Test Drive | Page 19

“The one message I want to get out and believe so strongly, is that we need to have family involved when we are supporting a loved one.” “That’s what families connect with – somebody who has walked through it and been there and understands it,” she says. Cooley speaks often about the impact of having a family member with a mental disorder and the need for honest conversations. “It affects everyone in the family, and everyone responds differently, but having that support is critical,” she says, adding that the important piece is that everyone comes together as a family. Using her daughter’s experience as an example, Cooley explains that the strong support system helps her daughter move forward with her illness. “She knows that things aren’t going to collapse underneath her when things do not go well. That foundation is so solid and it gives her the confidence knowing that she’s not fighting this by herself. She has a family who knows what skills to use and when to use them, how to step in and what works best. We just do it automatically, and that to me is huge.” In terms of the Family Support program, Cooley encourages families to reach out and realize the benefits that come from being part of it. “The one message I want to ge Ё