News from the Shriver Center

Having a brother or sister with a serious mental illness is stressful for other siblings in the family. Now an innovative support program is available for families of youth and young adults hospitalized in the inpatient adolescent psychiatry units at the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital.

“Our sibling support program strives to decrease trauma and build resiliency among family members of psychiatrically hospitalized patients,” said Emily Rubin, MA, founder and director of the program at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School and assistant professor of psychiatry. “It further builds capacity among providers who practice family-centered mental health care.”

On April 2, when UMass Medical School illuminates its landmark building blue, it will be participating not only in the International Light It Up Blue Celebration to show solidarity with millions of people across the world living with autism, it will also be affirming its commitment to the many people and families in Central and Western, MA.