Stories

By sharing our knowledge and experiences, we can put an end to the myths and assumptions around parental mental illness. If you want to share your own story and help others find out more about parental mental illness, you can submit your blog or your vlog online through the Our Time website.

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Never sunshine and rainbows
Image of rainbow in the sky
24th July 2019 - Written by Mark Clifford (name changed) Writing under a pseudonym, teenager Mark tells his personal story about his father's mental illness and the challenges it meant for his family.
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Our Time’s response to the 2019 Children’s Commissioner’s Report of Vulnerable Children
Illustration of child in different stages of growing up
5th July 2019 - Written by Dympna Cunnane It’s that time of year again when the annual Children’s Commissioners Report on Vulnerable Children is released. Every year, for the past three years, Anne Longfield has shown us the scandal of our neglected children and young people, but we don’t seem to care enough to do anything about it.
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Adverse childhood experiences – resilience and protective factors
Child sat in doorway covering face with hands
25th June 2019 - Written by Dympna Cunnane Thinking about the lives of children who live in families where there is mental illness is a key focus of Our Time. Parental Mental Illness is one of the 10 ACEs but it is rarely present in children and young people’s mental health policy and practice.
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Postpartum Psychosis – how does it affect a family?
Mother holding child's hand
13th May 2019 - Written by Dr Alan Cooklin Postpartum Psychosis – is a pretty stark term and scary for new parents facing all the other pressures and changes that can accompany the arrival of their first baby.
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Girls at risk
Person sitting near wall slumped over with head down
13th May 2019 - Written by Dympna Cunnane Dympna addresses why women's bodies are the cause of so much distress, and discusses what is being done to help.
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The importance of talking
two young women talking in a cafe at a table
6th February 2019 - Written by Dr Alan Cooklin Talking is a vital part of life but when it comes to mental illness, it can be a hard thing to do for both parents and children alike. We look at how small steps can make a big difference.
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