Making the appropriate referrals is extremely important in such cases. However, once you have assisted an adult with mental illness in reaching people who can address his or her needs, you will probably still be interacting with this person, perhaps very closely. You may be required to share some decision-making regarding his or her children. You and your clients may face difficult situations that require you to interpret, understand, and react to an adult's actions when those actions may be confusing, or even frightening, due to the adult's illness. It is therefore important to have some basic knowledge and skills regarding adult mental disorders.
Mental illnesses are extremely varied.
Since your client is the child, you aren't there to treat the adult's illness. However, increasing your knowledge can prepare you to work more effectively with adults who are mentally ill. Learn about Mental Illness. Consider reading further about mental illness, especially any particular illness that affects the adults with whom you work. You can discuss these issues with mental health professionals, remembering to respect the confidentiality of the adult in question.