1. Unit 6 The Family Experience

2. Module Objectives
Describe the experience of living with and caring for youth with mental health disorders
List ways that the law enforcement community can support families who are caring for youth with mental health needs who come in contact with the law
Create meaningful opportunities to engage families and promote partnerships

3. Let’s Talk about Families
Grandparents/ older siblings raising kids
Extended Family
Older Parents
Nuclear Family
Single Parents
Younger Parents
Same-sex Parents
Working Parents
Blended Family
Adoption Family

4. Some Family Stressors
Transportation
Money
Work
Sickness or Death
Time

5. Family
Think about the family of a student involved with the juvenile justice system:
What are they thinking?
What are they feeling?
What if the youth has a mental illness?
What questions might the family have?
What concerns might arise?

6. Bias still exists in how parents of children with mental health conditions are viewed.
The Family’s Role

7. Getting help is not always easy

8. In desperation, families call police

9. The family is the primary emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual support of a youth

10. In Their Own Words

11. Activity What would you want to know?

12. Brainstorm What can YOU do to support families?