They are burdened with concerns that children didn’t encounter decades ago.
The structure of the family and other aspects of the environment is on an ever-changing roller coaster. It seems like no one is exempted from the stresses of daily living. Researchers in recent studies have noticed another level of concern that takes place in children lives. When the parents are burdened down with financial problems, health issues, divorce, single parenting and separation what happens to a child’s world amidst these changes? What happens when children have parents with mental health problems? Brigitt Mueller and Lukas Fellmann (2019) have researched children of parents with mental illness-related problems. The mental health of parents can put children at a high risk in the area of development. This newly designed program was carefully placed under the observation of a practitioner-researcher organization.
Moments of reflection can open doors to lasting peace.
The program’s focus is matching identified children with “godparents” that were lay supporters. The godparents were volunteers and were to play important roles in children’s lives. Lay support was under observation of practitioners. The program is designed to lessen the stigma that is associated with mental illness. Most families that require this type of service are single-parent households. Single parents often feel isolated and begin practicing substance abuse to cope with surmounting problems. The program finds parents whose history is with mental health institutions. Therefore, children of parents who avoid the stigma of mental illness could easily be overlooked and underserved. Furthermore, these children are also deprived of the needed support because their parents don’t consider themselves of being mentally ill. Godparents provide long-term support to children in order to help them adjust during their developmental stage. Children continue to live with their parents, but the “god-parents” visit them on a regular basis. Godparents provide a secure relationship beyond familial relationships. Godparents they must be reliable and have a stable lifestyle. Godparenting occurs for a duration of three years.
Parents who do not subscribe to receiving professional support for their children put their children at a greater risk for developmental problems. Thus, they are depriving them of a valuable long-term relationship. The services that godparents provide are also beneficial to the parents, especially single mothers. Advantages that the program provides to the parents are relief from daily parenting responsibilities, extra support with fostering healthy environments for the children, and providing additional role models for the children.
It is refreshing to a single parent to have someone of whom they can trust with their children. Parents who did not subscribe to getting professional help for their children and who avoided being stigmatized forfeited their support for providing their children with a healthy environment to grow up in. Therefore, families who did not meet the specifications of a diagnosed mental illness continue to fall through the cracks of society. Parents who seek help often receive additional help. The parents who refuse help are often already disadvantaged individuals. Thus, the program has the potential to repeat the cycle of serving the privileged and neglecting the marginalized. I disliked the idea of going to the mental institution as a mean of finding parents with mental illnesses. These parents probably had some form of insurance. Others who do not subscribe to the help that is needed may not have any insurance.
“Grief is not a sign of weakness — it’s a testament to love that endures.”
Counseling children in 2020 is indeed a challenge. During the span of this course, we have already discussed the numerous problems that children face in today’s world. In the wake of COVID-19, this program could not be implemented. Godparents wouldn’t be allowed to visit due to the current social distancing rules in place. Moreover, they would most likely be vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. Therefore, these parents would still be overburdened with their children, especially during this pandemic season. Like the population of this program, parents in today’s time continue to be overstressed. This stress negatively impacts the development of their children as the article implies. Overall, effective counselors for both parents and children are much needed during these critical times.
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