In 2026, the Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness Program (the Program) marks 10 years since becoming a statewide initiative.
The Bouverie Centre is proud to celebrate a decade of coordinating the Program across the state and acknowledges the ongoing work of Program Coordinators and Program Community Workers for Children and Young People (CYP Workers) in the 22 Victorian Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services. We recognise and celebrate the lived experience of parents and young people who have inspired the Program’s work over the years.
Reflecting on the 10 years, Statewide Program Coordinator Hanna Jewell highlighted the collective commitment behind the work and its impact:
“The achievements of the past decade demonstrate the power of collaboration, shared vision, and a commitment to improving outcomes for parents, children, young people and families. The ongoing aim of the Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness Program is that family-inclusive practice becomes standard mental health practice.”
In this recent media release from the Victorian Department of Health, Michelle Hegarty, Statewide Child and Young Person Coordinator, describes the work of the Program and the benefits to consumer parents, their children and families, of services having a whole-of-family approach.
Learn more about the Program here
New publication
ReFraming the Families Where a Parent Has a Mental Illness Program: Using a Participatory Action Research Approach to Create Change
We're pleased to share a new publication exploring how a participatory action research approach helped reframe and strengthen the Families Where a Parent Has a Mental Illness Program.
The article examines the program's efforts to respond to the experiences of families where a parent faces mental health challenges. It aligns with state policy and mental health reform initiatives, as well as international research, by deliberately and systematically exploring the frames in use to identify those that should be advanced or avoided in the program's future work.
The supporting Avoid and Advance Guidance Document provides a practical tool for mental health practitioners to reflect on and shift towards family-focused recovery practice that is context-sensitive, person-centred, and strengths-based.
Key insights include:
- Participatory approaches can build ownership, engagement, and long-term change.
- Systems change is an ongoing process that requires shared learning and adaptation.
- Reflecting on language, assumptions, and practice frameworks can support a strengths-based, whole-of-family approach.
This article will be of particular interest to policymakers, service leaders, practitioners, researchers, and organisations working with children, families, and communities, especially those focused on prevention, mental health, and family wellbeing.
