Bibliography

Children of parents with a mental illness or intellectual disability

Alakus, Carmel; Conwell, Rebecca.
Parents with a mental illness: responding effectively to their needs.
In: Kellehear, Kevin et al, eds. Harvesting hope: across the lifespan: book of proceedings, 14th Annual TheMHS Conference, 5th AICAFMHA Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, 1 - 3 September 2004. Balmain, NSW: Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, 2005, p90-95

Parents with a mental illness may feel extreme isolation and may avoid services fearing their children could be removed from their care. The Collaborative Therapy Unit in Melbourne is working on a pilot program for parents with children aged of 0-5 years. The project aims to encourage consumers to develop skills that assist them as parents to manage having a mental illness and parenting a child. Essential to the development of this parenting program is the collaboration between mental health and other services to establish and problem solve needs for services and consumers. This material is then used to develop, implement, and evaluate training, group work or one to one packages, which these services can continue using once the evaluation is completed. Consumers are actively involved at the outset in their own care and the care of their child with the use of a collaborative therapy journal. (Author abstract)

Available from: The Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand http://www.themhs.org

Allchin, Becca; Guorgi, George; Jeffs, Sandy.
The importance of the lived experience in educating primary school communities about mental health and illness.
In: Kellehear, Kevin et al, eds. Harvesting hope: across the lifespan: book of proceedings, 14th Annual TheMHS Conference, 5th AICAFMHA Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, 1 - 3 September 2004. Balmain, NSW: Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, 2005, p96-101

This presentation aims to provide participants with a clear understanding of the critical, and sometimes unanticipated, role the lived experience has in mental health / illness promotion to teachers and students in primary schools. The presentation describes an innovative project Supporting Kids in Primary Schools, or SKIPS, which has two key objectives: to discuss the role of primary schools and teachers in supporting children and families affected by the mental illness of a parent; to reduce prejudice about mental illness through classroom education about mental health and illness with grades 5 and 6 students. Critical parts of the project involve people relating their lived experience with mental illness. In the classroom a person with a mental illness relates their life experiences to the students. In the staffroom, an adult who as a child lived with a parent with a mental illness presents to the teachers. These sessions have a profound impact and are the catalyst for attitude change both in the staff room and the classroom, leading to breaking the silence about mental illness. This presentation will show that the successful nature of SKIPS has at its core sharing the lived experience. (Author abstract)

Available from: The Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand http://www.themhs.org

Allen, Janet.
Permanent placement of children of parents with mental illness.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p131-147

The following difficulties exist when placing children of parents with a mental illness in out of home care: it is harder to find permanent placement if the child is older; prospective carers may worry that the child is at risk of developing mental illness and that the child's parents will be difficult to work with. The author considers the perspectives of permanent carers and birth parents, the recruitment of carers, contact and access visits, and support beyond placement.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association. Children of Parents With A Mental Illness (COPMI) Initiative.
Principles and actions for services and people working with children of parents with a mental illness.
Canberra, ACT: Department of Health and Ageing, 2004, 24p, and Online (PDF 261KB)
http://www.copmi.net.au/files/PrinciplesandActions_final.pdf

Some children of parents with a mental illness can face increased risks of mental health problems, neglect, behavioural, or other problems. This document discusses guiding principles and the following action areas for service providers working with children of parents with a mental illness: promoting well being and reducing risk; support for families and children; addressing grief and loss issues; access to information, education and decision making; care and protection of children; partnerships and cross agency processes; workforce development and service reorientation; and research and evaluation.

