When Your Parent has a Mental Illness

The Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) national initiative, Australia

Related to Anxiety, Bullying, Depression, Eating and body image, Parental mental illness, Temperament, behaviour, attention and conduct difficulties

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This section of the website includes information for children and young people about their parents’ mental illness and their symptoms, and how they can get help if needed.

It includes specific information on the following topics:

‘About mental illness’
‘Different types of mental illness’
‘Why does my parent have a mental illness?’
‘Will my parent get better?’
‘Getting help’
‘Advice from other young people’
‘When you’re at school’
‘Are you a young carer?’

Discover more resources

Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: October 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This October 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: September 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This September 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Short article

Climate change-related worry in children and young people: What does the research evidence say?

Anagha Joshi, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This article describes the research evidence about climate change-related worry in children and young people.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: August 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This August 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: July 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This July 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Fact sheet

Families standing up to shame and stigma by making home a safe haven

Emerging Minds

There are many ways we can respond to shame and stigma. The families we talked to share their ideas for making home a safe haven.
Fact sheet

Getting to know where shame comes from

Emerging Minds

In this resource we take a look at what shame is, where it can come from and how it can trick us into believing that there is something wrong with us.
Fact sheet

Practitioner guide: Shame and stigma

Emerging Minds

A guide for practitioners on using our shame and stigma resources to support the families they work with.
Fact sheet

Families standing up to shame and stigma by responding directly – on our own or with help

Emerging Minds

Read the stories of families standing up to shame and stigma by responding directly - on their own or with the support of others - when it feels safe to do so.
Fact sheet

Talking to your child’s educator: Tips for having difficult conversations

Emerging Minds

This guide was developed by families for parents or carers who want to talk about their children’s wellbeing to educators.
Fact sheet

Families standing up to shame and stigma

Emerging Minds

Families and children are always standing up to shame and stigma. This resource shares stories of the ways families have responded to shame and stigma.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: June 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This June 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.

When Your Parent has a Mental Illness

The Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) national initiative, Australia

Discover more resources

Highlights in child mental health research: October 2024

Highlights in child mental health research: September 2024

Climate change-related worry in children and young people: What does the research evidence say?

Highlights in child mental health research: August 2024

Highlights in child mental health research: July 2024

Families standing up to shame and stigma by making home a safe haven

Getting to know where shame comes from

Practitioner guide: Shame and stigma

Families standing up to shame and stigma by responding directly – on our own or with help

Talking to your child’s educator: Tips for having difficult conversations

Families standing up to shame and stigma

Highlights in child mental health research: June 2024

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