Mental HealthMental Illness

Four Ways to Parent Healthy in the Midst of Mental Illness

19668899_sBeing a parent requires a lot of energy and attention. While there are days that this can be challenging for anybody, moms and dads living with a mental health issue may particularly struggle with the responsibilities of parenthood because of the demands of their own health condition. According to Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D., clinical and research psychologist, chronic illness of any kind, whether it is physical or mental can make it difficult to function.

As with any ailment, however, taking a proactive approach can help minimize disruptions to normal life. According to a recent article posted online by Psych Central  it is possible to parent in a healthy manner despite mental illness. Here’s how:

  1. Reach out to others. Having a mental illness can bring on feelings of loneliness and isolation, which isn’t in the best interest of parents or children. Reach out to others you can trust who empathize with your situation and who are willing to support you in making positive decisions. People in your support network might include family members, friends, pastors, mental health counselors, or teachers.

  2. Seek treatment. Happy parents make for happy children. Getting help with mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and will show your children that you are willing to do what it takes to make the best choices for your family. It’s important for kids to see their parents model healthy behavior.

  3. Take a family approach. Mental health issues don’t just affect the parent – they impact the entire family. Additionally, children of parents with mental health disorders are also at risk of developing mental health conditions themselves, so it’s wise to be vigilant regarding red flags. Research shows that having a parent with mental illness can increase the chances of disordered mental health in children by as much as 50 percent.

  4. Prepare an emergency plan. In the event that a crisis occurs, it’s imperative to have an action plan in place regarding “what happens next.” Spelling out details such as who will watch your kids and how they will arrive at school is a brave and responsible thing to do.

The Family Guidance Center can help you learn more about your mental health condition as well as its patterns and triggers. It can also help you develop a treatment program that works for you and your family. Mental illness is a disease, but it is manageable and highly treatable with support from Family Guidance.