Available from: Department of Health and Ageing, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601. Internet: http://www.health.gov.au

Cato, Joan; Tallent, Ron.
Living with mental illness: who knows best, parents (carers) or professionals?
In: Robertson, Sadie et al, eds. Dancing to the beat of a different drum: book of proceedings, 15th Annual TheMHS Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, 31 August-2 September 2005. Balmain, NSW: Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, 2006, p112-114

The many years of experience in the fields of health and education of the authors, a GP and a psychologist, did not prepare them for the challenges involved in rearing their son, Patrick, and continuing to care for him as an adult. Patrick was diagnosed with severe ADHD, XYY chromosome abnormality and schizophrenia. Having Patrick in their lives has given the authors a unique dual perspective on mental health issues. The best outcomes are achieved if parents or carers and professionals work together and have respect for each other's role in caring for the individual with mental illness. (Author abstract, edited)

Available from: The Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, PO Box 192, Balmain NSW 2041

Coffey, Guy; Fromhold, Wendy.
Cultural considerations in understanding parents with mental illness and their children.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p167-190

Mental health practitioners do not have access to knowledge of the culture of all their clients. The authors suggest ways in which clinicians can identify the key cultural considerations that can help them identify how parental mental illness affects children. The authors discuss cultural dimensions of children's experience of their mentally ill parent, how to gather culturally relevant background information, how to identify the family's perspective on parental mental illness, the relevance of explanatory models of mental illness to seeking help, treatment and engagement with families and children, and the consequences of parental mental illness for children of refugee and immigrant families. Several case studies are included.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Cousins, Carolyn.
When is it serious enough? The protection of children of parents with a mental health problem, tough decisions and avoiding a 'martyred' child.
Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) v.3 no.2 Aug 2004: 8p, Online only (PDF 54K)
http://www.auseinet.com/journal/vol3iss2/cousins.pdf

This paper outlines some of the very real emotional challenges and decisions faced by mental health workers with clients who, through no fault of their own, are failing to meet the needs of their children. In particular, it focuses on the effects of long term emotional abuse and neglect due to parental mental health issues and includes discussion of some difficult concepts such as 'good enough' parenting, and what constitutes harm. The paper proposes that it is very difficult for adult mental health workers to hold in tension the needs of the adult client and the needs of their children, when sometimes these are at odds with each other. It ultimately argues for a change in service culture where the ethical and moral nature of these decisions is discussed and debated, rather than what could be seen to be an emerging culture of fear, based on recent critical incidents and unwanted media attention. (Journal abstract)

Available from: AeJAMH, Auseinet, CAMHS, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA 5042. Internet http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au

Cowling, Vicki; Cuff, Rose; Luntz, Jennifer; Verscharen, Katharina.
Peer support activities for children and young people who have a family member with a mental illness.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p193-209

Children's peer support groups are often used to help children adapt to situations beyond their control. They describe the ways such groups are used to help children and adolescents who have a parent with a mental illness. The children involved can benefit from increased emotional and social development, independence from parents and other adults, and can develop resilience. The authors describe two peer support programs in the United States, one in New South Wales, and several Champs groups that were implemented in Melbourne. The Paying Attention to Self (PATS) program is then detailed, including participants' stories, strengths, limitations, evaluation and future directions.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Cowling, Vicki; Edan, Vrinda; Cuff, Rose; Armitage, Paul; Herszberg, Dassi.
Mental health consumer and carer participation in professional education: 'Getting there together' for children of parents with mental illness and their families.
Australian Social Work v.59 no.4 Dec 2006: 406-421, tables

Getting There Together is a professional education seminar developed as a collaborative project by professionals, mental health consumers and carers aimed at service providers who work with children of parents with mental illness and their families. The need for such professional education concerning this group is well recognised and this project was initiated by a reference group of professionals, consumers and carers focusing on children of parents with mental illness in the Eastern region of Melbourne. The project began and continued as a collaborative effort during development and implementation. Seminar participants were from the family welfare, child care and supported housing sectors. Seminar participants found the first person accounts of consumers and carers the most helpful aspects of the seminars because they gave new insights into the experiences of carers and of mental health consumers as parents, as well as an understanding of '... the whole family, and how the child fits into the picture'. (Journal abstract, edited)

Available from: Australian Association of Social Workers http://www.aasw.asn.au Subscription: Taylor and Francis

Craig, Elizabeth A.
Parenting programs for women with mental illness who have young children: a review.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry v.38 no.11 - no.12 Nov - Dec 2004: 923-928

Assuming programs which are effective for the general population to be equally effective or suitable for parents with mental illness may be inappropriate. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of the literature relevant to, and describing, parenting programs for women with mental illness who have young children. The conclusion reached is that parenting skills training for women with mental illness may be a useful selective preventive intervention. It is unlikely generic programs will be suitable. Rather, interventions will need to address the commonly experienced parenting problems as well as the more specific needs of women with mental illness.

