For Parents

Coping with a child's serious illness is something many parents find they must do. They begin their journey with the first signs of symptoms. They move through the sometimes difficult process to find a diagnosis, and to ensure effective treatment. Along the way, there are questions, challenges, doubts, and hope. Here , we offer the parents' perspective of caring for a child with a mental illness. These are honest stories about love, hope, and the human spirit.

A Parent's Journey

D, who prefers to remain anonymous, is a parent of an adult child living with schizophrenia. She lives in Halifax Regional Municipality. Here, she shares what that journey has been like for her and her son.

From hospital to community

Maybe you are the parent of a young adult child who has been in and out of hospital many times. You are getting older. You may be wondering how your child is ever going to live in the community without you. That is what Sheila Morrison and her family is facing.

Talking about your child's mental illness

If your adult child had an unexpected heart attack what would you tell your friends? If he was frequently sick with asthma, what would you say? If she were admitted to hospital with psychosis, how would you explain that? What is the difference?

When your child withdraws

It can be difficult for people living with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or other mood disorders to make friends. This is not something you can fix as a parent, but there are things you can do to ease the situation.

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