The Mental Health America of Hawai`i, in partnership with the Hawaii Children's Trust Fund, the Consuelo Foundation, and the Mental Health Transformation Grant, will hold a community meeting from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the state Capitol Auditorium to bring to light the challenges facing parents with a serious mental illness who are raising children and the impact of the mental illness on the children and the family functioning.

The event is free and open to the public.

Children raised by parents with serious mental illness often suffer in silence, event organizers said. These are the "Invisible Children." For the parents, the challenge of coping with a mental illness while trying to raise children can be overwhelming. Those outside the immediate family circle may be not aware of the turmoil and difficulties that go on in the family, until it is too late. Often, either the child or the parent is removed from the home, resulting in additional emotional trauma.

People who grew up with a mentally ill parent, parents who have suffered from mental illness, providers, advocates, representatives from community organizations, and interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. Space is limited so interested individuals should register ahead of time. E-mail darock@mentalhealth-hi.org or call 808-272-0947, to request a registration form.

The purposes of the forum are to: 1) Give voice to members of families with a mentally ill parent who have suffered or are suffering in silence; 2) Learn what supports are needed to strengthen these families; 3) Generate interest and awareness about the needs of these families; and 4) Organize a group of advocates who will speak out on the needs of these families, especially the children.

Presenters include Martha Rasmus, the director and founder of the Invisible Children's Project in Wisconsin; 'ukulele player and teacher, Roy Sakuma, who grew up in a household with a mentally ill mother and brother; adults who were raised in families that had a parent with a serious mental illness; and a parent who suffered from mental illness.