Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services | www.FamiliesinSociety.org DOI: 10.1606/1044-3894.4097 | ©2011 Alliance for Children and Families MENTAL ILLNESS AND FAMILY SUPPORT Parents of Children With Mental Illness: Exploring th

Serious mental illness in children can significantly impact the parents who care for these children in both positive and negative ways. Caregiver strain and enrichment manifests in all areas of parents ’ lives, including work, mental and physical health, and social and family relationships. Research has identified numerous predictors of caregiver strain such as severity of child’s illness and impairment, race, and social support. These parents need strengths-based, parent-focused interventions to help them care for themselves and their family in a healthy, effective manner. A brief summary describes 4 types of interventions for parents of children with mental illness and the supporting research. Education, support, and skill building are all important components in parent interventions. A parent focus for interventions and research will decrease caregiver strain and create a healthier environment for the entire family. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • Mental illness in children has significant impact on parents, so clinical intakes should include assessment of parental strain to determine the needs of the entire family in the treatment process. Mental illness in children affects more than just the chil-dren—it impacts the entire family. Parents become both caregivers, managing the fluctuating moods and behav-iors of their children, and case managers, coordinating the services needed by their children. Parent caregivers of children with mental illness struggle to meet the needs of their entire family by balancin