Information for Mental Health Workers - Specific Age-Related Information

Infants / Young Children / Primary / Adolescent / Pregnancy & Conception / Medications

1. When the person has an infant or young toddler.

• A booklet called ' The Best for Me and My Baby' has been developed for people with a mental illness who are contemplating parenthood or expecting a baby or who are parents of infants. An example Baby Care Plan mentioned in the booklet) is also downloadable.
• Support parent-child attachment and early childhood development through advice or referral to maternal & child health services.
• Discuss management of medication to enhance breast feeding and fulfillment of parenting role.
• Counsel if required regarding feelings such as anxiety, anger, fear, isolation.
• Check growth and development (eg failure to thrive may indicate the parent is psychologically unavailable to the infant).
• Provide the person with a copy of the booklet called 'The Best For Me and My Baby', developed for people with a mental illness who are contemplating parenthood, are 'expectant' parents and for parents of infants.

2. When the person has a young child/ren ( <5 years)

• Encourage parents to explain the mental illness or health problem in very simple terms to the child (resources such as picture books may assist)
• Support attachment and early childhood development through advice or referral to maternal & child health services.
• Support respite for both parent and child though child-care options. (The Child Care Access Hotline can provide information about local child-care options ph: 1800 670305).

3. When the person has a primary school aged child/ren

• Encourage parents to:
  • explain the mental illness or health problem to the child at a level they understand (see listings of age appropriate information).
  • talk to the child about their concerns and feelings relating to the parental mental illness/health problem.
• Suggest that children who are providing care for their parents may gain support from programmes for young carers (Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Ph: 1800 242 636)
• Explore the possibility of the child/young person attending a support programme for their age group (state based programs)
• Where appropriate, and especially if the child is missing school or struggling with school, encourage the parent to speak to the school or write a letter to them - see the 'Supporting Our Family' kit for a downloadable example letter for parents to write to the school

4. When the person is the parent of adolescent/s.

• Encourage parents to
  • explain the mental illness or health problem to the young person at a level they understand (see listings of age appropriate information).
  • talk to the young person about their concerns and feelings relating to the parental mental illness/health problem.
• Consider referring young people who are providing care for their parents to a care support group/service (Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Ph: 1800 242 636)
• Where appropriate, and especially if the young person is missing school or struggling with school, encourage the parent to speak to the school or write a letter to them - see the 'Supporting Our Family' kit for a downloadable example letter for parents to write to the school

5. Special Considerations: Pregnancy or plans by the person with the mental health problem to conceive.

• Support people with a mental illness who intend to have children or are currently pregnant to access early antenatal care and to prepare for the care and support of their infant/s. This may include:
  • revision of medications and their impact on pregnancy and/or breastfeeding
  • planning with the parent/s for temporary care of the infant should the parent become ill after childbirth
  • discussing strategies to assist the parent/s to gain appropriate supports (including financial if necessary) prior to the baby's birth.
• Support access to advice regarding family planning for people with a mental illness who are contemplating having a child or more children.
• A booklet called 'The Best For Me and My Baby' has been developed for people with a mental illness who are contemplating parenthood are 'expectant' parents and for parents of infants.

6. State and territory telephone services re Medications in Pregnancy and Lactation

New South Wales

Mothersafe (based at the Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick) - Ph: (02) 9382 6539

South Australia

Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation Information Service - Ph: (08) 8161 17222

Victoria

Obstetric Drugs Information - Centre Ph: (03) 9344 2277

Tasmania

Drug Information Centre - Ph:(03) 6238 8737

Western Australia

Obstetric Drug Information Service - Ph: (08) 9340 2723

Queensland

Obstetric Drug Information Service - Ph: (08) 9340 2723

Northern Territory

Drug Information Service - Ph: (08) 8922 8424

Australian Capital Territory

Drug Information Service - Ph: (02) 6244 3333

 

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