Call for papers: Opportunities for mental health professionals to support families navigating serious mental illness

• Michelle D Sherman, PhD LP ABPP
• Shirley Glynn, PhD ABPP

Decades of research have supported the notion that family members are key players in the experience of serious mental illness. Historically blamed for their contributions to the illness, families are increasingly being seen as helpful historians, advocates, and important partners in the journey of recovery. Research has also revealed that family involvement in care, across a range of approaches, can have positive impacts for both the consumer and family member. However, family participation does not occur in the majority of cases with adult mental illness. Further, training programs of many mental health professions devote minimal attention to this topic, leaving clients often feeling frustrated and alone when well-meaning clinicians lack expertise and resources.

We are inviting submissions of scientific papers broadly focused on this topic: opportunities for mental health professionals to support families navigating serious mental illness. We are focusing on the late teen/adult experience of serious mental illness (psychosis, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD), but are not addressing issues surrounding serious emotional disturbance among children. We are interested in pieces that span the developmental phases of illness (initial diagnosis, middle period, aging) as well as address various family roles (parent, sibling, offspring, etc.)

Below are some topics that especially interest us; however, this list is not exhaustive. We invite inquiries about potential submissions:

• innovative programs supporting families (with some program evaluation) or rigorous evaluation of established programs that teach families evidence-based skills to promote recovery
• couples/family interventions for serious mental illness/PTSD
• parenting interventions for those living with serious mental illness /PTSD
• roles and effectiveness of family peer navigators/advocates
• innovative undergraduate/graduate/community training programs on engaging/supporting families in the context of serious mental illness/PTSD

Consistent with all articles published in Couple and Family Psychology: Research & Practice, we request that papers for this special issue include a strong emphasis on clinical applications, as well as a theoretical framework; all submissions must include an “Implications for Practice" Section. We are particularly interested in original research but will also consider systematic reviews or theoretical/conceptual papers that are novel and add to existing literature. We also strongly encourage submissions that focus on diverse populations in working with couples and families.   Further, articles coproduced by mental health professionals and those with lived experience are encouraged. 

 Submissions for full articles should be no more than 30 pages in length and for brief reports should not exceed 15 pages.   This includes cover page, abstract, references, tables, figures, and graphs.

This special issue will include 6 to 8 articles plus an introduction to the special issue by the guest editors. One of the articles will be an invited first-person account by three mothers whose adult children manage serious mental illness, giving voice to their lived experiences with mental health providers and opportunities to improve care. Articles will be released “online first” as accepted. When the full collection of articles is ready, a print issue of the journal will follow.

Logistics:

• manuscripts for this special issue are due March 1, 2027
• manuscripts should be submitted through the journal’s manuscript submission portal using the “Special Issue Article” type
• specify in the cover letter that the submission is intended for the special issue
• follow the journal's instructions to authors for information about how to prepare an article, which can be found on the journal's web page

All papers will be initially screened by the editors, and papers that fit well with the theme of this special issue will be sent out for blind peer review.

Questions regarding the special issue should be addressed to the Guest Editors Michelle Shermanopens in new window or Shirley Glynnopens in new window.