Young carers, young victims or young survivors? Seeing parental mental illness through the eyes of children and young people Alan Cooklin

1999 – Merseyside Young Carers …then the worst thing was when the mental health services got involved… …then the worst thing was when the mental health services got involved… How can we change that experience for children and young people ? How can we change that experience for children and young people ?

The Complaint No explanation No explanation (Worse still) No request for information or opinions from the child (Worse still) No request for information or opinions from the child

The Need - as expressed by children and young people To have a frank discussion about their parents illness. To have a frank discussion about their parents illness. To know that there is an adult who will act as their advocate. To know that there is an adult who will act as their advocate...many other expressed, and predictable needs can both be seen under this umbrella, and can be responded to if the above are adequately provided...many other expressed, and predictable needs can both be seen under this umbrella, and can be responded to if the above are adequately provided. …….Video 1. …….Video 1.

And to meet the complaint, the explanations need to take account of what the children and young people may uniquely know themselves: And to meet the complaint, the explanations need to take account of what the children and young people may uniquely know themselves:

Children and Young People may know more… Indicators of relapse: Video 2 Indicators of relapse: Video 2

Indicators of relapse: video 3. Indicators of relapse: video 3.

Indicators of relapse: video 4 Indicators of relapse: video 4

Swabrinas story……. Alecs story……. Swabrinas story……. Alecs story…….

91% Unsuppported….! – recent news headline National Young Carers Initiative – of the Childrens Society – report knowledge of 302 projects in UK, caring for young people (including those on waiting lists). National Young Carers Initiative – of the Childrens Society – report knowledge of 302 projects in UK, caring for young people (including those on waiting lists). Estimates 15,000 to 30,000 children and young people in Uk receiving some form of support. Estimates 15,000 to 30,000 children and young people in Uk receiving some form of support.

Projects and estimates of need are for all Young Carers, including physical and mental disabilities in parents. 170,000 Young Carers in England and Wales estimated by Aldridge and Becker, of which overall approx. one third re. a parent with mental illness. 170,000 Young Carers in England and Wales estimated by Aldridge and Becker, of which overall approx. one third re. a parent with mental illness. Up to 1,000,000 children may be significantly affected by parental mental illness Up to 1,000,000 children may be significantly affected by parental mental illness

A Dialectical explanation of mental illness Needs to be technical – but does not imply that illness has only biological origins Needs to be technical – but does not imply that illness has only biological origins Needs to be 2-way – both to juxtapose childs understanding with what is known, and Needs to be 2-way – both to juxtapose childs understanding with what is known, and To debate the different perspectives To debate the different perspectives Video 5: Nathans last word. Video 5: Nathans last word.

A dialectical explanation of Parental Mental Illness as the medium of work with children and their parents Engages the childs competence Engages the childs competence Provides a medium which can connect child, parents and professionals Provides a medium which can connect child, parents and professionals Avoids dangers of patronisation Avoids dangers of patronisation

Video 6: Bethlehems adaptation of the Wise Mouse