my quesiton really is what do i tell the children?
exP their dad i suspect is on a downturn. i handed information to his GP who cited patient confidentiality but said she would follow up with him.
we have had no contact for about 10 days after his behaviour deteriorated, dc didnt want to see him and i sent him text urging him to seek help from GP. his friends also told me they had seen the same (depression again) and had told him same thing, to seek help.
.
i have a suspicion he does not wish to disclose any info to me - fair enough -
but what rights do the DC have to have info on their dad, e.g. whether he is being treated or not?
I am not expecting them to be given full medical history/precise treeatment/names of durgs, of course not.
but is a general "yes we seeing your daddy and we are helping him" - well is it reasonable to ask for? or not?
they are 8 and 10 (oldest is 14 but has v low mental age disabled). i have been saying to DC "dont worry, he is ill, he can get medication and therapy to make him better before you see him again".
am taking them to GP again next week (same practice) - to discuss whether they need referral for counselling to deal with all this. (tho they seem quite happy with no contact so far) .
i would like them to be told something - but unless his GP has asked him specifically what info to divulge - then presumably they will just say "patient confidentiality"??? and reveal nothing?
it is a whole new ballgame this time of not knowing anything.
what do they have a right to know about their father?
do they have a right to know something about their father or not?
will they have a right to know if he commits suicide?
i think they could for example be told "he is ill and is being treated"
or "he is fine"
or something?
or??
I really do not know - that is why I am asking....
what do they have a right to know?
what should they be told about their father?
or do I just continue with my imaginary "he is ill" until such time as he re-emerges "well" and demands to see them - or until they are told he has topped himself, should that be the outcome? presumably if that happens they will have a right to know?
am thinking - should they be informed he is say, in hospital?
or that he is seeking treatment to get better?
or just leave it nebulous?
"well we dont know if he is well or not. I think he is sick and that is why he scared you with his behaviour. but dont worry, he is getting help form the doctors".
but I cant say "he is getting help" if we not told?
it is better to make up something?
given that the evidence from his behaviour is that it is down to him sliding back into a major depressive type illness? (has been a pattern of ups and downs since the major crash involving self harm in 2007)
what do your children get told about the MH issues in your family?
he lives elsewhere - so maye that puts a different picture on it than if is someone living in same house?