Children Suffering From Mental Illness

Raising a child without a Mental Illness is a very time consuming job and it takes a lot of care and patience, but for parents raising a child who is suffering from a Mental Illness there is definitely more challenges when it comes to raising their child. Dr Manion says "In Canada's health system mental health is an orphan, but children's mental health is an orphans orphan"("Manion & Michael, 2008). This basically means that not only is mental health pushed aside by the Canadian government but that Children's mental health is almost non existent. This is a disturbing thought especially because I plan on working with children who are mentally ill, but how are we supposed to help children who suffer from a mental illness if the resources are non existent. Mental health affects 13- 22 percent of Canadian children and is most often ignored due to denial.("Manion & Michael, 2008)

Across Canada 800.000 families struggle on a daily basis with the stress and complication due to raising a child with a mental illness.(Anderson & Andre, 2008) It is saddening that there are so many families out their fighting for answers, and all they can do is wait. But the longer they wait to find out the answers the longer their children are isolated from society. Ms Bishop and Mr Quins knew that their daughter needed help but that it was easier said than done.(Anderson & Andre, 2008). Why is this, why is it so hard to try and find answers? Until answers are found for children with mental illness they are more often than not seen as a spoiled child who is kicking and screaming because they didn't get what they want. Ms bishop said she wanted to scream out "she isn't spoiled she is sick" in regards to her daughter who was having a severe breakdown in the middle of the grocery store.(Anderson & Andre, 2008) I can't imagine what it would be like for these parents feeling humiliated because they don't know whats wrong with their child. Mental Illness doesn't just affect the child it also affects the parent(s). The more stressed and overwhelmed parents get the more likely they will have anxiety and breakdown.

Now to bring this into a Neoconservative lens, where they believe that individuals who suffer from mental illness deserve it and that it is not a disability. The definition of disability is " a physical or mental condition that limits a persons movement, senses or activities". This is often the case when individuals are diagnosed with a mental illness. The signs and symptoms can often include not being able to live they way they used too, not knowing from right or wrong and losing control of their body and mind. So by not seeing mental illness as a disability they are affecting they way children who suffer from a mental illness grow up. If the government doesn't see it as a disability then the funds or necessary programs will not be put into place or are taken away. Mental illness is more common than people think and as a society we need to do our part in advocating for those who cannot.

Karlie

References

Anderssen, E., & Picard, A. (2008, November 22). Raising a child with a mental illness. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from Globe and Mail: http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081122.wbreakdown2211/BNStory/mentalhealth/

Manion, I., & Michael, C. (2008, November 25). Mental health professionals on children and mental illness. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from Globe and Mail: http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081122.wmhchildrendocsdiscussion1122/BNStory/mentalhealth/