Peer support for children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) in Australia: responses from children, parents and facilitators of the CHAMPS peer support program

Objective: Early interventions for children whose parents have a mental illness, comprising the provision of age-appropriate information about mental health, positive coping strategies, and meaningful social and emotional connections, are identified as preventive interventions for childhood health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CHAMPS (Children and Mentally HI Parents) peer support program that is designed to connect, support and educate this cohort of children and their parents/carers. Method: The CHAMPS program was reviewed and co-designed by clinicians, parent participants, peer workers and children in 2017 and 2019. The revised modularised program incorporates peer facilitators and shared lived experience as a way for participants to build understanding of their own experiences and strategies for coping. Children, parent/carers and program facilitators were interviewed for this study. Results: This paper presents findings from interviews conducted with 8- to 12-year-old children (N = 20) who completed CHAMPS; parents/carers (N = 17) and program facilitators (N = 10). Children reported that the program lessened isolation and feelings of self-blame for their parents' struggles; and parents reported benefits from supported communication with their children in explaining their diagnosis and in understanding the needs of their child. Discussion: It was concluded that early intervention peer support programs for children can have multiple positive impacts on the family, highlighting the importance of psychoeducation and improved family communication, as well as connections to peers for supporting families where parents have a mental illness.