Available from: Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 309 LaTrobe Street, Melbourne Vic 3000. Internet http://www.ranzcp.org/ Subscription: Blackwell Science Asia

Darlington, Yvonne; Feeney, Judith A; Rixon, Kylie.
Interagency collaboration between child protection and mental health services: practices, attitudes and barriers.
Child Abuse & Neglect v.29 no.10 Oct 2005: 1085-1098, tables

Interagency collaboration between child protection services and mental health services in cases where there is a parent with mental illness and protection concerns for children are examined in this article. The article analyses the results of a survey of child protection and mental health workers. It reports on agency practices, worker attitudes and experiences, and barriers to effective collaboration.

Available from: International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect, 200 North Michigan Ave, Suite 500/5th Floor, Chicago IL 60601. Internet http://www.ispcan.org

Emerson, Eric; Llewellyn, Gwynnyth.
The mental health of Australian mothers and fathers of young children at risk of disability.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health v.32 no.1 Feb 2008: 53-59

Drawing on cross sectional data from Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, the aims of this study were: to investigate the relationship between risk of child disability and parental mental health in a nationally representative sample of Australian families with young children; to estimate the contribution of distress among parents of children at risk of disability to overall parental psychiatric morbidity; and, to explore the extent to which between group differences in parental mental health may be attributable to differences in exposure to other risk factors. Elevated rates of psychological distress indicative of serious mental illness were found among mothers, but not fathers of children at risk of disability. Psychological distress among mothers of children at risk of disability accounted for 23 per cent of estimated total maternal psychiatric morbidity. Approximately 50 per cent of the elevated risk of distress for mothers was accounted for by increased rates of poverty among children at risk of disability and their families, an association possibly mediated by increased exposure to adverse life events, poorer maternal health and reduced personal social capital. The study concluded that the association between risk of child disability and maternal mental health is strongly confounded by increased rates of poverty among children at risk of disability. Social and health policy responses need to focus on poverty reduction, enhancing the personal social capital of mothers living in poverty and on improving the social, emotional and behavioural development of the children. (Journal abstract, edited)

Available from: Public Health Association of Australia http://www.phaa.net.au/

Falkov, Adrian.
Talking with children whose parents experience mental illness.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p41-56

Talking to children whose parents are mentally ill can provide information, as well as help determine whether the children are ill, confused, having problems or needing support. The author discusses parents' refusal to talk about their children, some stages in the talking process, when talking should happen, approaches to managing children when a parent is hospitalised, talking at a geographic distance, who should talk, how to talk with children, what to say, explanations about mental illness, and questions to think about.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Families experiencing mental illness shouldn't cope alone: creating community partnerships and responses for at risk children and young people. Symposium.
In: Kellehear, Kevin et al, eds. Harvesting hope: across the lifespan: book of proceedings, 14th Annual TheMHS Conference, 5th AICAFMHA Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, 1 - 3 September 2004. Balmain, NSW: Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, 2005, p302-314

This symposium features 4 papers concerning services for children and young people who have a parent with a mental illness. These are: Building government, non-government and community partnerships to promote mental health, by Jane Burns, Dee Basinski; The PATS (Paying Attention To Self) Project: a peer support program for young people whose parent is affected by a mental illness, by Matt O'Brien; The urban-rural challenge: developing peer support programs for children of parents with a mental illness to meet diverse populations (VicChamps), by Rose Cuff, Kirsten Green; Research and evaluation with children and young people whose parents have a mental illness, by Darryl Mayberry, Matt O'Brien, Melinda Goodyear, Andrea Reupert.

