In every custody case, the court makes a decision based on the best interests of the child. “[Mental illness] does have an impact on our ability to parent,” says Chaya Kulkarni , director of Infant Mental Health at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Research shows when a parent receives therapy or medication to address mental illness, children’s mental health symptoms improve as well. ... Not fun trying to protect your baby from hurting someone or herself, especially when you think of all the times when she can be so sweet. Many parents of mentally ill adult children feel that they need to care for that person, even though that person is capable of caring for themselves. You gave me the brush-off in no uncertain terms then and made it clear that they were of no interest to your organization. Parents often think other children will take care of their mentally ill child if they become incapacitated or die, Hatfield says. Mental illness, of course, can complicate things even further. It involves managing your time, having adequate resources and supporting your child. Thus, parents with mental illness often avoid seeking mental health services for fear of losing custody of their children. Be the healthiest person you can be, so you will be the best able to help your child. Parents with mental health issues should not be forced out of a child… What's more, children are at an even greater risk of developing mental illness when both parents have mental health problems. Not only can mental illness impact the outcome of your case, but court cases involving mental illness can also be more expensive.. Parental mental health is very important to the overall well-being of the children. Children crave love, affection, attention, stability, and guidance, and untreated mental illness can interfere with your ability to provide those—despite your best efforts. Some siblings don't want to get involved. One of the hardest questions, especially as a parent, needs to ask themselves is am I enabling this person. Mental illness and child custody cases are a fairly common part of the divorce process for many couples. Best Interest of the Child. So, if you or your partner have a mental health problem, get treatment. It serves no one’s interests if you become unable to deal with your own life. Does NAMI offer support groups or therapy to the minor children of a mentally ill parent in 2018? When a child's mother is mentally ill, it is natural to explore a father's child custody rights with the mental illness in mind. Some mentally ill people are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, but negotiating these programs can be difficult. You are not the only parent dealing with the challenge of parenting an adult child with a mental health issue. Virden insists that adult children of mentally ill parents don’t have to live in constant fear of repeating the past, even with a similar mental health diagnosis. I’m sure all parents of mentally ill children can. Or are they still out in the cold, the way they were when I needed help for my kids 10 years ago? But, she adds, "this often isn't the case. Also, you need to be honest with yourself. If you need your own counseling to deal with your child – get it. When a Parent Has a Mental Illness: Child Custody Issues Some state laws cite mental illness as a condition that can lead to loss of custody or parental rights.