Young carers, young Young carers, young victims or youngvictims or young survivors? survivors?

Seeing parental mental illnessSeeing parental mental illnessthrough the eyes of children through the eyes of children and young peopleand young people

Alan CooklinAlan Cooklin

1999 – Merseyside Young 1999 – Merseyside Young CarersCarers

“…“…then the worst thing was when the then the worst thing was when the mental health services got involved…”mental health services got involved…”

How can we change that experience for How can we change that experience for children and young people ?children and young people ?

The ComplaintThe Complaint

No explanationNo explanation (Worse still) No request for information or (Worse still) No request for information or

opinions from the childopinions from the child

The Need - as expressed by The Need - as expressed by children and young peoplechildren and young people

To have a frank discussion about their parent’s illness.To have a frank discussion about their parent’s illness. To know that there is an adult who will act as their To know that there is an adult who will act as their

advocate.advocate.

..many other expressed, and predictable needs can both ..many other expressed, and predictable needs can both be seen under this umbrella, and can be responded to be seen under this umbrella, and can be responded to if the above are adequately provided.if the above are adequately provided.

………….Video 1..Video 1.

And to meet the complaint, the And to meet the complaint, the explanations need to take account of explanations need to take account of what the children and young people may what the children and young people may uniquely know themselves:uniquely know themselves:

Children and Young Children and Young People may know more…People may know more…

Indicators of relapse: Video 2Indicators of relapse: Video 2

Indicators of relapse: video 3. Indicators of relapse: video 3.

Indicators of relapse: video 4Indicators of relapse: video 4

Swabrina’s story……. Swabrina’s story…….

Alec’s story……. Alec’s story…….

‘’‘’91% Unsuppported….!’ – 91% Unsuppported….!’ – recent news headlinerecent news headline

National Young Carers Initiative – of the National Young Carers Initiative – of the Children’s Society – report knowledge of Children’s Society – report knowledge of 302 projects in UK, caring for 50-100 302 projects in UK, caring for 50-100 young people (including those on waiting young people (including those on waiting lists).lists).

Estimates 15,000 to 30,000 children and Estimates 15,000 to 30,000 children and young people in Uk receiving some form young people in Uk receiving some form of support.of support.

Projects and estimates of Projects and estimates of need are for all ‘Young need are for all ‘Young Carers’, including physical Carers’, including physical and mental disabilities in and mental disabilities in parents.parents.

170,000 Young Carers in England and 170,000 Young Carers in England and Wales estimated by Aldridge and Becker, Wales estimated by Aldridge and Becker, of which overall approx. one third re. a of which overall approx. one third re. a parent with mental illness.parent with mental illness.

Up to 1,000,000 children may be Up to 1,000,000 children may be significantly affected by parental mental significantly affected by parental mental illnessillness

A Dialectical explanation A Dialectical explanation of mental illnessof mental illness

Needs to be ‘technical’ – but does Needs to be ‘technical’ – but does notnot imply that illness has only biological imply that illness has only biological originsorigins

Needs to be ‘2-way’ – both to juxtapose Needs to be ‘2-way’ – both to juxtapose child’s understanding with what is child’s understanding with what is ‘known’, and‘known’, and

To debate the different perspectivesTo debate the different perspectives Video 5: Nathan’s last word.Video 5: Nathan’s last word.

A ‘dialectical’ explanation of A ‘dialectical’ explanation of Parental Mental Illness as Parental Mental Illness as the medium of work with the medium of work with children and their parentschildren and their parents

Engages the child’s competenceEngages the child’s competence Provides a medium which can connect Provides a medium which can connect

child, parents and professionalschild, parents and professionals Avoids dangers of patronisationAvoids dangers of patronisation

Video 6: Bethlehem’s Video 6: Bethlehem’s adaptation of the Wise adaptation of the Wise MouseMouse