Available from: The Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand http://www.themhs.org

Foster, Kim; O'Brien, Louise; McAllister, Margaret.
Addressing the needs of children of parents with a mental illness: current approaches.
Contemporary Nurse v.18 no.1 Dec 2004 - no.2 Jan 2005: 67-80

Children of parents with a mental illness have been identified as vulnerable to experiencing a variety of psychosocial effects arising from the impact of parental mental illness. Until recently there has been a lack of adequate service provision in Australia for these children and their families. Recent government initiatives have led to greater awareness and recognition of the needs of children whose parents have a mental illness, and key principles and actions have been developed to assist health services to adequately care for them. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the risk and protective factors that may impact on the psychosocial health of children of parents with a mental illness, and provide some strategies that nurses in a range of health settings may use to assist families where parents have a mental illness. (Journal abstract, edited)

Available from: eContent Management http://www.contemporarynurse.com

Fudge, Elizabeth; Mason, Paola.
Consulting with young people about service guidelines relating to parental mental illness.
Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) v.3 no.2 Aug 2004: 9p, Online only (PDF 59K)
http://www.auseinet.com/journal/vol3iss2/fudgemason.pdf

Information from children of parents with a mental illness was specifically sought in the development of a key document for the Australian Government regarding good practice principles and guidelines for services and people working with these young people and their families. This paper describes one of the consultation phases where young people in the 7 to 20 year age range were asked to comment, via focus groups and peer interviews, on issues raised in an early version of the document. The participants gave suggestions regarding 'family friendly' mental health facilities and services and supports that would benefit families and children affected by parental mental illness. The young people reported that additional care-giving responsibilities, communication problems (with service providers and between families), lack of appropriate practical and emotional support (for the person with the illness and for the family), the need for universal education and stigma reduction regarding mental illness were key issues affecting families where a parent has a mental illness. Similar to other studies in this area, the consultation found that supportive adults, siblings or peers, participation in activities, relevant information, 'time out', and someone to talk to were factors that helped young people to cope with their parent being unwell. (Journal abstract)

Available from: AeJAMH, Auseinet, CAMHS, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA 5042. Internet http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au

Graham, Karen; King, Robert.
Caregiving attachment in mothers with schizophrenia: theoretical issues and pilot of an empirical investigation of maternal interaction with children at bedtime.
Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) v.4 no.3 Dec 2005: 9p, Online only (PDF 60K)
http://www.auseinet.com/journal/vol4iss3/grahamking.pdf

The assessment of parenting capacity and appropriate provision of services to assist parents with mental illness requires improved understanding of how a mental illness may affect the parent-child relationship. Mothers with mental illness may be defensive when providing self report accounts of their parenting. Within the framework of attachment theory, this study developed a methodology for investigating the quality and characteristics of caregiving through exploration of the mothers' perceptions and strategies in managing her child at bedtime. Utilising questions derived from caregiving attachment research, five mothers with schizophrenia participated in a semi-structured interview concerning bedtime separation. In addition the mothers completed a modified standardised measure of attachment style, the Parent Bonding Instrument, to provide information regarding how they perceived their parenting style. The mothers demonstrated very poor understanding of their child's bedtime anxiety. They described difficulty being effective with bedtime strategies and attributed it to medication-induced fatigue. The interview data contrasted significantly with the Parent Bonding Instrument data in which the mothers did not identify concerns in themselves as caregivers. This study demonstrated the feasibility of a novel approach to gathering information regarding parenting from mothers with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Auseinet, c/- Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001. Internet http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au

Halasz, George.
How we fail to care for children of mentally ill parents: psychological revisionism in child mental health care.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p213-232

