Mental illness shame
August 27, 2012
PARENTS with a mental illness are
ashamed to ask for help to raise
their children, according to a new
study by the national mental health
charity, SANE Australia.
The study of 330 people, 84%
who were women, with the most
common conditions being
depression (50%), followed by
bipolar disorder (23%).
The survey results found that only
a third of respondents told their
child’s school that they have a
mental illness, whilst those that
did disclose their condition found
the experience unhelpful, and even
in some cases leading to stigmatising
by other parents and, in some
cases, bullying of their child.
In addition nearly 50% of
respondents surveyed said they
have not sought help for their
mental illness on occasions because
they feared losing custody of their
child; whilst 64% indicated they
would resist going to hospital
because of concern for their child.
Worryingly more than 10% of the
people surveyed said they had no
one to call on if they are ill.
“It is unacceptable that in 2012,
people are too embarrassed to say
they have a mental illness,” said
Jack Heath, CEO of SANE Australia.
“Many parents managing a
mental illness are acutely aware
that their illness is a recognised risk
factor for their child to develop
mental health problems later in life,
such as depression.
“That’s why it’s so important they
get support when they need it,” he
added.
For more information visit
www.sane.org.
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