Search

Let's Talk About Children is a manualised intervention for parents with a mental illness that aims to impact positively on family dynamics. Previous evaluations focused on parents with an affective disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intervention for parents with various mental illnesses and explore parents' self-reported views regarding the impact of the intervention. A quasi-experimental approach was employed to compare outcomes for parents who received Let's Talk About Children plus treatment as usual ( n  = 20) with a wait list control (treatment as usual) group ( n  = 19), using family functioning and parenting stress questionnaires. Questionnaires were completed 2 weeks prior to receiving the intervention and 4 to 6 weeks after the final session. The wait list parents completed the same questionnaires at two time periods, 6 weeks apart. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after the intervention. Both intervention and control groups showed improvements in parenting and family functioning. Interview data highlighted (1) increased insight, (2) normalising of the illness in the family, (3) family communication changes, (4) the importance of supporting the parenting role and (5) suggestions for additional supports. There are possible issues regarding the influence of psycho-education when giving participants information about the nature of the research.

This article outlines the development of practice standards for the adult mental health workforce for addressing the needs of families where a parent has a mental illness (FaPMI). The practice standards recommended here were formulated using a modified cooperative inquiry process with a group of senior clinical leaders in adult mental health services in Australia, following consultation with the available literature and policy documents. The aim of the project was to generate, align, and operationalize family-inclusive practice standards within the core activities of the adult mental health workforce and integrate into the continuum of care and recovery for service users who are parents of dependent children. As part of a modified Delphi method, the standards were also ranked by the senior clinical leaders to determine what they believe to be essential and recommended practices for the adult mental health workforce they manage. We argue that developing practice standards that provide practical and realistic expectations of the adult mental health service workforce enable services and workers to better adapt practice to respond to FaPMI., (© 2015 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.)

Early interventions for children whose parents have a mental illness, comprising the provision of age-appropriate information about mental health, positive coping strategies, and meaningful social and emotional connections, are identified as preventive interventions for childhood health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CHAMPS (Children and Mentally Ill Parents) peer support program that is designed to connect, support and educate this cohort of children and their parents/carers. The CHAMPS program was reviewed and co-designed by clinicians, parent participants, peer workers and children in 2017 and 2019. The revised modularised program incorporates peer facilitators and shared lived experience as a way for participants to build understanding of their own experiences and strategies for coping. Children, parent/carers and program facilitators were interviewed for this study. This paper presents findings from interviews conducted with 8- to 12-year-old children (N = 20) who completed CHAMPS; parents/carers (N = 17) and program facilitators (N = 10). Children reported that the program lessened isolation and feelings of self-blame for their parents' struggles; and parents reported benefits from supported communication with their children in explaining their diagnosis and in understanding the needs of their child. It was concluded that early intervention peer support programs for children can have multiple positive impacts on the family, highlighting the importance of psychoeducation and improved family communication, as well as connections to peers for supporting families where parents have a mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is strong evidence supporting the benefits of family work, for both parents and children, in the treatment of parental mental illness. However, there has been only limited research on the implementation of family work in settings outside the mental health sector, such as family therapy or family counselling services, where mental illness may not be the primary presenting issue for a family. This article reports on a qualitative study that explored the experiences of family therapists working with families affected by parental mental illness. The article focuses on dilemmas clinicians faced integrating discussions about parental mental illness into family sessions. The findings support the need for clinicians to have appropriate training in family work related to mental health issues and also to develop the skill set needed to actively introduce, negotiate and explore the topic of mental illness with families. Practitioners points: Developing knowledge, language and confidence in talking about mental illness may assist clinicians to raise discussions about parental mental illness in family sessions.Training in evidence‐based interventions for working with children of parents with a mental illness may provide a tool for clinicians in family sessions.Clinicians must be attuned to the ‘emotional readiness’ of parents and children to discuss parental mental illness. Developing readiness may take time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Method Results Discussion This study aimed to investigate the benefits and difficulties with providing online peer support services for children with a family member experiencing mental health challenges.Using a qualitative descriptive design, the perspectives were gathered of Australian children and young people with a family member experiencing mental health challenges and had participated in online peer support activities during the COVID-19 restrictions of 2020 and 2021. Five age-differentiated focus groups were held with participants aged between 8 and 24 years (N = 32), and interviews were held with youth peer leaders (N = 3) and program facilitators (N = 6).This paper presents seven themes generated from the qualitative data. The themes captured the benefits of an online setting such as enabling greater accessibility, participation and comfort. Juxtaposed with this, themes also captured challenges such as the unease and risks of participating online, as well as the perspective that in-person activities facilitated stronger and quicker connections.It was concluded that a blended model of online and in-person support services is likely to be valuable for children with a family member experiencing mental health challenges to ensure accessibility and provide the capacity to meet the varied needs of this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]