The initial phase of a recovery from a mental illness is overcoming a state of feeling stuck. This begins to happen as the individual acknowledges and accepts his or her illness, develops the desire and motivation to change, and finds and utilizes sources of hope.

When someone becomes a CooperRiis resident, family members are guided towards methods for positive, encouraging voices as their son, daughter, spouse, or sibling gain a new perspective on self and their disorder and takes new risks in the world.

The CooperRiis Clinical Team offers support for the residents’ family member, providing constructive and regular communication in person, when possible, or via phone or e-mail.  Even as our objective is to help the family member learn new ways of becoming supportive, we also seek to support their next of kin in their own healing process.

In support of our efforts to guide and educate families, we host a “Family Education Weekend” twice a year, in April and in October.  This three-day weekend is filled with educational workshops, sharing time and entertainment, and typically starts Friday morning and ending Sunday at noon.  It is open to all current families at CooperRiis and the CooperRiis Graduate Programs.

Download our Family Ties Newsletter in a PDF Format by clicking this link

You may also view a sample invitation to the Family Education Weekend by clicking this link.