SKIPS is direct and honest about mental illness in families and includes speakers for both teachers and students who talk about their lived experiences.
• SKIPS offers teachers and schools practical strategies for working with children and families when a parent has a mental illness.
• SKIPS has been presented in more than twenty schools in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs since 2000.
• SKIPS can be funded through SFYS brokerage.
• SKIPS is an award-winning program (Australia and NZ Mental Health Service Achievement Award—Silver 2005).

Parents

We offer a parent information evening about SKIPS or about mental illness if requested or required by the school or parents.

Teacher workshops

Workshop 1 gives information about the range, nature and treatability of mental illness and looks at its potential impact on families (75 minutes approx).

Workshop 2 looks at how teachers can support children and how schools can support families when a parent is mentally ill. A feature of this workshop is a guest speaker who grew up with a parent suffering mental illness telling their story and answering questions (75 minutes approx). Information for grade 5/6 teachers in whose classes the program will be conducted is provided at the end of the second workshop.

Grade 5/6 classes

Session 1

• physical health: from wellness to illness
• mental health as a similar continuum from
  good mental health to mental health problems
• similarities and differences between physical and mental health and illness
• brief introduction to mental illness.

Session 2

• the language we use for mental illness
• the possible causes of mental illness
• the nature of some mental illnesses
• the impact of mental illness on families and the children in those families.

Session 3: the person behind the illness

A person with a mental illness tells students their story and answers their questions.

Each session lasts one hour and includes interactive activities, games, worksheets and lots of discussion.

Why consider SKIPS for your school?

SKIPS increases teachers’ understanding of mental illness and their confidence in supporting children who live with a parent with mental illness.

SKIPS gives grade 5/6 students appropriate language for talking about mental illness and increases their understanding of people who live with mental illness.