Parental Mental Illness in the Family Court

This thesis explores how parental mental illness is considered in the Australian Family Court. It brings together the views of judges, Court Child Experts, and parents to show how mental health concerns are assessed and how stigma and structural issues can affect outcomes. Through interviews and a review of the existing research, it highlights gaps in support, inconsistencies in evidence, and the pressures faced by parents. The thesis makes practical recommendations to improve court processes and better support families navigating mental illness in legal settings.