“Knowledge is Power”: Educating Children About Their Parent's Mental Illness

Abstract

Given the prevalence and associated vulnerabilities of children of parents with a mental illness (COPMI) it is essential to develop appropriate interventions. While education is an important component in many interventions, little is known about what topics are covered, delivery mode, and the efficacy in meeting the needs of this target group. Eighteen facilitators responsible for delivering COPMI programs across Australia were interviewed, fifteen of whom include education about mental illness in their treatment programs. According to program facilitators, education about mental health was important because they believed that knowledge equates to power, and can be cathartic. Education chiefly consisted of signs, symptoms, and treatments of various mental illnesses. The dominant mode of delivery was small and large group discussion. When delivering education, there was some consideration for children's ages. However, there was less differentiation in programs according to the diagnosis of parents' mental illness. Clinical and research implications conclude the article.

KEYWORDS:

• parental mental illness
• children
• education

We acknowledge the financial and administrative support of the COPMI National Office, in particular Elizabeth Fudge. We also acknowledge the support of Melinda Goodyear, Sharron Streer, and Amanda Shepherd, the research assistants involved in this project. Finally, we are thankful for the time and support given to us by the program facilitators involved in this project, from across Australia.