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Early interventions for children whose parents have a mental illness, comprising the provision of age-appropriate information about mental health, positive coping strategies, and meaningful social and emotional connections, are identified as preventive interventions for childhood health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CHAMPS (Children and Mentally Ill Parents) peer support program that is designed to connect, support and educate this cohort of children and their parents/carers. The CHAMPS program was reviewed and co-designed by clinicians, parent participants, peer workers and children in 2017 and 2019. The revised modularised program incorporates peer facilitators and shared lived experience as a way for participants to build understanding of their own experiences and strategies for coping. Children, parent/carers and program facilitators were interviewed for this study. This paper presents findings from interviews conducted with 8- to 12-year-old children (N = 20) who completed CHAMPS; parents/carers (N = 17) and program facilitators (N = 10). Children reported that the program lessened isolation and feelings of self-blame for their parents' struggles; and parents reported benefits from supported communication with their children in explaining their diagnosis and in understanding the needs of their child. It was concluded that early intervention peer support programs for children can have multiple positive impacts on the family, highlighting the importance of psychoeducation and improved family communication, as well as connections to peers for supporting families where parents have a mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having a parent with a mental illness can create considerable risks in the mental health and wellbeing of children. While intervention programs have been used effectively to reduce children's psychopathology, particularly those whose parents have a specific diagnosis, little is known about the effectiveness of these early interventions for the wellbeing of children of parents who have a mental illness from a broad range of parents. Here we report on an evaluation of CHAMPS (Children And Mentally ill ParentS), a pilot intervention program offered in two formats (school holiday and after school peer support programs) to children aged 8-12 whose parents have a mental illness. The wellbeing of 69 children was evaluated at the beginning of the programs and four weeks after program completion, on instruments examining self-esteem, coping skills, connections (total, within and outside the family) and relationship problems (total, within and outside the family). Post intervention, there were significant improvements in self-esteem, coping and connections within the family, and reductions in relationship problems. The impact on children's wellbeing differed according to the intensity of the program (consecutive days or weekly program). The results are discussed in the context of providing interventions for children whose parents have a mental illness and the implications for service provision generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to review the child, parent and family programs and workforce initiatives in Australia that target children and families where a parent has a mental illness. Fifty two individual telephone interviews were conducted with facilitators responsible for 60 child, parent, family and workforce programs across Australia. Interviewees were asked to describe (i) the program provided, (ii) the evidence framework of the program, and (iii) evaluation strategies employed. To supplement this data, three consumers and one carer were interviewed regarding their involvement in programs. Participants were identified through websites, e-discussion lists and snowball recruiting. Audio transcripts from the interviews were qualitatively analysed, using thematic analysis, alongside inter-rater reliability and member checks. Of the 60 identified programs, there were 26 child and adolescent programs, six programs for parents with a mental illness, four family programs and 24 workforce training initiatives. Program facilitators typically drew on their clinical experiences, rather than research, when developing programs. Generally, evaluation strategies were non standardised and/or measured participant satisfaction of programs. There was no systematic way of involving and supporting consumers and carers. Recommendations are made regarding evaluation training, a participation framework for consumers and carers, funding for programs, and the establishment of a formal network for sharing resources and facilitator experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of studies over the past decade have identified the needs of families where a parent has a mental illness (FaPMI) and the responsibility of organisations to provide adequate services to effectively support them. This article describes the development and implementation of a cross-sector audit between mental health and family support services in a catchment area in Melbourne, Australia. The audit gathered information about the number, demographics, supports and potential needs of FaPMI clients and their dependent children (aged 0-18 years). Selected results are presented here. Across ten teams, the audit identified 223 FaPMI clients (including ten shared clients across organisations) with a total of 400 children. The audit provided insight into gaps in knowledge about FaPMI and possibilities for service development for participating agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]