Tell us what you think about the siblings network

Promoting sibling needs through research

We have conducted research into what siblings need, by taking in-depth questionnaires, setting up a sibling steering group and listening and talking to siblings who want to share their stories and advice with the siblings network. We also support researchers looking at the needs of siblings and how they can be met.

We want to make sure that mental health professionals, parents and siblings themselves are aware of the issues that having a brother or a sister affected by mental illness may raise, and that all groups have access to information and resources designed to help siblings cope with the issues they may face.

Join a new research project for 16-35s who have a brother or sister with experience of psychosis

Kings College London are offering an opportunity to shape a research project that will help the brothers and sisters of people who are receiving help for psychosis.

Two men at Computer2They are looking for volunteers to help oversee and shape an innovative new research project. They will be creating an online package to help people such as yourself to understand and cope with their sibling's psychosis.

To take part in this project, you will need to answer yes to the following questions:

Do you have a brother or sister who is receiving help from a local mental health service for psychosis?
Are you aged between 16-35?
Do you live in Greater London?

They will offer a rewarding experience and payments for your time taken in meetings and consultations.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Jacqui Sin at Jacqueline.sin@kcl.ac.uk

Download our flier for more information: sibling reference group flyer for research project.pdf (160 kb) [pdf]

Sibling report 2011

We took a survey of siblings in 2011 and asked what siblings wanted to know more about, where they would like to find this information, how mental illness in the family affects their lives and how Rethink Mental Illness, families and professionals could better support them.

You can also read summaries of the survey results:

The impact of first episode psychosis on siblings' identity 2011

Newman, Simonds & Billings (2011) explored the impact of having a brother or sister who has experienced a first episode of psychosis on siblings’ sense of self, their identity development and the roles they adopt within their families. 

Four siblings took part in the study, two male and two female, aged between 17 and 24 years.

For more information, contact: Sharon Newman, s_newman31@yahoo.co.uk

Research on siblings of individuals with first-episode pyschosis 2008

Berkshire Healthcare Trust and Thames Valley University have been conducting research into the experiences of siblings whose brother or sister had experienced a first episode of psychosis within the last three years. The research was carried out in Berkshire and West London with siblings aged between 16 - 35.

You can download and view the report below:

For more information, contact: Jacqueline Sin, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust & King's College London Jacqueline.sin@kcl.ac.uk

 

Sibling survey 2006

Over the years, Rethink members have asked Rethink to provide more specific support and information for siblings as their needs and questions are different to other family members. in 2006 we did a survey of our members and non-members and the feedback was that siblings wanted and needed their own community and support.

This research helped us to get funding from the Big Lottery Fund to set up a sibling network.