When One Suffers, All Are Affected – Supporting Families in Mental Health Nursing: A Conceptual Review of Roles, Impacts, and Recommendations

With the increasing incidence of mental health conditions in Canada and globally, there is a growing understanding of the vital role that families play in supporting their loved ones. Families regularly provide psychological, emotional, physical, and financial assistance; however, they also endure significant burdens in these same areas. This conceptual review discusses the importance of mental health nurses (MHNs) extending their care to include family members, who are frequently ignored in mental health practices. Grounded in Family Systems Theory (FST) and current literature, this article produces three core themes: (1) families as essential partners in mental health, (2) the burden of caregiving on families, and (3) the value of supporting families in care. This article introduces a customized family-centered care framework, PACES, designed to guide MHNs in supporting and collaborating with families. The PACES framework highlights five essential areas: (1) partnership and collaboration, (2) assess needs, (3) communication, (4) education and (5) support family needs. Its implementation can empower MHNs to enhance recovery outcomes for patients while also fostering resilience and well-being within families.