Family Help Update

Family Help

Family Help: Open to Referrals!

We are pleased to announce that on September 23rd, 2002, the Family Help Program Pilot Study began accepting referrals for:

• Disruptive Behaviour Disorder (DBD), ages 3 -7
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ages 8-12
• Recurrent Headache & Abdominal Pain, ages 9-16
• Enuresis (Nighttime Bedwetting), ages 5-12
• Anxiety Disorders, ages 6-12

The purpose of the pilot study is to ensure that the physician referral system is easy to use, that the text and exercises in the manuals are manageable for parents and children, and that phone interactions with the coach are effective.

Ten children per problem module will be enrolled in the pilot phase of the study. Six families have already been enrolled (3 DBD, 1 ADHD, and 2 Enuresis). Following the pilot study, the Family Help Program will begin the randomized trials.

To date, we have recruited 15 family physicians from the Nova Scotia District Health Authorities 4, 5, and 6 to collaborate with us for the pilot study phase.

The referral process is "easy-to-use". All that is required is to complete a 1-page checklist specific to the problem area, provide the Study Information Letter to the parent, and fax the referral toll-free to 1-866-470-7222. We will provide each physician a Referral Binder that includes these referral tools.

If you are a physician within these Health Districts and you would like to learn more about the Family Help Program, please contact Trish Pottie, Program Manager at 1-866-470-7111.

Toll free numbers for Family Help:

In the effort to be accessible to everyone, we have toll free numbers for contacting the Family Help team or to leave a message with us (24 hours a day).
Doctors, participants, and people inquiring about our program can use these numbers!
Phone: 1-866-470-7111
Fax: 1-866-470-7222
E-mail: family.help.info.ca

What is Family Help?

Family Help is a distance treatment service being developed to provide up-to-date, primary care, mental health treatment for families with significant problems who are currently not seen in mental health services. Family Help will treat families who require help with specific, significant problems and who are referred by their family physicians. Treatment will be delivered by telephone, written manuals, videotapes and audiotapes.

Treatment will be delivered according to the best evidence-based protocols by coaches under the direct supervision of mental health professionals. Family Help will fill the gap between currently available primary care and mental health services.

A major advantage of Family Help is that it will be cost effective both from the point of view of the families (no traveling or taking time off work) and from the point of view of the health care system (1/4 to 1/5 as costly as standard treatment).

Family Help Program Progress:

The manuals and video production are ready for pilot testing. Many experts including psychologists, physicians, nurses, parents, educational consultants, and most importantly children, where applicable, have carefully reviewed these manuals and offered valuable suggestions.

The website for the Disruptive Behaviour Module is nearing completion. Testing of the system, by 50 volunteers, took place on Oct. 8th. A few minor problems remain to be resolved but the website will soon be ready for participants. Please note that at this time the website is for the Disruptive Behaviour Module only. However, with our on-going efforts to seek more funding, all the modules will eventually be available via the web.

Who are the people involved in Family Help?

We would like to extend a warm welcome to new members of the Family Help Team!

Heather Robertson - Heather joined the team in July of this year, in the role of Family Help Psychologist. She has a Masters degree in Psychology and extensive experience in child and adolescent mental health and clinical research. She is responsible for the clinical training and supervision of Family Help coaches, quality control, screening of referrals for eligibility, and will also be involved in development and dissemination of study data. Heather loves baking, swimming, reading good fiction, and chocolate (not necessarily in that order).

Angela Mailman, Coach - Angela has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Dalhousie. She enjoys dancing and outdoor sports such as surfing and snowboarding.

Sonya Melnyk, Coach - Sonya is a senior-year honours psychology student at Dalhousie University. Much of Sonya's time is currently taken up with her studies and her part-time work on the Family Help team. However, she does enjoy reading, yoga, and dancing.

Andrew Clarke, Coach - Andrew hails from the Bahamas. He has an honours undergraduate degree in biology and psychology from Saint Mary's University. Andrew enjoys playing rugby and sailing. He also enjoys writing in his spare time.

Christine Sherren, Coach - Christine has an honours undergraduate science degree from Dalhousie University and has worked within the IWK Health Centre for the past several years. She enjoys singing, watching movies, and skating.

Previous issues of Family Help Update.

If you did not receive the past issue that gave the background for Family Help, you may call our office to have one sent to you.

Future issues of Family Help Update: