Parenting and mental health

Many of us who care for children may worry about our mental health. About how it'll impact our children or how we can look after them.

But with the right support and resources, it's possible to care for children while managing your mental health problem.

This page focuses on coping as a parent when you have a mental health problem, regardless of which stage of parenthood you're at. If you're struggling in pregnancy or after having a baby, our postnatal depression and perinatal mental health pages have specific information for the early stages of parenting.

I worried so much that my daughter wouldn't turn out OK. But she is wiser than me, stronger than me and quite often looks after me! We've had lots of chats about mummy's 'head' and I know now I'm a good mother.

Challenges of parenting with a mental health problem 

All parents face challenges. Having children can be very stressful. But if you have a mental health problem, you may have more concerns or difficulties. For example:

• Coping with the everyday challenges of parenting. A mental health problem can make the day-to-day challenges of parenting feel harder. For example, anxiety may make you more easily worried. Or depression may make it harder to feel fully present with your child. You may also experience side effects from medications, such as tiredness. You might also find it more difficult to maintain a routine.

• Worrying about how your mental health could affect your child. For example, whether they may experience stress or mental health problems themselves. Your child may be impacted if they take on extra responsibilities around the home or feel they need to support you emotionally. This might mean, they have to change when they do their schoolwork. Or the amount of time they have to see their friends.

• Dealing with other people's negative ideas about mental health problems. Some people may make assumptions or judge your parenting because of your mental health problem. Or your child may be bullied or teased. You may also see unkind views about parents with mental health problems online. But remember it's OK to struggle. And that people who judge don't have a good understanding of what it’s like living with a mental health problem. See our page on stigma for more information.

• Finding it harder to seek help. You may feel worried about seeking help for a mental health problem in case people see you as a less capable parent. You may put pressure on yourself to cope for longer than you're able to.

• Being unable to work because of your mental health problem. You may worry about how to provide for your children financially.

• Worrying about your child having to go into care if things get really bad. Especially if you're finding your usual parenting responsibilities very difficult. Or if you need to go into hospital. See our section on when children might get taken into care to find out more.

If you're a struggling father, remember all storms pass. Where you are doesn't need to be where you stay.

Video: talking about parenting and mental health

Watch Kate, Nick and Darren talk about the challenges of parenting with a mental health problem.

Perfect people or perfect parents don't exist. Just focus on one day at a time and do the best you can.

How to cope as a parent with a mental health problem

Being a parent with a mental health problem can be difficult. You may also have other stressful life experiences that make parenting feel more challenging.

There are lots of things you can do to support your own wellbeing. This section has some ideas that may help.

Build a support network

• Make a list of people you'd feel comfortable asking for support. This might be a friend or a family member. Or someone else that you and your children trust. Just 1 or 2 people is a great first step.

• Share things that help your support network to understand you better. You could try writing down your warning signs when you’re unwell, and showing this to people close to you. This could help them spot the signs that you're finding it hard to cope.

• Ask for help with practical tasks. For example, childcare, transport and cooking meals. It might help to write down your family routines so that anyone supporting you can keep things consistent.

• Explore peer support groups. Not everyone has supportive friends and family, but you can still get support. You could find a local peer support group. Sharing your experiences with others can help you feel less alone. Your GP may have resources about local groups. Or you can look for groups at your local Mind. You can also connect with others on Mind's online community Side by Side.

• Ask your employer for flexible working arrangements, if you're in work. For example, flexible hours. This might help you manage the demands of working while parenting. See our pages on work and mental health for more tips.

Don't wait until you feel like you're in crisis. If you’re finding it hard to cope and need support, let people know as early as you can. Learn about your options in our section on where to find support.

Make a crisis plan

• Notice what increases your distress. This can help you prepare for a crisis. Some people can identify clear patterns in their mental health. Other people may find it less predictable. It may help to make a note of your triggers on paper or on your phone.

• Make plans for getting extra practical support at times when you're especially stressed. Reducing your sense of responsibility could help you feel calmer.

• Talk to the people closest to you about how you'd prefer to manage a crisis. This may prevent a crisis from happening.

• Make a more formal plan, if you're worried about losing capacity to make decisions. See our legal page on advance statements and decisions.

Our page on planning for a crisis has more tips.

Parenting with a mental health problem is about using the skills and practices all parents can use. The arrangements I make for my children's care should I need to go into psychiatric hospital are no different to those I would make for a stay in general hospital.

Look after yourself

It can be easy to forget about looking after yourself when you have children. But taking time to help yourself is important. It can prevent some problems from developing or getting worse.

