The health care experiences of mothers with serious mental illness

Almost one in five British Columbians will experience mental illness during their lifetime and nearly three per cent of the population suffers from severe and persistent mental illness. Research reveals that mothers with serious mental illness face stigma, isolation, poverty, the challenges of single parenthood, problems accessing affordable and safe housing as well as difficulty finding and keeping employment. The health care system has an important role to play in supporting mothers with serious mental illness. But little is known about the policies and services that are effective in supporting women with serious mental illness. Tasnim Nathoo is exploring the health care experiences of mothers with serious mental illness and the barriers they encounter when trying to access support. Tasnim will use this information to develop recommendations on how BC communities can better structure health services to meet the needs of mothers with mental health issues.