Krista MacKinnon is the Director of Families Healing Together, an online resource for the families of individuals struggling with mental emotional distress. After working in the mental health system for thirteen years Krista, who was also a patient herself, realized that so many family members were not prepared with the communication and coping skills to effectively deal with a loved one experiencing an extreme state. Krista told us how her family was educated to believe that she would be sick her whole life. Today one of the many things she teaches families is to believe that their relative can get better.
In partnership with Family Outreach and Response and The Foundation For Excellence in Mental Health, Krista has developed an online program that lets families struggling with similar issues share experiences and ideas with each other, while giving them the option to remain anonymous. Her course which is now being requested by organizations/governments in Australia goes beyond just covering mental health diagnosis and medications. New communication skills, providing hope for recovery and setting boundaries are all critical aspects of what’s important in maintaining the family’s relationship with their loved one.
In many cases, families and individuals who need mental health support live in rural areas away from adequate resources. We are thrilled to learn about online options, like Families Healing Together, that provide support to anyone with internet access.
