Helping children whose parent has mental illness This paper has been written to provide help for adults who are assisting children to cope with a parent who has a mental illness. As explained below there is a lack of information, and it is hoped that this paper can be updated with more information as soon as possible. This paper may provide some assistance to adults to understand what the children may be experiencing recommended material for children reference to related information e.g. for young carers in general (not just related to mental health) reference to research papers. Most of the information has come from English-speaking countries. Through EUFAMI (the European Federation of Associations of Families of Mentally Ill People), we also have examples of good practice from Western Europe. This paper does not address the mental health of children. The charity 'Young Minds' has a number of publications which are useful on this topic. The paper does not deal with the relationship from the point of view of the mentally ill person. Programmes to help children NSF(Scotland) does not currently have a programme to support children. We are aware of initiatives in several other European countries: Netherlands - support to children is given through 200 health workers throughout the country. The voluntary organisation Labryint/In perspectief provides support through informal groups. Finland - the association OMAISET has been running a project called 'the Child as Relative'. "For a child to carry around family secrets and experience a sense of shame is too heavy a burden". Sweden - in Stockholm, the association RIKS-IFS has a pilot run group activity for children with a mentally-ill parent. Understanding the Child's experience The leaflet When a parent has mental illness: helping children to cope(7) is essential reading. Two books published in 1999 may provide some useful insight: Daughter of the Queen of Sheba by Jacki Lyden, who describes her life as a child when her mother experienced manic depression, and Last Truth, a novel by Jenny Offill, which describes a child watching her mother experiencing a mental breakdown. One of our members recommends the film For the Love of Aaron, made in USA 1994. Material for Children Material for children of any age is limited. For younger children there is a story book(6) and a booklet on mental illness in general for teenagers(5) both produced by the Manic Depression Fellowship. The Carers National Association has a very useful 'power pack' (1) to guide young carers and this is also recommended. We are seeking good examples of material from elsewhere in Europe and would welcome recommendations from our members and friends on books and other material (videos, games) they have found useful for children. Related and research information A paper by Lorraine Keith(3) provides an overview of the situation for young carers. There has been recent government recognition of the scale of the problem (5000 young carers in Scotland alone). The Carers National Association has published information for young carers in general. There is some research information available about young carers: One paper(4) examines their coping skills, needs, and strengths and makes recommendations to professionals on how to assist children. Another paper(2) identifies the support provided by relatives (especially grandparents and aunts) and the recommendations include the need to include the extended family in rehabilitation and education. References Carers National Association, (undated), 'Young Carers information power pack' Aimed at 12 to 18 year old children. £3.50 (free to young carers). Carers National Association Scotland, 91 Mitchell Street, Glasgow, G1 2LN Tel 0141 221 9141 Caton, Carol et al, (1998), 'Childhood experiences and current adjustment of offspring of indigent patients with Schizophrenia' Psychiatric Services January 1998 Volume 49 No.1 Keith, Lorraine (1999) 'Young Carers - Still Waiting?' Kinsella, Karen et al, (1996), 'Coping skills, strengths and needs as perceived by adult offspring and siblings of people with mental illness- a retrospective study'' Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal Autumn 1996 volume 20 Number 2 Manic Depression Fellowship Wales (1997) Mental Illness - does it blow your mind Manic Depression Fellowship, Scotland, (no date), Rosie's Mum A story for younger children £1.50 MDF Scotland, 7 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow G2 7UL Tel 0141 331 0344 World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (1999) 'When a parent has mental illness: helping children to cope'

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