Intervention programs for children whose parents have a mental illness: a review

The Impact of Various Parental Mental Disorders on Children’s Diagnoses: A Systematic Review

“…In many countries, preventive interventions are offered to children, of parents with all kinds of mental disorders, who are treated as a homogeneous group. Those interventions, including educational materials, individual psycho-education, peer support groups, discussion groups, and web-based programs, aim to reduce shared risk factors and increase general positive determinants impacting on child and family well-being (Reupert et al 2012;Solantaus and Toikka 2006;Van Doesum and Hosman 2009). Similar concerns and needs are addressed, such as increased knowledge about the parental illness, coping with stigma, enhanced resilience and coping skills, peer support, and respite from care responsibilities.…”

The Perspectives of Young People of Parents with a Mental Illness Regarding Preferred Interventions and Supports

“…As the evidence for these interventions is still emerging (Reupert et al 2012a) it is difficult to be definitive about what should or should not be offered to this group of young people. Additionally, it is unclear whether or how young people are engaged in the development, design and evaluation of such interventions.…”

“…These children are at a higher risk of developing behavioural, developmental, and emotional difficulties, compared to other children in the community (Reupert et al 2012a). Specific outcomes include high dropout rates at school (Farahati et al 2003), a high likelihood of being taken into care (Leschied et al 2005) and a risk of developing a substance abuse disorder (Mowbray and Oyserman 2003).…”

Children of mentally ill or addicted parents participating in preventive support groups

“…During the last decade, other countries (e.g. Australia, Scandinavian countries, the USA, Belgium and the UK) have also started to offer these support groups (Reupert et al, 2012).…”