Parents with mental ill health require more support, says expert

Supporting adults while ensuring the wellbeing of children should be the goal for all health professionals working with families where a parent experiences mental ill health, according to child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Adrian Falkov. Speaking at a symposium to mark the launch of his new book, The Family Model: Managing the impact of parental mental health on children, Dr Falkov highlighted the complex interplay between mental health in parents and the development of related issues in their children, saying: “There are numerous influences on development of child mental health and psychopathology, not least the mental health of the parent.