In general, two-thirds of females, and one-half of males who have a severe mental illness, will become parents. These and other mental illnesses may affect parenting and child welfare, including obsessive-compulsive, psychotic, panic, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
A Guide to Understanding When A Parent Has a Mental IllnessĪccording to the National Institute for Mental Health, 9.8 million Americans aged 18 or older, or 4.2% of adults, live with a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.