Parenting is a mental health issue.
OBJECTIVE
Increasing numbers of adults with a psychiatric disorder are also parents of dependent children. The present article aims to outline ways in which Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) can assist in enhancing psychiatric care when a person with a mental illness also has parenting responsibilities.


METHODS
The national Children of Parents With A Mental Illness (COPMI) initiative undertook consultations with consumers, carers, young people and a range of professionals to assist in development of documents and resource materials to enhance policy and practice. Communication and interaction with key psychiatrists' professional bodies to seek their advice and participation has been maintained throughout the project.


RESULTS
The RANZCP Fellows have assisted the COPMI project in the development and dissemination of draft principles and recommended actions for services and people working with children of parents with a mental illness and their families, and in the development of associated resource materials. They are now considering a College position statement on this issue.


CONCLUSIONS
If children of parents with a mental illness are to benefit from proposed enhancements to practice relating to services provided to their families, it is essential that psychiatrists themselves are involved in the development, implementation and review of good practice in this area.
Fudge
Elizabeth
E
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness, Australian Infant Child Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association, PO Box 387, Stepney, SA 5069, Australia. fudgee@wch.sa.gov.au
Falkov
Adrian
A
Kowalenko
Nick
N
Robinson
Philip
P
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D004493:Education / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009520:New Zealand; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010553:Personality Development; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D012944:Social Support