Improving services for parents with psychiatric disabilities: three new opportunities in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation.

Despite many challenges, recent developments in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation offer opportunities for an increased focus on serving parents with psychiatric disabilities and their children. One such trend is the growth of psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) programs that serve children and youth. The new Certificate in Children's Psychiatric Rehabilitation program offers practitioners education and training to meet the needs of children and families. Another opportunity can be found in the recent growth of family services in PSR programs for veterans with serious mental health problems. The Veterans Administration's new Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services model explicitly includes family members in supporting veterans and acknowledges the need to deliver direct services to their spouses, children, and parents. A third relevant trend is the emergence of a new generation of recovery-oriented PSR services for mothers and fathers. Opportunities for enhanced services are provided in particular by self-help, peer support programs for parents with lived experience.