The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55758

Carolyn H Mason, MS, RN, Nursing, Miami University, 1601 Peck Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45011, 513-829-1065, masonch@muohio.edu, Sree Subedi, PhD, Sociology, Miami University, 1601 Peck Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45011, and Shiloh Turner, MPA, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Rookwood Tower, 3805 Edwards Road, Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45209-1948.

Most mental health care services are fragmented treating parents and children separately. The parenting role is not even taken into account. Research suggests that individuals with mental disorder are as likely than those without to become parents. A powerful predictor of children developing mental disorder is having a parent with a similar disorder. Parental mental disorder also increases the likelihood (80%) the child will be removed from the home. Therefore many parents avoid seeking mental health services for fear of losing custody. Removal of children from the home is an additional risk factor that predisposes them to mental and behavioral problems. The data for the study involves consumers of mental healthcare services at one of the largest agencies in Butler County, Ohio (N=145). Various aspects of client information including demographics were recorded in the aggregate. The preliminary findings indicate that over 60% of the consumers are parents while 48% have minor children. Most of them do not have custody of their children. Further, it seems that for most consumers getting custody of their children and pain due to this loss are major issues. Mental health advocates stress that with the right type of services and supports many parents with mental disorder and their children can remain together and function adequately. Our study recommends that mental health intervention should have a family centered approach. Services should be aimed at early interventions that focus on keeping consumers and their children together by providing coordinated and comprehensive need based services for both.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• 1.Develop an understanding of the severity of the needs that face many parents with mental disorder and their children.
• 2.Identify some of the major complex issues involved for parents with mental disorder and their children.
• 3.Recognize the need for early assessment and intervention.

Keywords: Adult and Child Mental Health, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.