Custody Challenges Experienced By Parents With Serious Mental Illnesses Outside Of Child Protective Services Proceedings

Objective: The primary purpose of this study is to examine the experience of parents with a serious mental illness with custody challenges outside the child protective services (CPS) system. Methods: Interview data from 596 parents with serious mental illnesses were obtained in a national survey. Survey questions assessed the presence of a serious mental illness, parenting status, experiences with CPS, and other custody challenges they may have experienced. Results: One third of respondents experienced a non-CPS custody challenge, and most had their mental health issues brought up in the proceedings. Certain factors were found to increase risk of custody challenge and loss of custody or change in parenting time. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners should be aware of all threats to parenting and expand efforts to prevent custody loss through interventions aimed at enhancing parenting knowledge, skills, supports, and advocacy.