Resources for Parents
Many children and families are affected by mental health problems. At any given time:
- One in five children and adolescents may have a mental health problem.
- At least 1 in 10, or as many as 6 million young people, may have a serious emotional disturbance. (Center for Mental Health Services, CMHS)
It is for these reasons that Mental Health America and Mental Health America of Wisconsin (formerly Mental Health Association) focuses heavily on children and family issues. Below please find downloadable resources for parents (PDF files).
What Parents Can Do To Cope with Stress
Love, Laughter, and Limits: Raising Mentally Healthy Children
Practical Tips for Parents: What Parents Need to Know: Treating Depression in Children and Teens
When a Parent Has a Mental Illness - from Risk to Resiliency: Protective Factors for Children
Recognizing Postpartum Depression
Positive Parenting
When a Parent Has a Mental Illness - Serious Mental Illness and Parenting
When a Parent has a Mental Illness - Issues and Challenge
Effective Discipline Techniques for Parents: Alternatives to Spanking
When a Parent Has a Mental Illness - Child Custody Issue
Tips on Healthy Parenting for Mothers with Depression
Critical Issues for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families
Source: Mental Health America
Additional Resources and Articles
Wellness Recovery
The
below "Wellness Recovery" curriculum is based on the recovery model and
is designed to work with individuals that have mental health issues. It
is developed to educate these individuals on their mental health
concerns and the recovery process, along with assisting them in
recognizing their triggers and early warning signs. Lastly, this
information will aid them in developing a crisis plan. This curriculum
can be used in a variety of ways. For example, it could be completed
during a few home visits or in a class setting over an 8-week
period. These materials are presented by Kristina Finnel, Supervisor of
the Invisible Children's Program. Feel free to contact Kristina for
more information at (414) 276-3122 or send a message.
Easy to read fact sheets on Mental Health and Mental Illness , Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, and Schizophrenia.
Explorations of Parenting Environments in the Evolution of Psychiatric Problems in Children
Sticks, Stones, and Hurtful Words: Relative Effects of Various Forms of Childhood Maltreatment
Offspring of Depressed Parents: 20 Years Later
Grandparents Parenting ... Again
National Academy for State Health Policy The ABCD Reading Room is designed to provide state policymakers with easy access to research and resources related to early childhood health and development. The reading room is not meant to provide a complete list of all resources currently available on a given topic. Rather, it includes material that has proved of particular interest to state officials as they have worked to improve the quality of health and developmental services provided to young children. We welcome suggestions for addtions to these pages.
ParentsMedGuide.org: Helping Parents Help Their Kids
Mother's Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Among Youth
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has available "The NSDUH Report: Mother's Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Among Youths." Drawing on data gathered by SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this report examines the occurrence of serious mental illness and substance use among mothers and their children in 2002 and 2003. According to the report, youth living with a mother who had a serious mental illness had an increased risk of past-month alcohol or illicit drug use compared with youth living with a mother who did not have a serious mental illness.
ZERO TO THREE has deveoped a series of articles, "Pointers for Parents." Topics include: play to learn, keep your youngsters on the go, nurturing your child's development, and more. Further permission to use these articles need not be obtained; just download and share with others.
Ombudsman Offices Open
Objective, Impartial, & Independent Reviews of Complaints. The Office of the Milwaukee Ombudsman for Child Welfare is a free, public service that reviews case-specific concerns regarding the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families involved with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare (BMCW). Additional information available on the Milwaukee Ombudsman web site or by calling (414) 224-1347.
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