|
|||||
|
|
Positive Connections: a programme for children who have a parent with a mental illness |
|
| Authors: | Nancy A Orel Patricia A Groves† Leona Shannon‡ |
| Institution: | Assistant Professor, Gerontology Program, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio,;Associate Professor, Women and Gender Studies, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, and;Program Coordinator, Positive Connections, Unison Behavioral Health Group, Inc., Toledo, Ohio, USA |
| Abstract: | Mental health professionals working with parents who suffer from a mental illness often overlook the children within the family. Children whose parents are mentally ill face numerous obstacles to their own emotional development and these children are at higher risk for developing mental illnesses than other children. These risks can be decreased if protective or positive interventions are available for the children. This article will describe the development and implementation of Positive Connections, an effective intervention programme specifically designed for children whose parents have been diagnosed with a mental disorder. The effectiveness of this programme has been evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative research strategies, and the results are presented. |
| Keywords: | children of parents with mental illness interventions mental health Positive Connections |