Does this really happen???

[HeidiAnn67]

I've just read the 2nd post on here today where the parent is afraid that CPS is going to be called because their child has Mental Health Issues.

Does this really happen???

I have 2 teen age sons who have had a variety of Mental Health Issues over the years. They've both received wonderful care and are both currently "doing good".

Never once did it cross my mind with either son, nor did it ever happen, that CPS would be called.

Are there really places in this country where CPS is sicked on parents just because their child has a Mental Health Issue? or are people on her just overly worried about this for some reason?

If they really do go after people for this, I'm sure glad I live where I do.
My sons received the help they needed from Mental Health experts and are doing wonderfully now, and never was it a "bad parenting" issue. Bad genetics maybe (being that their issues were sadly genetic), but not caused by being neglectful or abussive parents.

[Mama Dragon]

Yes, it does happen. Ignorant CPS workers are usually the cause, but the system is broken on top of that, so families with limited resources as well as have children with problems, really can get screwed over. Add in homeschooling, maybe not vaxing, you're looking at being labeled an abusive, neglectful parent who caused the child's problem.

[HeidiAnn67]

That is awful!

When families need help most it seems like they are at their most vulnerable against unwarrented attacks.

[mtiger]

Simply having a child with mental health issues is not likely to land one in the middle of CPS problems. It's when you add the rest in that people do take pause at what else may be going on.

But the bigger part of the picture is when/if the child becomes a danger to others.

[kathymuggle]

There are so many mandatory reporters out there...including hospitals, school, etc. I would be concerned about CPS...but it wouldn't deter me (unless I had the resources to do the whole thing private, in which case I would do so to maintain control and keep my life less complicated).

Mental illness can be very serious...if CPS has to/or ends up being involved to get you DC help, so be it.

[Shenjall]

With my ds' issues, we've dealt with alot of different people, and social workers were some of them. But they were social workers in the school system to help and they certainly did that! They helped alot and got us connected with some resources.
But during that time we've also had to call the police a few times and cfs was never called. We had our ds committed and cfs still wasnt called. We called them to get some help, and they did.
I admit, I was a little concerned about our nonvaxing, co-sleeping, etc ways, but one sw that I kept in contact with (from a support group) reminded me that I have nothing to worry about - I have healthy happy children and I'm the one asking for help.

However, there was one sw that was just......not right. I think shes been in her job a bit too long and bit too jaded to believe that the ex and I are good parents and didnt do any bad parenting to have my ds turn out this way.

I think whether or not you live in Canada or US may make a difference too...

[Stinkerbell]

Unfortunately, I have seen it happen more than once in my work as a nurse. There are protocols that hospitals have to follow and sometimes part of that sequence is involving CPS and/or Family Services. If the child in distress makes negative comments about his/her parents and/or accuses them of abuse, CPS can quickly overreact and sweep in. They have removed siblings and launched an investigation only to find out later that the child in crisis was just angry and volatile and spewing lies to direct his anger.

I, for one, am terrified of them. I live a healthy, normal life and have no cause for concern but I've seen them swoop in and destroy a family in the span of an hour. I cant place blame on any one person or group but at least here in my state they are horribly overworked, understaffed, have limited resources and that all leads to shoddy work. It's unfortunate for everyone. In my state they have found children dead of abuse and neglect in the care of CPS (foster homes and such) but they also find cases of healthy families being kicked when they are down.

[*caitlinsmom*]

Generally CPS gets involved if there is a perception that the parents aren't doing enough to treat the mental health issues.

Like one of the other posters said, there are a lot of manditory reporters out there... school personnel, therapists, doctors and hospital staff, etc.

[<~*MamaRose*~>]

I too have noticed the worry over Children's Aide getting into peoples business but I just chalked it up to maybe things are different in the US. I have NEVER known anyone to have any negative drama with cps that came out of nowhere.