The impact of parental bipolar affective disorder on adolescent behaviour – positive messages to young people, parents, teachers and other professionals working with children whose parents suffer from mental health problems

Abstract

The impact of parental mental health difficulties on the developing child is well evidenced and documented. In this article Kate Olliver‐Kneafsey, Ev Thornton and Wendy Williamson suggest that despite the difficulties young people face when parental mental illness is a feature of family life, it is not all gloom and doom, and give some important positive messages for parents, teachers and other children’s practitioners.

Keywords:

• parental mental health difficulties
• young people
• interventions