parent,s with mental illness

How many children have a parent with mental illness?

Many children will grow up with a parent who, at some point, will have some degree of mental illness. Most of these parents will have mild or short-lived illnesses, and will usually be treated by their general practitioner.

 

A few children live with a parent who has a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.  In fact 68% of women and 57% of men with a mental illness are parents. In addition many children live with a parent who has long-term mental health problems, as well as alcohol or drug problems and personality disorders.