Children should not have to grow up against all odds.
Sign our petition for more family-focussed services and better welfare provision for people with mental health difficulties and
support us in the work we do to better the chances of vulnerable children. Or you could
take our Quiz to see how much you know about families living with mental health in the UK.
The odds are stacked against the children of parents who have difficulties with mental health or well-being. These children are at greater risk of:
- experiencing developmental problems
- going into care because their parent is hospitalised or cannot offer them sufficient care
- living in a poor family
- having to care for their parent
- developing their own emotional or mental health difficulties
But it doesn’t have to be like this for these children.
We know adults with mental health difficulties are great parents when they get the right services and welfare provision to support them with
- managing their mental condition or dealing with their emotional difficulties
- parenting and supporting their children’s learning
- managing their households and finances
- getting into volunteering, training and work
There aren’t enough of these services for families in the UK, and the welfare system is letting them down.
Instead many parents suffer the heartbreak of being separated from their children because they cannot care for them. Their children are disadvantaged by poverty and their own mental health difficulties and sometimes the pressure of having to care for their parent with little support. Read about how we help parents with mental health problems here.
Why not contact your MP and encourage them to support our campaign.
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