This thesis was initiated by FinFami Uusimaa ry which offers counselling and support to people with mental health disorders or whose friends or family members are affected by mental disorders. The purpose of this thesis was to write information about children who take care of their mentally ill family members and share information about how the illness affects the child. The information was published on their website and social media channel.

The theoretical part consisted of preventive child protection, the Finnish Child Welfare Act, Finns’ mental health and the role it plays when a child’s family member is diagnosed with a mental disorder. The preventive child protection services are consists of comprise provided by the child health clinics, early childhood education, school, youth work, social care services and healthcare services. It has been found out that in these services there is a lack of quality.

The goal of this thesis was to increase the visibility of the children called young carers who take care of their family members and show how its impacts on the children and discuss the child’s rights in the situation. The purpose of the thesis was to produce a guidebook to the website of FinFami Uusimaa ry. The name of the guidebook is The best interests of the child when a family member is diagnosed with mental illness. It is meant for both families and professionals. The guidebook was made by co-operating with the association’s specialists and staff. It discussed the child’s rights to be recognised in preventive child welfare services.