Early Childhood · Primary School Aged Children and Adolescents

When I'm speaking to a child (under 18) of the person with the mental health problem

The four key areas to remember are:
identification of risk factors (for parent and child)
protection from harm for the child
care of the family (parent/s, child/ren and others)
information (for the child/ren and their care-givers)

Early Childhood

For any child, but particularly for children who are yet to commence school the main thing to remember is to ask them how they are feeling about what is happening/has happened.

However, many conclusions about safety, growth and development will need to be based on observation of very young children or checking with caregivers (see examples below);

Safety: Failure to thrive, regression to immature behaviour for age and/or poor growth and development for age (eg lack of language development) and/or no sign of distress or protest when the young child is separated from the parent may indicate rejection, neglect or abuse.

Social participation: Check if the child has any opportunities to play and mix with others. Are there any barriers to attendance at playgroup, childcare etc.? (eg transport, cost, lack of parental motivation/energy to get them there, parental concern that placing their child in child care may be seen as a sign of weakness or inability to cope, cultural factors)

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Primary School Aged Children and Adolescents

IDENTIFICATION of RISK FACTORS (and possible responses)

Ask about caring responsibilities (eg Are they having to do more around the house than others their age because of their parent being unwell? Do they take responsibility for their parent's medication regime?)

Consider referring children who are providing care for their parents to a young carer support group (Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Ph: 1800 242 636)

Ask about safety (eg If they have felt unsafe/scared in the past - do they have a plan now for what to do if it happens again or to prevent it reoccurring?)

Help the child develop a safety plan or suggest to care-giver/s that they develop a plan with the child.

Ask about school attendance (eg Do they ever miss school because they are looking after their parent or tired when, for example, their parent has had a 'bad night'?)

You may be able to support the child/young person to negotiate school support (eg via a letter to the Principal).

What are their information needs? Check with the parent first for permission to discuss the illness with the child/young person. (Eg Do they understand what mental health problem/s their parent has?)

Ask them to describe their parent's mental health problem as they see it and then correct any misconceptions.

What are their socialisation needs? (eg are they involved in any activities outside of school or home? Do they have any friends?)

Some states run camps and other programmes for children and young people who have parents with a mental illness. (Check for information about your state/territory)

Check if the child has any 'significant adults' (other than their parent with the mental illness) who they can trust.

Are they concerned about what might happen to them if their parent becomes unwell again or has to be hospitalised?

Suggest that the child and family make a plan for times when their parent may be unwell or hospitalised - see the 'Supporting Our Family' kit for a downloadable example plan. This may include planned care or respite care options.

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PROTECTION

If you have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child as a result of the parental mental health problem and/or of any treatment approaches contact your local child protection service.

INFORMATION

With parental permission invite the child to ask questions about the mental health problem or illness and respond at a level they can understand. Assist them to access age-appropriate information.

As the child passes through different developmental stages remember to check their information needs.

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