Public Health Topic

I chose to learn more about  the mental health of mothers' and fathers' and the effect on children's development. I have a student this year who has been diagnosed with depression at the age of seven. His mother suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. I have another student who is being neglected because his mother is depressed from a volatile divorce and the subsequent loss of her home to foreclosure. It is very hard and disturbing to see such young children with a heavy burden to bear.
From my research I have discovered that a father in better mental health may buffer the influence of a mother's poorer mental health. Maternal depression is known to have a broad influence on a child's health and well-being. Children of mother's who are depressed or who have depressive symptoms are at increased risk for developmental delay, behavior problems, depression and injuries. Depressed mothers are less likely to to engage in preventive parenting practices and are more likely to use child health care services. A father may help to reduce the adverse effects of maternal depression child health by increasing his role as caretaker. If both parents are in poor mental health , the child may be at high risk for poor outcomes (J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2001;42:381-394).
I found a very interesting article about the prevalence of potential psychological disorder among fathers in New Zealand during their child's first six years of life. The associated financial, psychological and physical strain placed upon fathers trying to balance work and family can have an adverse impact on family life. The World Health Organization has realized the importance of research and their behaviors to improve mental outcomes among young children. Pacific peoples experience higher rates of mental illness than New Zealanders. This study found that employment and mental health were linked and that employment helps mental illness suffers in their recovery and decreases their dependence on services. Interestingly enough, discrimination in New Zealand was cited as a barrier to employment more than any other factor. Pacific approaches and understandings of mental illness differ from western perspectives, and some Pacific ethnic groups describe mental illness that are unique to their own particular culture.
Pacific Health Dialog Vol 15. No. 1. 2009