Background checks on adoptions?

Question

I just like to add on to the last person who posted background check question. What about the adoptive parent's mental health? would they still give someone a child for example if they have bipolar, depression?

Answer 1

I think it depends. I was a foster parent and am an adoptive parent and was never evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist. I was evaluated by a social worker who had a gazillion questions for me and they did cover mental illness history and all medications. I doubt they would allow a person with Bipolar Disorder to foster or adopt. However, a history of mild depression that is under control or they are on medication for it in most cases will still be approved with consent from your physician that states "John Doe does not have any illness or disabilities that would hinder his ability to parent a child. The wording is not exactly right but that is the basic idea. They are also looking at life expectancy and whether you will be able to parent the child to adulthood.

Answer 2

They take mental illness into consideration, yes. They will want to know how the illness expresses (suicide attempts? Delusions? Catatonia?), how and if it is being controlled, and usually require your doctor to write a letter stating your illness is not likely to result in a dangerous situation for you or a child.

Mental illness will preclude some people from adopting, but certainly not all and probably not even most.

Answer 3

Maybe, maybe not!  If the parent was on medication and stable and had not significant impairment from the disease, then probably yes.  But they would need to disclose it to the birthmother.  But if the parent was on disability, in and out of hospitals or treatment, then no.  Stability and health is the key here, with any disease.  The total picture must be considered, too.  I know of a family who applied and the mother was paraplegic.  A birthmother picked her partly because of that, thinking that maybe she would not have as many chances to be a parent!  : )    Another family, the father was terminally ill, but probably had 10 more years.  He was also selected, because the birthmother really loved them both and was also open to a single mom.

Answer 4

i think they will in such a situation