Developing resilient children and families when parents have mental illness: A family‐focused approach

Abstract

There is substantial evidence supporting the need for effective intervention for children and families living with parental mental illness. However, translation of this knowledge into mental health workforce practice remains variable, with a range of clinical practices and models of care evident. Nurses, who constitute the majority of the mental health workforce, are in prime positions to support children and families and provide preventative measures, identify those at risk, and intervene early. In this paper, we provide a framework for practice for nurses working with consumer parents. We contend that traditional models of nursing practice concentrating on the consumer are insufficient in meeting the needs of children and families living with parental mental illness. A focus on families needs to be core business for mental health nurses. A family-focused approach can be used to prevent problems for children and their families, and identify their strengths as well as vulnerabilities. Family-focused care is a useful framework from which to support families and address the challenges that might arise from parental mental illness, and to build individual and family resilience.

Differences Between Irish and Australian Psychiatric Nurses' Family-Focused Practice in Adult Mental Health Services

“…They are the largest staff group involved in the provision of mental health care and are often the first point of contact for parents who are receiving treatment in adult mental health services (Foster et al 2012). In Ireland, the Nursing and Midwifery…”

“…Foster et al (2012) and others (Goodyear et al 2015;Stanbridge & Durbach 2007) recommend a continuum of family focused activities for mental health professionals when working with service users who are parents. At minimum, mental health professionals, including psychiatric nurses, should establish the parenting status of service users, ascertain the number and age of children and encourage parents to discuss their family and parenting role during treatment.…”

“…6), in Australia, psychiatric nurses are "among the few groups of health professionals who have direct, frequent, and sustained contact with consumers and families". The role of psychiatric nurses allows them to form sustained relationship with parents at a time when parents are likely to be experiencing most difficulties in parenting due to the acute nature of their illness (Foster et al 2012) which means they "are in a unique position to evaluate the situation of …children before problems arise" (Korhonen et al 2010, p. 65).…”

“…As a result of improved treatment and policy, individuals with a mental illness are more likely than previously to assume a parenting role (Foster et al 2012Nicholson, 2014.…”

Uklare rammer gjør det vanskelig å ivareta barn som pårørende

“…De potensielt mange og alvorlige skadevirkningene vi ser hos barn som har levd med psykisk syke og rusmisbrukende foreldre (1), gjør det avgjørende å få flere av disse barna til å delta i forebyggende intervensjoner (14,(30)(31)(32). I de senere årene er det etablert en rekke hjelpeprogrammer og tilbud rettet mot barn som pårørende av psykisk syke og rusmisbrukende foreldre.…”