Everyone has different ways of looking after themselves. That's OK. But these are some ideas that might help:

• Find ways to do things you enjoy. Even if you’re short on time while juggling parenting. For example, if you like reading you could listen to an audiobook while you're doing other things.

• Maintain routines where you can. For example, with sleeping and exercise. Try to start small. If you want to exercise more, schedule in a small walk each day and build this up over time.

• Focus on things that make you feel good. For example, you could spend some time in a green space. Or if you have access to childcare, you could book an appointment to get your hair cut.

Where can I find support?

• Your GP is there to help you with your mental health and your physical health. Our page on how to get help from your GP explains how to talk to your doctor, what might happen, and confidentiality.

• Mental health and family support charities may be able to help. Some offer online counselling, drop-in groups and specific support for parents. You can usually refer yourself. For example, the Family Action website lists support services for families with adults living with mental health problems.

• Your local Mind branch might run services in your area. Find your local Mind and visit their website to see what they offer.

• An advocate might be able to support you, if you're finding it hard to get the help you need. They're an independent professional who'll listen to your needs and support your choices. They can help you contact relevant services or go to appointments with you. See our page on advocacy for more information. 

• Your local authority may be able to help with social care support. You’ll need a social care needs assessment to access this. Your local authority can also support young carers. Find more information on the Carers Trust website.

• Children's social care services might be able to offer you and your child extra support, if you're eligible. This would be on top of support from adult social care services. Your local authority will need to assess your child's needs to decide if they’re entitled to support.

• Citizens Advice has more information on local council help available for your child on the Citizens Advice website.

For information about financial support you might be entitled to, visit our money and mental health page.

Reaching out for help may bring up very difficult fears about having your children taken away. Remember that organisations will have supported lots of other parents. Their family support staff will be experienced in how best to help you manage your situation.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. It's a strength to open up not a weakness, and everyone needs support at one time or another in their lives.

How can I support my child's mental health?

You may worry about how your mental health problems could affect your children. You might notice changes in how they behave or feel, but it isn't always easy to spot if your child is also struggling with their mental health.

Our page on talking to a young person about their mental health explains signs of poor mental health. It also helps with how to start talking to your child about their mental health.

If your child has practical and emotional responsibilities around the home, they may be classified as a young carer. You may feel worried that your child's caring responsibilities are having a negative impact on them. But support is out there.

Could my child be taken into care if I say I'm struggling?

You may feel worried about seeking help for your mental health, in case it means your children might be taken into care. This may make you nervous about seeking help. And could increase stress for you and your family.

But the reality is:

• Children are only taken into care in extreme circumstances. Social services should support you to explore what help is available first, including from friends and family. And will only take a child into care if they feel you can't keep them safe at home.

• Being in contact with social services doesn't mean your child will be taken into care. Social services aim to keep families together. They want to help you look after your children yourself. For many parents, this can be a positive experience.

• If your child is taken into care, it doesn't mean this will be permanent. Care is often temporary until you're well enough to look after them yourself again. You should be allowed to contact your child if they're not living with you while they're in care.

• Your child can't be taken into care straight away, unless they're at immediate risk of significant harm at home. If there's evidence that your child is afraid of being significantly harmed, social services may act quickly. They can do this by seeking a protection order from the court.

• In most cases you'd get some warning that the care process is beginning. This would mean being served with the court application. It's important to seek legal advice as soon as you receive notice from social services. This is because cases involving child protection orders can be scheduled for urgent hearings.

• The court's main aim will be safeguarding your child's welfare. The court won't make an order unless it considers that your child will be better protected away from home.

For more information on what would happen if a child was going to be taken into care, see the Citizens Advice website.

Getting support if your child is taken into care 

If your child is taken into care this may be a very distressing experience. There are ways to find support to help you through the process:

• Find a solicitor who specialises in childcare law to help you with the legal process. You can ask your social worker how to do this or check the GOV.UK website. You'll be able to get free advice and representation from a solicitor. Factors like your income, your savings or whether you own your home won't affect this.

• Contact a charity for families involved with social services, such as the Family Rights Group. They can offer information and advice about this process.

• Learn about your own legal rights. Information on local authority care and kinship care are available on the GOV.UK, Citizens Advice, Family Rights Group and Kinship websites. Coram Children's Legal Centre also give specialist family law advice.

• Make sure that you understand your treatment plan. If you don't understand or disagree with any part of it, it's important to talk to someone. You can talk to your social worker, GP or a mental health worker.

Organisations that help parents

There are several organisations that can help parents with mental health problems. Here are some you can try: