Information for General Practitioners

• Key Questions for parents/partners
• Key Questions for children (<18 yrs)
• Resources
• Background information

Children of parents with a mental illness are at increased risk of experiencing mental or physical health problems due to a combination of possible factors such as genetic inheritance, attachment difficulties, poverty, social exclusion and discrimination (See facts). Some children of parents with a mental illness will not experience difficulties as a result of their parent's ill health, others may appear resilient but in need of support, and others will be more vulnerable and in need of services. A small minority of offspring, especially infants, may be at risk of death through neglect or abuse.

A GP is in a prime position to have contact with the range of people affected by the poor mental health of a parent and to assist in:

• identifying risk factors (e.g. health and safety concerns, lack of information and/or social support)
• strengthening and supporting families and children to enhance protective factors.

Click the links above for assessment and intervention information when your patient is:

• the parent with the illness or their co-parent/partner.
• the child (under 18) of the person with the mental health problem.