Mental illness in a parent/carer does not necessarily have an adverse impact on a child, but it is essential always to assess its implications for any children involved in the family.
Factors to take into consideration when assessing the impact on the child of a parent/carer with mental health problems are:
- Parents/carers may neglect their own physical, emotional and social needs reducing their
- capacity to parent the child
- Parents/carers may neglect the child’s physical, emotional and social needs or be unable to understand or respond to their child’s needs resulting in a risk of neglect or emotional abuse of the child
- Caring responsibilities placed on children inappropriate to their years which may impact adversely on their social and educational development
- Parental mental illness in new mothers can result in an increased risk of sudden infant death/insecure attachment/emotional and physical neglect of the baby/inconsistent parenting
- Some forms of mental illness may blunt the parent/carer’s emotions and feelings or may cause them to behave in bizarre/violent ways towards their children or their environment. In extreme circumstances a child may be at risk of profound neglect, severe injury or even death.
- A significant history of violence is a risk indicator for the child
- Parent/carer’s non compliance with services and treatment is a risk indicator for the child
- There may be other problems within the family which will increase the risk for the child such as alcohol and drug misuse or domestic violence
- Children may have their own mental health or behavioural problems such as depression and anxiety/anti social and aggressive behaviour. The prevalence of mental ill health increases in adolescence with 11% of children 11 – 16 years having a mental disorder. The volatility of this age group means that the impact of parental illness may be more intense.
- Children may feature in parent/carer’s delusions placing them at risk of significant harm
- Children may be built into parent/carer’s suicide plans
- There may be protective factors within the family such as another parent/carer or another family member/friend who will safeguard the child
- The illness may be short lived or mild with no risk for the child
It is essential the needs of any young carers are assessed to ensure they receive the support they need.
The needs of all children within the family must be addressed within the assessment of a parent/carer with mental health problems. If the assessment by the mental health practitioner establishes there are concerns for any child in the family, a referral must be made to Children’s Social Care and any subsequent assessment and planning should proceed jointly
