Abstract
Caring for a child with a diagnosed mental health condition not only affects the child, but impacts the caregivers of these children in a variety of ways. The purpose of this project was to explore caregivers' experiences raising a child with a diagnosed mental health condition, specifically looking at what supports and services are available to them, how these services and supports are utilized, and what challenges and barriers they encounter. Using a qualitative design, six participants (five professional and one familiar caregiver) were interviewed regarding their experience assisting in or raising a child with a mental health condition. Data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive approaches in which categories were first developed from the interview responses and were then linked to related literature. The findings indicated that in fact there are supports and services available to these caregivers; however, there are often barriers in reaching these supports and services. Caregivers spoke to both challenges and rewards identified in raising children with a mental health condition. These findings suggest ways that mental health professionals can assist and support these familial caregivers, identify barriers and reduce stigma surrounding children's mental health conditions, and finally ways that supports and services can be made more accessible.