The failure to care for children of mentally ill parents can occur in a number of ways, for example: the full impact of the illness on the developing child is not recognised; the subtle early symptoms of parental illness are not acknowledged; and the current mental health crisis means that children's developmental needs and their right to be heard are not met. This chapter discusses the crisis in psychiatry; psychological revisionism; whether ADHD is a valid disorder or a manufactured illness; the parentified child, where the direction of caregiving is reversed; and intimacy, dysregulation and mental illness. A case study that looks at how early childhood influences later life is included.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Hargreaves, John; Bond, Lyndal; O'Brien, Matt; Forer, Danielle; Davies, Liz.
The PATS peer support program: prevention/early intervention for adolescents who have a parent with mental illness.
Youth Studies Australia v.27 no.1 Mar 2008: 43-51

PATS (Paying Attention to Self) is a peer support program for adolescent children of parents with a diagnosed mental illness. The program aims to promote positive mental health, reduce the likelihood of mental health difficulties, increase young people's coping skills and empower them to meet their own and their families' needs. PATS combines peer support, group work, high levels of youth participation, a wide range of ongoing activities, and opportunities to develop useful life skills with lots of fun along the way. Central to the success of PATS is the belief that programs shaped by young people, for young people, will be attractive to young people. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies, http://www.acys.info/

Hegarty, Michelle.
Supporting children affected by parental dual diagnosis: mental illness and substance abuse: a collaborative mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative.
Auseinetter no.25 Dec 2005: 21-26, and Online (whole issue PDF 2.2MB)
http://www.auseinet.com/resources/auseinet/netter25/auseinetter_25.pdf

The National Illicit Drug Strategy Dual Diagnosis project aims to improve identification of and support for parents affected by mental illness and substance abuse, and reduce risks to children and young people who are affected by parental dual diagnosis. This article discusses: access to services for people with a dual diagnosis; the complex needs of families affected by dual diagnosis; the impact of dual diagnosis symptoms on parenting and on children; child protection; and resilience, risk and protective factors. It identifies needs for families experiencing dual diagnosis, integrated service delivery, information for children, parents and carers, training for service providers, and practice guidelines and assessment tools.

Available from: Auseinet, CAMHS, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA 5042. Email auseinet@flinders.edu.au. Internet http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au

Humphreys, Cathy.
Women's mental health, family violence and the interface with children's services.
In: Towards Better Practice Conference: Enhancing Collaboration Between Women's Domestic Violence Services and Mental Health Services. Sydney, NSW: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2007, 21p, Online (Powerpoint presentation in PDF format 236KB)
http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/Conference%20papers/Towards BetterPractice/Humphreys_TBP%20conference.pdf

A recent survey in Victoria found that 73% of substantiated child protection cases involved adult problems such as domestic violence, substance abuse or mental illness. Yet child protection services and adult services do not consider their clients' other roles as members of a family and the impact this has. This presentation highlights the need for more coordination between services and recognition of the connection between mothers and children's emotional wellbeing. The presentation outlines the rigid specialisation of services, the effect on children of witnessing family violence, the connection between mothers and children's emotional wellbeing, the role of the perpetrator, sleep deprivation as a tactic of abuse, child protection notifications and domestic violence, and service needs.

Available from: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, School of Social Work, University of New South Wales http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/

Leach, Greer.
Kidztalk: a group of children whose parents suffer from mental illness.
Developing Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal no.13 Winter 2005: 31-35

Research shows that there is a lack of support services for children of parents who suffer from mental health issues. Kidztalk is a program specifically designed for such children who are also living in disadvantaged communities. This article discusses the program's objectives, the strategies used to achieve these objectives, the content of the program, and some of the outcomes of the program.

