Resources for Families and Children
 The Anger Toolbox,Tools for children and teens, and for those caring for them, to get through angry times.The Anger Toolbox, with its friendly, honest style, uses evidence-based information and local New Zealand support contacts. It looks at what anger is, the effects it can have on us and the different strategies children, teens and adults can learn to manage it safely and
well. It is written by Tricia Irving Hendry, John Taylor Smith and Jenny
McIntosh, who have brought to it their backgrounds in parenting,
grand-parenting, teaching, writing, school leadership, counselling,
nursing, youth and community work. They have also consulted widely with
specialists and researchers to develop this handbook.
To buy a copy
Purchase online at www.skylight.org.nz/shop
or phone 0800 299 100
or email support@skylight-trust.org.nz 
 Bipolar BearsA storybook for children who have a mum or dad with Bipolar Disorder
Daddy Bear is acting very strangely and his children are confused and scared.
Mental illness is difficult to explain to children as it is not
visible. Sometimes people find it hard to talk about. This book will
help children understand that Bipolar Disorder is manageable with
medical care and the support of family and friends. With help, people
with Bipolar Disorder can lead normal, happy lives.
This beautifully illustrated children´s book,
finished in watercolour provides wonderful pictures aimed at children
from 5 years old. The book follows the story of Daddy Bear and his
family as he has a Bipolar episode. His children are dragged along on
his rollercoaster ride where he starts many activities-but before they
are finished, he moves onto the next. The book explains what can happen
during a manic episode and then how a doctor and rest can help calm
Daddy Bear's very busy brain.
This wonderful story helps children understand the behaviours associated with Bipolar Disorder.
Bipolar Bears is a 24 page, A4 book and is available to purchase at $15 plus postage.
 The Journey Through - Ideas for getting through tough timesby Young People from around NZ, with the Skylight Team
Skylight has launched an innovative new single edition youth support magazine,‘The Journey Through’, which honestly and frankly tackles the very difficult issues teens and young people face. It’s been written specifically for young people in New Zealand,and features many stories, words and photos, kiwi teens have contributed.
 Children Of Parents with Mental Illness (COPMI) national initiativeAll downloadable booklets.
Due to the popularity of the translated
versions of the COPMI booklet ‘Piecing the Puzzle Together’ they are pleased to
advise that 2 booklets for families ‘(The Best For Me and My Baby’ and ‘Family
Talk’) are now also available for download from their website in the following
community languages - Hindi, Chinese, Dinka, Swahili, Spanish, and Arabic.
Follow this link
http://www.copmi.net.au/common/download.html or go to the ‘Downloadable Items’
area of the ‘Resources’ section of the COPMI website www.copmi.net.au to find
all downloadable booklets.
 Mums and Dads - Parents with experience of mental illness share their storiesProduced by KITES and the Mental Health CommissionUp to 50 percent of people who experience mental illness are parents. In this booklet 12 of these people share their stories to inspire others. Societal attitudes can often negate the role of parenting and many parents who experience mental illness have faced discrimination. We believe that parenting is a right and a privilege and people with experience of mental illness have as much right to become a parent as anyone else. The Mental Health Commission (www.mhc.govt.nz ) & KITES (www.kites.org.nz ).
 The Wise Mouse by Virginia Ironside and illustrated by Nick SharrattRecording - Click on the link button to listen to the recording
Book about a little girl
who worries about her mother who is mentally ill. Maria is a little girl who’s
very worried about her mother: why does she behave so oddly at times? One
night, very upset about it all, Maria feels a tap on her shoulder and wakes to
find a mouse sitting on her duvet. It’s not just any old mouse, but a very wise
one who can talk to Maria about all her worries…
This book by Virginia Ironside and illustrated by Nick Sharratt aims to help 5
to 11 year-olds understand what is happening to a family member who may
be experiencing a mental illness.
WISE MOUSE BOOKTo purchase the "Wise Mouse" bookPublications can be purchased by calling theYoungMinds Order Line on 0870 870 1721 or Fax: 020 7336 8446 or filling in an online order for. Click on link below. 
 Kids Plan - A resource for families/whanauProduced by KITES
KITES
(www.kites.org.nz) have adapted this
resource for NZ from an Australian resource by COMIC (www.howstat.com/comic).
Parents who have
experienced mental illness have reported that they can face unique
challenges in addition to the usual challenges of parenting such as housing,
employment, financial constraints and childcare. Some parents have
reported that it can be difficult to discuss their mental illness with
their children and that mental health services do not always recognise
their role as a parent.
We hope this plan is a
useful resource that can be adapted and used to suit you and your family. It
encourages thinking ahead, to be prepared in the event your mental illness (or
any other major illness) may result in difficulties responding to all the needs
of your children for a period of time.
Parents with Mental Illness - 5 Fact SheetsProduced by KITES
Fact Sheet 1: Parents with mental illness
Fact Sheet 2: Parents with mental illness - Positive Parenting
Fact Sheet 3: Parents with mental illness - Helping children understand mental illness
Fact Sheet 4: Parents with mental illness - Information for workers
Fact Sheet 5: Parents with mental illness - Where to get parenting help
You are welcome to copy and distribute these fact sheets.
This fact sheet was produced by: Kites P O Box 9392, Marion Square, Wellington with funding from the High and Complex Needs Unit, a joint strategy of the Ministries of Health and Education and the Department of Child, Youth and Family Service.
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