| The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore mental health workers' perceptions of mental illness and motherhood. Fifteen mental health workers were interviewed. The general areas explored included potential challenges to parenting with a mental illness, factors and services that might strengthen the ability of women with a mental illness to parent, and the relationship between mental health and child welfare services.; The results of the study indicated that 100% of the mental health workers in the sample perceived that support was essential for mothers with a mental health diagnosis to successfully parent. A high rate of child custody loss was reported by participants. Major challenges to maintaining custody included social stigma and poverty. Case management, advocacy, parenting classes, child care and mental health services were reported as useful interventions. Participants reported little collaboration between child welfare and mental health. Implications for social work practice and research are discussed. |
