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What Helps A Child Cope Better
There are certain characteristics and coping tools that can help a child weather the storm of mental illness in the life of their parent.
Here are some of the supports that help children cope successfully.
- Availability Of Counseling. Providing counseling for your child with a good therapist who is familiar with mental illness can
help your child deal more effectively with their emotions and the environment in which they live. This DOES NOT mean family counseling to support an
ill family member. The support your child needs is one on one counseling aimed at helping your child cope.
- A Well Parent Or Other Adult Who Is Supportive and Emotionally Available. The better we are able to care for and support ourselves, the better we are able to help our
children deal effectively with their own struggles. Children who have a well parent with the time and emotional energy to devote to their child fair better than those whose
parents leave or are unable to cope. Other loving members of our family or community can also provide support.
- Outside Interests. Children who have a creative outlet such as music or art, focus on achievements at school or in sports, or have outside friendships, often cope better than those who
have no identity apart from their chaotic families.
- Acceptance Of Mental Illness. The acceptance and acknowledgement of mental illness on the part of both parents, and compliance with treatment on the part of the ill parent are important factors that
help maintain the stability children need while growing up.
- Parents Take Full Responsibility. In families who cope successfully, parents are SOLELY responsible for safeguarding their children and getting treatment for the illness. The children understand
that they are never expected to take on this role in the family.
- If It Doesn't Work, Fix It. Many families have a difficult time coping when mental illness first strikes. Families who can step back and identify those behaviors and strategies that are not working, and begin using
those that work, manage better.
Many of these suggestions are based on the book "When Madness Comes Home" by Victoria Secunda.
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