Media Release 02 Oct 2007

Supporting children when parents struggle with a mental illness

The Family Room, a child-friendly space within the CJ Cummins acute mental health unit at Royal North Shore Hospital, will open on Wednesday 3 October 2007.

For the first time, children and young people whose parents have a mental illness will have a child-friendly space when visiting their parents in the unit. The room is equipped with toys and activities, as well as resources for children, parents and staff working with families affected by mental illness.

The establishment of the Family Room was supported by Cummins Unit staff members, the project worker from COPMI (Children of Parents with Mental Illness) and the Northern Sydney Central Coast Health (NSCCH) Mental Health Family and Carer Project.

What: opening of the CJ Cummins Unit Family Room
When: Wednesday 3 October 2007 at 10:15 for 10:30
Where: CJ Cummins Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital

The Family Room will be officially opened by Dr Nick O’Connor, NSCCH Director Mental Health and Ms Mary Bonner, General Manager, North Shore Ryde Health Service.

Families and staff members will be on hand to explain how The Family Room will work.

Information: Emily Saker NSCCH Corporate Communications
9926 8313 0404 054 160

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