Most of us can agree that while divorce is hard, co-parenting is often even harder. As a Collaborative family law attorney and certified mediator who has personal and professional experience with divorce and co-parenting, I’ll be the first to admit that this is true. These processes can become even more challenging and complex when there are mental health concerns with either, or both, spouses and/or their children. 

Experiencing divorce can take a toll on mental health in countless ways. As a divorcee and divorce attorney, I know this all too well. When I went through my own divorce almost 13 years ago, it was an emotional journey that affected my overall wellbeing. When I founded ROAD to RESOLUTION, a divorce mediation and collaborative family law firm in Charlotte in 2011, I committed to helping my community through divorce in a healthier way.

Conflict from divorce is known to cause an increased risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, divorce is considered the second highest stressor of someone’s life. This research, as well as countless other studies, proves that there are great concerns for mental health and wellness while someone is experiencing divorce.