Family Support
The Family Support Program at WOTCH provides services to the family, friends and care-givers of those who live with serious mental illness. Using a recovery-focused approach, the Family Support Worker assists care-givers by teaching them about mental illness, assisting them to develop a crisis plan and giving them the opportunity to share their struggles in a supportive environment. WOTCH is dedicated to giving family members and care-givers the tools that are necessary to become fully engaged in the recovery process of their loved one.
Family Education: The "Family Education Program" is a group education series that is offered to provide information on mental health issues, describe the recovery process and facilitate the development of positive coping strategies for concerned family members. This series is 8 weeks long and is open to the community.
The "Family Recovery Program" is a group education series that focuses on the family recovery process and is 6 weeks in duration Link to flyer click here.
Support Groups: "Inspiring Recovery Together" is a mutual support group for family members and friends who have a loved one living with mental illness. The group participants will share common experiences with mental health, provide mutual support and problem solving, and learn about community resources. The "Inspiring Recovery Together" group meets twice a month in the evenings and is open to the community. Please contact WOTCH for information about the dates and times of these meetings. Link to flyer click here.
Individual Support: A Family Support Worker is available to meet individually with family members to assess their needs, link to community resources, provide psycho-education and help them develop a more positive relationship with their ill family member. This service is provided on a short term basis only and is not meant to replace traditional counseling services.
The WOTCH Family Support Program partners with various other mental health agencies to provide quality support and education to family members in London through the Family Service Network. To see a full list of the Network's participating agencies and programs they offer, click here.
Caregiver Exchange interviews Sabrina Andrews:
When Sabrina Andrews joined WOTCH Community Mental Health Services in London four years ago, she brought more than a decade of experience in front-line mental health outreach. Today she is a family support worker who helps relatives and friends who care for someone with a mental illness gain understanding and awareness of why it’s important for caregivers to also care for themselves.
The Caregiver Exchange, a program of “the healthline.ca” recently interviewed Ms. Andrews on the topic of mental health recovery and how it impacts the care-giving role. To view this article, click here:
To view the article in a Word Document, click here.
Upcoming Events
Family Support Holiday Open House
Thursday, December 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at WOTCH
534 Queens Avenue.
All members of the family are welcome – including children! There will be a horse-drawn wagon ride through the downtown core as well as hot beverages and a dessert table. Please email or call Sabrina Andrews to RSVP Click here for flyer!!
For further information, please contact Sabrina Andrews at 519-668-0624, ext. 227
