GEMS

'Gateways to Evidence that MatterS' (GEMS)

Aim of GEMS

The aim of the 'Gateways to Evidence that MatterS' (GEMS) is to provide a summary of recent Australian and international research concerning children (aged 0-18 years) of parents with a mental illness, their parents and families. While research in this area is growing, there is a lack of evidence-based practice when working with families affected by parental mental illness.

These GEMS have been prepared as a resource for those working in the field, and aim to provide a synthesis of available research that might guide and direct practitioners, and highlight current research and practice gaps.

GEMS promotes the collection, interpretation and integration of valid, recent and relevant research from around the world, based on the views and experiences of those researching, working and living with parental mental illness.

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View Published GEMS

We are excited to offer to you these GEMS and hope that they will be useful for you in your area. We hope that you find these GEMS interesting and compelling. We also encourage you to share these GEMS with others, and to consider submitting one of your own.

However, before you start work on a possible GEMS please examine the contributor guidelines and contact the editors at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your proposal.

Published GEMS

• Edition 1 (July 2008) The importance of being child and family focused
• Edition 2 (September 2008) Children who care for parents with mental illness: A UK respective
• Edition 3 (December 2008) Children of parents with mental illness and their family relationships
• Edition 4 (March 2009) Children of parents with dual diagnosis
• Edition 5 (May 2009) When a parent is hospitalised: the impact on children
• Edition 6 (August 2009) Issues for mental health workers when working with children and parents
• Edition 7 (December 2009) Pre-school children in families with parental mental illness
• Edition 8 (February 2010) Ulysses Agreements in supporting families affected by parental mental illness
• Edition 9 (April 2010) Grandparents parenting grandchildren when parents have a mental illness
• Edition 10 (October 2010) Keeping the infant in mind in the presence of maternal mental illness
• Edition 11 (October 2011) Sibling relationships in children of depressed parents
• Edition 12 (March 2012) Talking to children about parental mental illness

Want to contribute your own GEMS article?

See Guidelines for potential contributors to GEMS.