Children of Depressed Parents: Mechanisms of Risk and Implications for Treatment

by Sherryl H. Goodman and Ian H. Gotlib
(Publisher: American Psychological Association, 2002)

Mental health experts present 12 chapters exploring mechanisms of transmission that increase the risk for developing depression and identifying interventions to alleviate that risk. Topics include the mechanisms of risk, moderators of risk, and intervention recommendations.

Parenting Well When You’re Depressed: A Complete Resource for Maintaining a Healthy Family

by Joanne Nicholson, Alexis D. Henry, Jonathan C. Clayfield and Susan M. Phillips
(Publisher: New Harbinger Publications, 2001)

This guide, based on more than 10 years of study of parents with depression and their families, offers strategies, action plans, and resources to help these parents provide for their children’s healthy development. For more information about the book, go to http://www.parentingwell.info/book.html.

Beyond the Blues

by Dr. Shoshana S. Bennett and Pec Indman
(Publisher: Moodswings, 2003)

This book is for women who are suffering from depression during pregnancy (antenatal depression) or postpartum depression. You can find additional information about the book at http://www.beyondtheblues.com/

Out of the Darkened Room: When a Parent is Depressed: Protecting the Children and Strengthening the Family

by Dr. William R. Beardslee
(Publisher: Little, Brown & Company, 2002)

This book presents Dr. Beardslee's effective program to promote resilience in children of parents with depression.

Hand-Me-Down Blues : How to Stop Depression from Spreading in Families

by Michael D. Yapko
(Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2000)

This book shows the effects of depression in a larger context—not just family relationships, but also how family members often take their learned behaviors into school, work, and other social relationships. Each chapter contains summarized bullet points and practical suggestions that turn a complicated topic into one easily digested by busy parents.

Nothing to Hide

by Peggy Gillespie
(Publisher: The New Press, 2002)

This book features portraits and first-person accounts of mentally ill people and their families.

Burden of Sympathy

by David Allen Karp
(Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2002)

This book presents stories of families that have survived depression. The author combines medical and sociological studies with quotations from various people from around the country.

How You Can Survive When They're Depressed: Living and Coping with Depression Fallout

by Anne Sheffield
(Publisher: Random House, 1999)

This book provides information, guidance, support and help for people who live with and/or love someone with a depressive illness.

Sorrow's Web

by Anne Sheffield
(Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2002)

The author draws on her experience of growing up with a depressed mother and then, years later, of becoming a depressed mother herself.

The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens about Overcoming Tough Times

by Edited by Al Desetta, M.A. and Sybil Wolin, Ph.D.
(Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., 2000)

This compilation is based on true stories written by teens for teens. The stories are organized in chapters based on the seven specific strengths or resiliencies (insight, independence, relationships, initiative, creativity, humor, and morality) identified in people who have successfully struggled against the negative effects of hardship.

When Someone You Love Has a Mental Illness: A Handbook for Family, Friends, and Caregivers

by Rebecca Woolis and Agnes Hatfied
(Publisher: Tarcher, 2003)

This resource features 50 proven Quick Reference guides for the millions of parents, siblings, and friends of people with mental illness, as well as professionals in the field

Why Are You So Sad?: A Childs Book about Parental Depression

by Beth Andrews
(Publisher: American Psychological Association, 2002)

This book is especially for a young child whose parent is experiencing clinical depression. In simple language, the text defines depression by describing actual family situations that might illustrate what the parent is experiencing or how mom or dad might be behaving.

Madness and Loss of Motherhood: Sexuality, Reproduction, and Long-Term Mental Illness

by Roberta Apfel and Maryellen Handel
(Publisher: American Psychiatric Publishing, Incorporated, 1993)

This book provides comprehensive information about the clinical needs of parents with mental illness, along with clinical case material and guidelines for care.

Troubled Journey: Coming to Terms with the Mental Illness of a Sibling or Parent

by Diane T. Marsh, MD, and Rex M. Dickens
(Publisher: Tarcher, 1997)

This book explores the nature of mental illness—especially schizophrenia, major depression, and manic depression—and provides family members with tools for coping with mental illness in their lives.

Wish Upon A Star: A Story for Children with a Parent Who is Mentally Ill

by Pamela Lashkin and Addie Moskowitz
(Publisher: American Psychological Association, 1991)

The authors of this book, targeted to children age 5 through 7, discuss mental illness and hospitalization, and write about building a support system for a child and parent.

It Won't Last Forever: A Child's Book About Living with a Depressed Parent

by Doris Sanford
(Publisher: Zonderkidz, 1993)

For children ages 5 through 10, this book shows how a young girl handles everyday life when her mother is depressed.

What Happened to Mommy?

by Renee Fran
(Publisher: D. R. Eastman, 1994)

The author guides the child reader, whose parent has depression, in dealing with self-blame, and the process of getting help and recovery.