Mental Health problems, not fit to be a...

[slmjacs]

...parent? There was just a news item on itv claiming that a woman with a history of mental illness has had to move abroad in order to keep her baby as the authorities intended to take it off her as soon as she gave birth because of fears she'll be a danger to her baby even though she is now fit and well. Do you think that the authorities should have the right to do this? Wouldn't they be better off concentrating on babies/children that they know are in danger already? Isn't this encouraging women with mental health issues not to seek help for fear of their future children being taken from them?I'm Bipolar does that mean I'm not fit to be a mother even though I'm surrounded with support and love and I'm on medication?

[MARGARET W]

think about it shes legged it to sweden and then shes stupid enough to do interviews with all and sundry shes certainley hitting the profile off attention seeking which is what munchhausens is. any body wanting things to quiten down would keep a low profile so yes shes off her rocker and a slut probably with bad teeth and a fungal infection and i bet she goes shoplifting etc etc etc etc

[Maud the Skivvy]

The mother should be supported in caring for the child and given the chance to prove that she can love it and meet its' needs. NO child should be take away from its' mother unless there is serious drug/alcohol abuse issues and the mother is clearly unable to meet the childs' needs. The Social Services like to remove babies so they can meet their adoption quotas. I've had mental health difficulties on and off in my life, but I'm devoted to my kids and provide a good standard of care for them.......much better than a lot of parents that I know of :-/

[Analyst]

If properly taken care of and with proper medication, a bipolar woman or whatever should have every right to be a mother.

[Rhys H]

Just because someone has mental health problems should not mean de facto the child should automatically be taken into care. There need to be established grounds with clear evidence that can go to a court. Trouble is the UK Child Protection system is completely risk averse, over stretched and staffed by the overworked and under trained. Bascally they will do whatever covers their bottom most and costs the least. You need also to factor in that a baby is very adoptable and therefore would be a magic tick in a box the next time the SSD were inspected. This lady is entitled to full representation by a specialist lawyer and there is a specific legal process where parental mental health is an issue. HTHR

[stile_usm]

i think the consideratin of removing the child at birth would indicate to me that this person is NOT in any remision and her mental illness is NOT under control. However, assuming that she is stable with spport and medication...this does seem a little harsh. It would be like asuming that someone who has had an amputation or who is overweight, or deaf maybe would also not beable to rear a child in safety and have that removed at birth also. I think unless there is actual reason to be concerned, we should not be acting on a 'maybe'.

[Alfirin06]

I really think the severity of the problems should be looked at, as well as the kind of support system that is available.I have Bipolar as well and I don't think anyone should be prejudiced against,in any way, just because they have some mental health difficulties.

[Miatagirl]

This disturbs me that the government thinks that they can intervene in a persons life in such a way. Mental illness does not mean that a person cant parent effectively. I have been struggling with Major depressive disorder for years, but am doing a good job with my child, I know when I need to seek help, and have learned how to deal with my illness and, have a great support system in my family and friends. My child is in school now and doing great (top of his class in reading, social studies and math), and is quite a well adjusted little person. Oh yeah, and did I mention that I was a single mom. Even with my mental issues my child is considerably better off with me than his father, who is physically and emotionally abusive and has issues with alcohol, and does not really seem to care that much for his child. Since he has had no formal diagnosis of mental illness should my child be with him instead of me. Fortunately, the government has sided with me and I have custody, even though they had knowledge of my mental history (thanks to my child's father). The decision is not for the government to make, in my opinion. If there is treatment, knowledge, and support the child is often much better with the parents.