Training materials: Being seen and heard – The needs of children with mental illness

BEING SEEN AND HEARD – THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH MENTAL
ILLNESSES

Dr Alan Cooklin, Royal College of Psychiatrists, £35.25,
from
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications

STAR RATING 5/5

This hour-long video by the Camden and Islington Mental Health and
Social Care Trust looks at the main issues for children and young
people when a parent is affected by mental illness. It also offers
advice from the children’s point of view, write Yashi Shah and Judy
Jones.

The first part explores children’s perspectives on living with a
mentally ill parent and the different professional responses to
their concerns.

The second finds practical ways of engaging children and their
parents through drama and other creative means.

It highlights a gap in services, raising not only the issue of how
we work with parents, but also how we listen to children.

It shows that in a safe and sympathetic setting, children are able
to talk honestly and powerfully about their experiences and, most
importantly, give their views of what they require from the
professionals and services.

It is important that both adult mental health services and
children’s services watch this together in order to share expertise
and plan jointly for the future so that we truly hear the voices of
these children.

Yashi Shah is service unit manager, Brent children’s
services; and Judy Jones is lead social worker, Brent mental health
services