The Surgeon General has identified children's mental illness as a national problem that creates a burden of suffering so serious as to be considered a health crisis. Yet, what it means to be the parent of a mentally ill child has not been adequately considered--until now. Parenting Mentally Ill Children: Faith, Caring, Support, and Survival captures the essence of caring for these youngsters, providing resources and understanding for parents and an instructive lesson for society. Author Craig Winston LeCroy uses in-depth interviews to chronicle the experiences of parents of mentally ill children as they attempt to survive each day, obtain needed help, and reach out for support, and he lets them share their misunderstood emotions of shame, anger, fear, guilt, and powerlessness in the face of stigma from professionals, family, and friends. The book concludes with a critical appraisal of the social policies that must be implemented to help--and the reasons we should feel obligated to initiate them. Reviews: "Mental health professionals need to listen carefully to the voices of parents seeking help for their children who live with mental illness. They can start by reading this book. Parents, doctors, social workers and others can all benefit from its thoughtful, provocative approach to issues challenging the mental health care system." "In this well-documented book, Craig Winston LeCroy asks: 'How can mental health professionals provide help if they do not understand the experience of a parent?' It's about time someone asked! LeCroy humanizes the many issues parents face as they struggle to help their child in a health system that routinely views parents with suspicion and treats them with disdain rather than welcoming them as partners. Thank you for telling our stories and reminding us that while psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals come and go, it's parents who often must deal with the consequences of a child's mental disorder for a lifetime." Table of Contents: Acknowledgments -- Chapter 1. Introduction: The Crisis of Children's Mental Health -- Chapter 2. Accepting the Verdict: My Child Has a Mental Illness -- Chapter 3. The Burden of Love: An Everyday Reality for Parents -- Chapter 4. Searching for Help: Expertise Is Hard to Find -- Chapter 5. Finding Help: What Matters to Parents? -- Chapter 6. Managing and Coping with Everyday Life: Struggles and Tribulations -- Chapter 7. Faithful Acts of Caring: Lessons on a More Meaningful Life -- Chapter 8. Society's Obligation: Doing More for Our Children -- Appendix: Resources for Parents of Children and Adolescents with Mental Illnesses -- Notes -- References -- Index. About the Author: Craig Winston LeCroy, PhD, is professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. |