SYNOPSIS

‘Keepin’ It Together’ may present a major challenge for a family already facing a long list of socio-economic pressures  and when mental health woes arise, the strain is compounded manifold. The helping professional, too, is faced with the complexities of working with a couple or a family in the context of an individual member’s mental health issues. It is thus increasingly important for members of the helping professions to recognize the range of mental health problems that may occur at different developmental stages across the lifespan. It is also vital for these professionals to develop and be equipped with skills in working with couples and families grappling with a complex combination of stressors  in particular, mental illness. This workshop aims to provide participants with information on a range of mental health issues across the family life cycle. The small group discussions will focus on examining the issues and interventions in working with specific groups, such as Children & Adolescents, the Elderly, as well as on Marital relationships & Parenting. The small-group discussion on ‘A Family in Crisis’ will explore the interplay between acute crises, long-term stressors and their effects on a family’s mental health and coping strategies .

WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

You are:

A social worker, psychologist, counsellor, family therapist, law enforcement officer, correction officer, pastoral worker, educator or in any of the helping professions.

PROGRAMME

0830 – 0900 0900 – 0905 0905 - 0920 0920 – 1000 1000 – 1030 1030 – 1100 1100 – 1200 1200 – 1230 1230 Registration Welcome by Head MSW Ms Lilian Mark Address by Guest of Honour Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of National Development)

Mental Health across the lifespan

Dr Alex Su (Head, Emergency Service and Admission)

Family Work in Mental Health

Mr Vincent Ng (Deputy Head MSW) Tea-break

Small Group Discussion

- Children and adolescents - Marital Relationships & Parenting - A Family in Crisis - The Elderly Questions and Answers Closure of workshop Join in our Social Workers’ Day celebration I would like to join the Small Group Discussion on: (Please list the following in the order of your preference) Children and Adolescents Marital Relationships & Parenting A Family in Crisis The Elderly Slots for the group discussion are limited. Allocations are on a first -come first-served basis.

Registration fee including all course materials and tea-break is

$10 per person

.

Please make cheque payable to:

Institute of Mental Health

Closing date for registration: 11 January 2007

Please send your registration form together with the crossed cheque to: INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH 10 BUANGKOK VIEW, SINGAPORE 539747 MS GINA TEO (MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION)

KEEPIN’ IT TOGETHER

Family Life: A Mental Health Perspective

Did you know that:

• 7% of school-going children have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) • 1% of the population suffers from the psychotic disorder schizophrenia • 5.6% of adults surveyed in Singapore would experience clinical depression in their lifetime • 5% of people over 65 suffer from Alzheimer's disease • 1 in 4 families would have at least 1 member currently suffering from a mental or behavioral disorder

INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT BUANGKOK GREEN MEDICAL PARK 10 BUANGKOK VIEW SINGAPORE 539747 TEL: 63892059 FAX: 63851053

Date: 18 TH JANUARY 2007 Time: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Venue: Institute of Mental Health Auditorium Fees: $10 / person

A Mind Your Mind Symposium brought to you by the Medical Social Work Department Supported by: Organized in conjunction with the inaugural Social Workers’ Day , 20 th Jan 2007.