Wishing Wellness: A Workbook for Children of Parents With Mental Illness

by Lisa Anne Clarke, Bonnie Matthews (Illustrator)

A workbook is for children (ages 6-12) who have a parent with severe, incapacitating disorders like psychosis, suicidal depression, extreme anxiety or those undergoing the most intensive forms of treatment (such as psychiatric hospitalization or day treatment). These children's sense of belonging, competency, and identity can be harmed or jeopardized. This workbook addresses this, and is designed to allow children to process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences while learning more about their parent's illness. The presentation and pace of information is intentionally slow, so that artistic activities and "off-task" time will help kids relax and better integrate what they have learned. Innovative, fun exercises have been included to teach self-coping, confidence, self-esteem, stress management, and play skills. An excellent therapeutic tool for use with groups or in individual sessions.

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Arin Brutlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this book is styled as a workbook for children. It includes numerous fill-in-the-blank activities for children to complete about themselves, their family, and their parent with mental illness. The book is packed full of small glossaries, explanations, and checklists in terms that are simple enough for children to understand, but not so simple as to avoid an in-depth, appropriate exploration of mental illness. At the very end of the book, there is a certificate of completion for children to fill out once the book has been completed. 127 pages.