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13 Sep 2013

Young carer expert calls for new approach to mental health care

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A º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ professor has urged health and social care providers to recognise the needs of children and families as part of a wider care package for patients with mental ill health.

Speaking at the unveiling of Dr Adrian Falkov’s The Family Model, Professor Jo Aldridge called for those treating mental ill health to consider the needs of the immediate family as well as those of the patient.

It is estimated that up to 30% of adults with mental illness have dependent children (Family Action, 2011), and the impact of parental mental illness on children can be particularly detrimental - for example, impaired psycho-social development, under achievement at school, and poor transition into adulthood.

Professor Aldridge, who is Director of the Young Carers Research Group (YCRG) at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, champions the needs of children living with a mentally ill parent.

Her research focuses on the needs of these young carers and her studies with the YCRG have helped Dr Falkov build his case for The Family Model.

“We need to move away from the traditional medical model of treating the patient to a broader discourse of parental mental health and child welfare,” she said.

“Our research shows children living with and caring for parents with mental ill health are not at any inevitable risk of harm.

“By reviewing the needs of the children as part of a wider care plan, we can make sure they get the support they need to remain within the family unit and at the same time experience childhood.

“This approach works for other models of care, for multiple sclerosis and cancer patients. We now want it to be adopted for mental health.”

The Family Model: Managing the impact of parental mental health on children was launched today (Friday 13 September). The Family Model was originally developed as part of the Crossing Bridges training materials.

−ENDS−

Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 13/171

(1) Jo Aldridge is Professor of Social Policy and Criminology and Director of the Young Carers Research Group at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of Childwatch International, and the European Federation of Associations of Families with Mental Illness, and is currently working with UNICEF and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on research ethics and young carers’ issues.

Jo has contributed evidence on the needs of vulnerable children and their families to government committees, think tanks and policy makers, and also conducts service evaluations and training for health and social care service providers, including GPs, social workers and mental health professionals.

(2) º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. It has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league, and in recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

It is a member of the 1994 Group of 11 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

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