Available from: Association of Childrens Welfare Agencies, Locked Bag 13, Haymarket NSW 1240. Email acwa@acwa.asn.au. Internet http://www.acwa.asn.au/

Littlefield, Lyn.
Towards a comprehensive national early intervention program for children with mental health problems.
Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) v.7 no.1 Mar 2008: 5p, Online (PDF 57KB)
http://www.auseinet.com/journal/vol7iss1/littlefieldeditorial.pdf

This guest editorial draws attention to the high prevalence of mental health problems among children and adolescents in Australia, and introduces KidsMatter, an early intervention and identification initiative that could assist. KidsMatter is based on the 'Exploring Together Program', which was developed in 1986 for primary school-aged children with early signs of mental health problems. That model has subsequently been adapted for other target groups, including preschool children, parents, and Indigenous children, and the evaluations have found these programs to be effective. KidsMatter aims to strengthen protective factors and identify risk factors in the primary school setting, and is a government and private collaborative initiative. The author describes the framework and components of KidsMatter, and the forthcoming trial and evaluation.

Available from: AeJAMH, Auseinet http://www.auseinet.com/journal/

Lynch, Marell; Grimwade, Jolyon.
Listening to the child and structuring a future for children placed in out-of-home care who have a parent with a mental health issue: the Royal Children's Hospital Stargate program.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p119-129

Children of parents with mental illness have interpersonal, social and moral concerns. The authors present techniques used by the Royal Children's Hospital's Stargate program to determine the needs, strengths and worries of children entering out of home care for the first time. They use the story of a fictional young girl whose mother has a mental illness to illustrate how the program works.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Martin, Graham; Kay, Tracey.
On adolescence and having a parent with mental illness.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p57-71

Mental health professionals are not taught to always take the family system into account. The authors present a detailed case study of a family of two parents and three children in which the mother had a mental illness. The mother received medical care but the eldest son was left to be the principal carer of his siblings when he was barely an adolescent. The authors state that adolescents with mentally ill parents are at increased risk for a range of adverse outcomes. They argue that more effort must be put into prevention measures for these children.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Maybery, Darryl; Reupert, Andrea; Patrick, Kent; Goodyear, Melinda; Crase, Lin.
Children at risk in families affected by parental mental illness.
Melbourne, Vic: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit, 2005, 32p, Online (PDF 259K)
http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/assets/contentFiles/Research_Report_COPMI.pdf

The report outlines the findings of research commissioned by VicHealth to determine the extent and distribution of children and young people whose parents have a mental illness. It says that policy and service delivery to children of parents with a mental illness is often based upon the premise that risks to children are equivalent. It proposes that children living in disparate family circumstances are exposed to varied levels of risk. Population estimates of children living at moderate to extreme levels of risk are proposed according to the level of parental mental illness disability and number of parents in the household. Two approaches are used to triangulate estimates: a top down population approach employing Australian Bureau of Statistics data and a bottom up, actual service usage (Victorian Mental Health) assessment. Implications for policy and service delivery are outlined.

Available from: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/

New South Wales. Department of Community Services.
Dual diagnosis support kit: working with families affected by both mental illness and substance misuse.
Ashfield, NSW: Department of Community Services, 2005, 5v., 1 booklet, 1 card, illus., and Online
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCS/STANDARD/PC_100864.htm

Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe when a person is affected by both mental illness and substance misuse. The NSW Department of Community Services has developed this kit to help workers and families where there is parental dual diagnosis. The books and resources in the kit are intended to help workers, carers and parents introduce the issues of parental dual diagnosis and explore concerns that children or family members may have. It provides positive strategies for coping with dual diagnosis, as well as contacts for help and support. These resources are not intended to replace the professional assessment or health care provided by qualified health professionals.

Available from: NSW Department of Community Services http://www.community.nsw.gov.au

Quadrio, Carolyn.
Family law and children with mentally ill parents.
In: Hanlon, P. et al, eds. Reach out, connect: contemporary TheMHS in mental health service: book of proceedings, 16th Annual TheMHS Conference, Townsville, Queensland. Balmain, NSW: Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, 2007, p258-263

