Children of parents with a mental illness and multidisciplinary intervention programs in health literacy – a narrative review of international and portuguese experiences
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Abstract
Mental health literacy is essential in any population and age group, but studies have shown that its levels are globally low. Such is the case of the children of parents with a mental illness, a group at high-risk due to daily exposure to psychological, biological and social stressors, which increase the risk for the development of mental disorders as well as fears and doubts. Despite this, the unique needs of this group are often undervalued at the level of the community, school, specialized mental health services and scientific studies. Our aim was to identify and describe intervention programs in mental health literacy in this population through a narrative review of the literature. Internationally there are several programs that differ in the time devoted to each of the components of mental health literacy, in the target audience and in the program design. In Portugal, two specific programs were identified, “Semente” and “Gente Feliz com Lágrimas”, which allow the identification of these families at risk and the increase of their mental health literacy and of health professionals.
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