It Takes a Village: Supporting Children Whose Parents Have a Mental Illness

When a parent experiences mental health problems, it can significantly impact their children. Research shows that, worldwide, one in four children has a parent with a mental illness. These children may feel anxious, guilty, or take on adult responsibilities at home. However, they are not alone. Many people are ready to help when families are facing difficulties. The Village research project in Tyrol, Austria, was designed to support these families. The goal was to ensure that children receive support not only from professionals, but also from their own relatives and community members. We helped families build their own “village” of support to help children feel safe, understood, and valued. In the project, we found that children and parents talked with each other more. More research is needed, but so far our work highlights the importance of talking openly about mental illness and seeking help when needed.