This paper examines issues involved in assessing families going through the family court in cases of disputed child residence where one or both parents have a mental illness. The paper addresses situations where the mental status of the parent may not relate simply to parenting capacity. It also looks at the dilemma between the role of the therapist or advocate for the parent versus child protection issues when a treating clinician is asked to report on a parent. Lastly, the paper considers the extreme vulnerability of these children, who are coping with the trauma and distress of family breakdown, the legal process, and the ongoing difficulties of having one or two parents with mental illness. (Author abstract, edited)

Available from: The Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, PO Box 192, Balmain NSW 2041

Russell, Sonia.
Issues relating to long-term, out-of-home care for children of parents with a mental illness.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p149-164

The child welfare system faces several dilemmas in meeting the short and long term needs of families and children where a parent has a mental illness. The author looks at the historical context of out of home care and outlines the principles of permanency planning. She discusses issues in planning for the long term care of children of parents with mental illness, including legal issues, diagnosis, contact and the rights of parents. She examines the evidence and theory on the psychological needs of children, realistic expectations of the child welfare system, and future directions.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Sheehan, Rosemary; Levine, Greg.
Parents with mental illness: decision-making in Australian children's court cases involving parents with mental health problems.
Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law v.27 no.1 Mar 2005: 17-30, tables

This 2002 study, undertaken in the Melbourne Children's Court, examined the extent to which the children of parents with mental health problems are involved in child protection matters, the contribution by mental health professionals to resolving these child welfare concerns, and the difficulties that confront the court in deciding these matters. This article considers the intersection between child protection and mental health and discusses the study findings in relation to child protection concerns and parental mental health concerns. It presents a case study and then considers the following: the need for a mental health contribution to the legal context and developing more flexible responses from law and welfare.

Available from: Taylor & Francis

Shipp, Jodie.
Funkey connections: building resilience in children of parents with mental health issues.
In: Hanlon, P. et al, eds. Reach out, connect: contemporary TheMHS in mental health service: book of proceedings, 16th Annual TheMHS Conference, Townsville, Queensland. Balmain, NSW: Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, 2007, p302-305

For a number of years programs to support children of parents with mental health issues have been developed throughout the Western world. These programs have each had their own challenges and successes, but many have relied on a pool of metropolitan resources, such as project officers to run the programs, accessible distances and pubic amenities. This paper outlines the efforts of a small team in New South Wales to create connections strong enough to have long lasting support for a deserving group of young people. It discusses the unique challenges of supporting people in remote townships, the importance of creating partnerships and the impact of the program on the lives of the young people and their families. (Author abstract, edited)

Available from: The Mental Health Services Conference Inc. of Australia and New Zealand, PO Box 192, Balmain NSW 2041

Victoria. Department of Human Services.
Families and mental health: a parenting resource kit.
Melbourne, Vic: Department of Human Services, 2007, 35p + 2 booklets, 2 leaflets, 1 poster

This parenting resource kit is designed as a practical resource for families with a parent who has a mental illness, to help parents meet the daily challenges of parenting. It provides information about parenting, support services and other resources. The accompanying booklets are: ' The best for me and my baby', which focuses on managing mental health during pregnancy and early parenthood; and, 'Family talk', which provides tips and information in an accessible form and includes the stories of parents who have experienced a mental illness and their children.

Available from: Department of Human Services http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/

Williams, Anne Sved.
Infants of mothers with mental illness.
In: Cowling, Vicki, ed. Children of parents with mental illness 2: personal and clinical perspectives. Canberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2004, p17-40

Parents with a mental illness may experience a domino effect, where the illness can affect employment, financial stability and lack of support, which can then affect their ability to parent. The author looks at different types of mental illness, environmental effects on infant brain and personality development, mothers as principal caring parents, and attachment. She then discusses the potential effects on parenting of the following mental illnesses: schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder; bipolar mood disorder; depression; substance abuse; and borderline personality disorder. She looks at care options for infants and their mothers, including assessment, treatments and therapies, preventive interventions, partner role and policies.

Available from: Australian Council for Educational Research, Private Bag 55, Camberwell Vic 3124. Internet http://www.acer.edu.au/

Back to Top

Return to Bibliographies Menu