Deinstitutionalization of the Mentally Ill I chose to read the article, “Parenting Among Mothers with Mental Illness”. This article speaks about mothers with serious mental issues or SMI. While some mothers may have SMI before child birth, there are times they acquire SMI after child birth. Deinstitutionalization of this sort has helped the mothers to obtain services outside of mental hospitals that help them to cope with the issues and stay in their homes with their children. As long as the mother adheres to their program for their SMI the community does not feel the burden of having to place these children in foster care or in the legal systems which can cause problems later in life for the children. The programs that are community-based and provide local rehabilitation along with support groups can encourage these mothers along with giving the support and guidance these mothers need in raising their children. If deinstitutionalization had not taken place the problems of homelessness, crime, and diseases would be prevalent. We all know how important it is to have a healthy happy home and as the saying goes, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t no one happy” rings true. For a child to grow to be a happy healthy adult the chances are greater if their mother is present and with a stable mental state. Although dealing with mental illness makes the challenge of motherhood a greater challenge, there are programs that help to relieve some of this heavy burden. There are