Invisible Children's Project
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Parents living with mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders face the same challenges that all parents face, including:
housing issues
employment issues
money management
transportation
childcare
many others
They also face challenges specific to their illness, including
- medication
- hospitalization
- relationships with helpers
- stigma—including the belief that people with mental illnesses should not have or raise children
Families in which a parent has a mental illness or co-occurring disorders often have unmet service needs that can lead to family instability and disruption.
Service systems may view adults with mental illness or co-occurring disorders in complete isolation of their children, and thus are not providing comprehensive, integrated services that could enhance family stability and self-determination. To service providers, the children of parents with mental illness or co-occurring disorders are often “invisible.”
Mental Health America's Invisible Children’s Project is designed to address the concerns of parents living with mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders.
Research Background on the Invisible Children's Project (pdfs)
The Invisible Children's Project: An Example Of A Promising Program
Steps Toward Evidence-Based Practices for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families
The Invisible Children’s Project: A Family-Centered Intervention for Parents with Mental Illness
Critical Issues for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families
Mental Health America and ICP
Page last updated: 11/15/2006