Mentally Ill Parents

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Mental health is a prominent health issue that can affect more than just the single individual who has been diagnosed. This is especially true when examining families with children where the parent is the individual exhibiting signs of mental illness. It has been shown that children of mentally ill parents are “two to even 13 times more likely to develop psychosocial problems” (Van Loon, Van De Ven, Van Doesum, Hosma, & Witteman, 2017). It has been reported that nearly one-third of parents attending psychiatric services have children that are 18 years old or younger (Afzelius, Plantin, & Ostman, 2017). Although mental illness can be a familial process there is a significant need for psychiatric care givers of parents and social workers to work …show more content…

However, complications arise for parenting while experiencing mental health issues. Parental mental illness can be a consistent source of preoccupation. Parents frequently complain of feeling fatigue, body pain and worry about unpredictable behavior (Afzelius, Plantin, & Ostman, 2017). Mentally ill parents are usually cognizant regarding the risk that their children may be susceptible to mental health issues as well. This may be referred to transgenerational risk transmission. Transgenerational risks can include outside social influences, interactions between parent and child, prenatal factors and genetic predisposition (Van Loon et al., 2017). Parents may be reluctant to seek help due to a lack of financial resources, embarrassment, stigmatization or loss of custody of their children (Wahl, Bruland, Bauer, & Okan, 2017). Authors Afzelius, Plantin, and Ostman (2017) referred to these type of parents as ‘silent parents’. Silent parents “are those in need of parenting support but hide serious mental illness and receive psychiatric care only when it is urgent” (Afzelius, Plantin, & Ostman, 2017). Research has revealed that there are three dominant forms of parental need. Based on parental reporting, there is a need for pragmatic facilitation, support to address a child’s well-being and support for maintaining the status of being a good …show more content…

Social workers relay there is currently a feeling of dismissiveness and disinterest from psychiatrists regarding a patient’s children (Afzelius, Plantin, & Ostman, 2017). In addition, many parents are hesitant to reveal any information to social workers for a fear that their children may be taken from them. Training social workers on the clues and signs of children being affected by a parent’s mental illness would also be beneficial. This type of training would also make communication between agencies more

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