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The Responsiveness of State Mental Health Authorities to Parents with Mental Illness

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Abstract

The majority of adults with serious mental illness living in the community are parents, many of whom may be receiving services from State Mental Health Authorities (SMHA). Innovative intervention approaches are available to improve outcomes for these parents and their children. Analyses of SMHA and state-level data, as well as qualitative interviews of administrators, service providers, and consumers, underscore the importance of organizational structure and philosophy, an advocacy presence, and available funding to SMHA efforts on behalf of parents and their families.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue, North Worcester, MA, 01655. E-mail:

    Kathleen Biebel

  2. Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Family Medicine, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue, North Worcester, MA, 01655

    Joanne Nicholson

  3. Research Instructor, Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue, North Worcester, MA, 01655

    Valerie Williams

  4. Research Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue, North Worcester, MA, 01655

    Beth R. Hinden

Authors
  1. Kathleen Biebel
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  2. Joanne Nicholson
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  3. Valerie Williams
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  4. Beth R. Hinden
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Correspondence to Kathleen Biebel.

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Biebel, K., Nicholson, J., Williams, V. et al. The Responsiveness of State Mental Health Authorities to Parents with Mental Illness. Adm Policy Ment Health 32, 31–48 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APIH.0000039661.54974.ce

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APIH.0000039661.54974.ce

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