Name: Ray Tischio

Title of Project: No Rain, No Flowers

Title of Research Paper: Examining Parental Mental Illness in Family Law
Synopsis of Research Paper:
Throughout my paper, I aimed to portray the understated implications of parental mental
illness involving children and their best interest, as well as the judicial role in assessing
situations and establishing a healthy environment for the family, while effectively
considering the varying effects of mental illness known today. Balanced with the best
interest of the child is the parental rights of the mentally ill posing a need for court
officials to delve further into each familys situation in context, and assess varying
circumstances case by case. Understanding the implications of parental mental health
may better our understanding of the family law systems focus and its officials goals in
each case. Due to the judges discretionary role in the family law system, the potential for
grey area within this discipline of the law is likely. Further, the potential for harmful
rulings in determining a familys suitable arrangement many inflict damage in the childparent relationship, as well as child development. Aspects of the family situation and the
effects of parental mental illness must be emphasized in assessing each case.
Project Description:
I chose to concentrate my tangible project on the children affected by parental mental
illness. A majority of my papers conclusion dealt with the importance of child outreach.
Due to the sensitivity and specificity of my topic, I decided against hosting an event.
Rather, I wrote a book addressed towards children of late elementary school/ middle
school. I illustrated and wrote my short story, creating a plot in which a student
undergoing home stress finally decides to meet and speak with his guidance counselor
emphasizing the need for an outlet, and reassuring children they are not alone in this
issue. After creation, I published my book for online sales (all profits going to NAMI),
and additionally ordered it to donate to local elementary and middle school guidance
departments. My goal is for students to be assured while struggling with this issue, and
have a form of outreach to establish their potential in themselves and their future, despite
adversity.
Relationship between Project and Paper:
In the conclusion of my research paper, I emphasized the need for child outreach in cases
involving parental mental illness. Therefore, I incorporated my project into this step.
Throughout the researching process, I came across published articles from those involved
with social work. From this, I became aware of the lack of child outreach to those in the
middle school years. There are few resources on this topic; however, what is available is
mainly addressed to younger children (picture books), and informational outreach for
those who are older. Upon discovery, I wanted to create my own form of child outreach
targeted to those who are often overlooked in family law cases involving mental illness.

My background experience in the area:

I have no background experience in this topic, besides for also completing my Ethics and
Law final on this subject.
In my personal life, I have experienced the family law process first-hand, involving court
orders on parental visitation, protective orders, and guardian ad litems. Throughout my 4th
and 5th years in elementary school, the guidance counselor was very involved with my
situation. From my experience, Id like to emphasize the topic itself and the importance
of informing children, rather than leaving them to produce their own reasoning. I feel it
very important to reassure children of their potential for success in their own life, despite
adversity, as well as conveying that they are not the reason for their parents mental
illness, or their home-life struggles.
Special things Id like judges to consider and look for:
Id like the judges to consider the understated implications of parental mental illness on
child development. Child outreach is important, and should be concentrated on in legal
rulings involving parental mental health. It is possible to allow adversity to affect
children in healthy and positive ways; making the children of our society into stronger
people capable of success, rather than traumatized by childhood confusion.