Parental mental illness in context

Parental mental illness in context:

• An estimated 2.9 million children & young people in the UK are affected by parental mental illness

• Up to 70% of these children could go on to develop mental health problems in later life

• Parental mental illness is one of the ten most significant ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’ (ACEs).

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic:

• One in four adults who would like mental health support were unable to access the services they needed

• One in four children and young people who received mental health support before ‘lockdown’ are no longer accessing support

• Over 80% of parents whose children previously received support from services, including mental health support, reported that they are no longer doing so

• A lack of access to adults who do not have a mental illness (such as teachers) has had a significant impact on young people’s ability to cope

These statistics have been taken from Our Time’s Evidence Review, conducted by Dr Allan Little, June 2020.

Please post your thoughts on these discussion points using the comments section.

• Do these statistics surprise you?
• What do you think is the difference between being a carer for a parent with a physical illness and a mental illness?
• Do you feel that these young people should be classified as ‘young carers’? What might be some of the advantages and disadvantages of this?