Is It Possible To Adopt If You Have A Mental Illness?

Hello everyone,

 

I hope this post finds you healthy and blessed.

 

When we started our adoption journey, four years ago, we were overwhelmed with all the paperwork, legal documents, pictures, stories, classes and the home study.

It was during the home study that my mental health came into question. To give you a bit of background, I was diagnosed in the fall of 2016 with moderate to severe depression. I underwent treatment – anti-depressants – and therapy. When we were ready to start the process, my depression was under control and I had received a clean bill of health from both my family doctor and therapist.

 

I should add that we adopted domestically, meaning that our children were born in the USA. Why does it matter? Because when it comes to medical history, more specifically mental illness, where you choose to adopt can be the difference between an approval and a clear rejection.

 

As I searched the web for articles or anything related to both adoption and mental illness, I came across one of my favorites websites: “Creating A Family”. It is a fun, knowledgeable and resourceful website to peruse if you or someone you know is adopting. They also have a podcast, which tackles everything from infertility, treatments, adoption, surrogacy, transracial adoptions, and many more.

 

It is clear to say that there is still a stigma when it comes to mental illness. But, it will comfort you to know that it does not affect your chances of adopting. But that depends on where you wish to pursue an adoption process.

 

If you wish to proceed with a domestic adoption, having a mental illness or history of mental illness should not, on average, be an issue. Where it can be more problematic, is when the condition is unmanageable or at a point where it could hamper your parental faculties. As such, you may not be given the green light to go ahead with an adoption, at that moment.

 

In the event you wish to proceed with an international adoption, having a mental illness – even a history of it – can be, at times, a clear rejection. In some countries, as in our own, there are certain rules and regulations that apply when it comes to adoption. Some countries are more rigid while others go on a case-by case evaluation. For example, in South Korea, you cannot even apply if there is a history of mental illness or one of the applicants is currently undergoing treatment for one. Whereas, in Haiti, your file will be evaluated and may be accepted, depending on the circumstances of your mental illness.*

 

For this reason, it is extremely important that you, on your own, and with the help of an adoption agency, do your due diligence. Make sure you have researched international adoption requirements before spending any money and time on the process.

 

Telling someone you have depression is like getting naked. You feel exposed and vulnerable. Telling our social worker about my depression was frightening, but at the same time, I was not about to lie about who I was and what I had gone through. I knew I was better and both my family doctor and therapist vouched for me and gave me a clean bill of health.

 

My depression stemmed from my infertility. I had been infertile for years, which started with a miscarriage, and I was at a loss. No treatments were working and my last option was surgery, which I underwent a few months after being diagnosed with depression. Years of feeling like a broken vessel took a toll on my depression and me. But, I was lucky and took charge early on. I was, at first, resistant to taking medication – which by the way, was awful but effective – but realized that I needed help; medical help. Eventually, the darkness was lifted and I was smiling and laughing again.

 

To all out there who want to adopt but have a mental illness or a history of it, don’t be scared. You can adopt. It is very much possible, if you choose a domestic adoption. If you decide to go with an international adoption, it is not impossible, but be prepared that it may not work. Some countries are more loose when it comes to health and if your desire is to adopt from another country, I invite you to consult the “comparison chart” that “Creating a Family” has on their website: https://creatingafamily.org/adoption/comparison-country-charts/

 

Are you currently considering adopting but have a mental illness? Don’t let go of your dream of expanding your family. It may not be easy and past hurts may resurface, but it should not stop you from going forward with your dream of becoming a parent for the first time or wishing to grow your family. I hope this post has given you some hope and I encourage you to check out the “Creating A Family” website and even listen to their podcast.

 

Until my next post, be still in waiting for whatever it is that you are waiting for.

 

SM

 

* this information was taken from the following link: https://creatingafamily.org/adoption/comparison-country-charts/