September 2009

Children learn art of coping when mums are sick

Children of parents battling serious illness can build skills to help them cope with the trauma, thanks to a special project developed at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

My kite will fly: Managing children’s needs during the course of parental cancer treatments is a unique counselling model that features art therapy and online tools for youngsters.

The project was developed by oncology social worker Dr Cynthia Holland under the direction of Director of Gynaecological Oncology Professor Michael Quinn.

‘Cancer is an overwhelming life event that creates anxiety and feelings of helplessness and also threatens to impair child and family functioning,’ Dr Holland said.  

‘Painting and online artwork give youngsters an avenue to express their feelings and it helps social workers who see families keep track of how they are coping with the pressures of illness.’

Dr Holland has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to expand the project to include a children’s book, online text and an expanded art work program as well as guidelines and a practice manual for professionals.

As part of her Fellowship research, Dr Holland will visit leading family counselling services in the United States to study methods and share experiences.   

‘During 20 years as an oncology social worker, I have seen that drawing can be a powerful outlet for children with a parent battling cancer and other serious illness.’

My kite will fly encourages children from toddlers to early teens to use art to explore their emotions using conventional materials and online tools that offer a suite of art work templates that reflect age, gender and interests.

Professional clinicians have provided feedback in the design of the art materials, as well as coping strategies and information about sites users can access for more help.

When it is established, the My kite will fly website will record the children’s illustrations and it will also allow them to showcase their work in an online gallery.

The project is supported by The Women’s, Royal Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospitals, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the University of Melbourne, Oncology Social Work Australia and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.