Adult mental ill-health

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In England, an estimated one in four adults will experience a difficulty with their mental health each year. This will include many parents and carers.

Mental health conditions vary in nature and severity:

They may fluctuate over time. This means the way an adult’s condition may affect their child and family can vary a lot. Whether any extra help, support or services are needed may vary too.

On this page you will find information about:

Understanding adult mental ill-health and getting support
Adult mental ill-health and child protection
Fair treatment and adult mental ill-health

Understanding adult mental ill-health and getting support

What impact may a parent or carer’s mental ill-health have on their child and family?

This varies. But factors which influence the impact may include:

Whether the parent or carer has been diagnosed with a mental health condition
Exactly how the mental health condition affects the parent or carer
Whether the parent or carer is receiving any treatment or support
What level of family, community or professional support is in place
Whether the parent or carer has additional difficulties such as struggling with drug or alcohol use.

What information may help understand how a mental health condition affects a family?

It is very important that accurate and up to date information about a parent or carer’s mental ill-health is available. Having this helps to make sure a family’s situation is properly understood. It can help to get the right help and support in place.

Read on to find out what information may be important and useful and why.

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What help may be available for a family where a parent or carer suffers mental ill-health?

Most families, including those affected by mental ill-health, will need some help to bring up their children. This may come from family and friends. Some families may need help and support from local agencies. Education (schools, nurseries), housing, and health services are all examples of agencies. And some children and families may need extra help from children’s services or from adult social care services. Or both.

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