The most common mental illnesses reported are depression and anxiety. Most parents with depression or anxiety can still have full custody of their children, or with the case of separated parents regular contact. As with all illnesses, the level of contact depends on your symptoms and how they impact on your ability to parent appropriately; an example of this could be if your condition affects your ability to leave your home and therefore unable to take your child to school, or even to the park. This would be clear to the court
that you could not fully meet the child's needs. If this is the case with you, if you are honest with the court and explain that you have a support network of friends and family who are willing to step in and support however necessary; this will give you some time to relax, until you are able to care for your children as you were before the current episode.
Having a mental illness does not mean that you cant be a good parent as long as you show the court you are able to manage your mental health effectively, so that the child's fill needs are met.
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