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Recent work in parental mental illness (PMI) has focused attention on mechanisms by which it impacts the lives of family members and is transmitted intergenerationally. This includes arguments for attending to how recovery and experiences of the illness in families are shaped relationally. In this article, we contribute to this area through presenting the results of in-depth qualitative research studying how family communication around PMI shapes families' experiences of illness and recovery. This comprises thematic analysis of thirty-six semi-structured interviews and eight focus groups with families and multi-agency professionals who worked with them. Findings demonstrate a complex interplay of drivers of lack of communication and of the impacts of this on family relationships and well-being. Notably, families found it difficult to communicate around mental health due to guilt and shame felt by the unwell parent, a belief that concealing the illness will protect children and lack of capacity in families for communication in general. This lack of communication affects how families make sense of one another's experiences and behaviours and impacts individual coping and family relationships. Fostering positive communication around the illness in social work settings has the potential to improve relationships, reduce perceived burdens of illness and aid recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children whose parents have mental illnesses are among the most vulnerable in our communities. There is however, much that can be done to prevent or mitigate the impact of a parent's illness on children. Notwithstanding the availability of several evidence‐based interventions, efforts to support these children have been limited by a lack of adequate support structures. Major service reorientation is required to better meet the needs of these children and their families. This editorial provides recommendations for practice, organisational, and systems change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental mental illness (PMI) is a public health issue associated with risks of negative outcomes for children and families. Effective whole family interventions with families with PMI are still not well implemented across mental health, social work and multi-agency workforces. This paper presents research with professionals trained in a new programme, the Think Family-Whole Family Programme, to strengthen family-focused work around PMI. It examines professionals' practice and understanding of PMI and identifies enablers of effective practice. Findings indicate that professionals having appropriate knowledge of how PMI can affect families and the confidence to address it are important factors enabling effective work with them. They also had concerns around how to discuss mental health due to issues of stigma and management support of whole-family work. Results indicate potential for training to achieve positive outcomes in improving professionals' knowledge and confidence and encouraging whole-family work around PMI. Possibilities and challenges for future work with families with PMI are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this audit cycle was to compare the clinical practice of treating children and adolescents with moderate to severe depression with the NICE guidelines. The second aim was to recommend changes in practice to improve compliance to the guidelines and reinvestigate the degree of change two years after the initial recommendations. Design/methodology/approach -- A total of 40 patients within Secondary Care with moderate or severe depression were selected. Data were collected, analyzed and recommendations were made. The second phase of the audit cycle was completed after two years, following similar methods. Findings -- On most of the parameters the clinical practice improved in the re-audit, indicating better compliance with the NICE guidelines. However, on a few areas the compliance did not improve or even deteriorated. Research limitations/implications -- The implications of the results were discussed and final recommendations were made based on the findings and the perceived change in practice. Originality/value -- Literature searches revealed no previous audit cycles to have been conducted on CAMHS compliance to NICE guidelines with regards to treating depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]