Millions of adults in the U.S. deal with mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. Divorced and unmarried parents often have questions about how mental health can influence the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. Illinois courts make every child custody decision with the child’s best interests in mind. So, if a parent suffers from a mental health condition that affects his or her ability to care for the child and keep the child safe, this can certainly influence the court’s decision. However, Illinois law clearly states that parental conduct that does not affect the child should not be considered during custody determinations.

Navigating child custody and divorce issues when a parent has a mental illness can be complex and confusing. The best way to receive trustworthy guidance is to speak to a family law attorney experienced in complex child-related issues.

Allegations of Mental Health Disorders in Illinois Family Law Cases

If a parent is concerned about the other parent’s mental health, he or she can request that the parent undergo a professional mental health evaluation. Parents who request a mental health evaluation should know that they may also be required to undergo the assessment. They may also be required to pay for the cost of the evaluations. During an evaluation, the evaluator may ask the parent about his or her thoughts and feelings, assess the parent’s cognitive functioning, and observe the parent’s behavior.

 Sexual harassment is considered discrimination. It is prohibited by both Illinois and federal laws. Unfortunately, not everyone complies with the laws designed to keep our workplaces safe. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, there were just under 100,000 harassment complaints between 2018 and 2021.

In an effort to combat the ongoing problem of workplace sexual harassment, the city of Chicago has expanded sexual harassment laws and anti-harassment training requirements. Chicago companies are now requiring bystander training that teaches people how to prevent, recognize, and report harassment.

Teaching People to Intervene on Behalf of Sexual Harassment Victims

A bystander is someone who notices potential sexual harassment. For example, an employee may overhear a watercooler conversation in which a worker is making offensive sexual remarks to another employee. Or, a manager may notice that one of his or her subordinates is clearly uncomfortable sitting next to a certain individual during all-staff meetings. Perhaps a female employee goes to another female employee for advice after a male supervisor will not stop asking her out on dates.

For many, being a professional musician is a dream occupation. However, more and more information is being uncovered about the true nature of the music industry. HBO recently released The Idol, which explores the darker side of being a famous musician. The docuseries focuses on sexual harassment, abuse, and manipulation suffered by musicians in pursuit of stardom. The series comes just after former pop sensation R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years for sex trafficking.

Sexual harassment in the music industry is not a new phenomenon. Fortunately, people are beginning to take sexual harassment allegations seriously. If you were sexually harassed, it is important to take action immediately. If you report the sexual harassment to your employer and the problem is not rectified, the next step may be to take legal action in the form of a sexual harassment claim.

Working in the Music Industry is Less Glamorous Than Many Realize

Being a singer, songwriter, music producer, or musician may seem glamourous. However, many people working in the music industry describe the experience as anything but glamourous. Many musicians report being sexually harassed or even sexually assaulted by individuals of power. After years of struggling to “make it,” some sexual harassment victims are afraid that reporting sexual harassment will mean the end of their careers. Unfortunately, sexual harassment usually escalates. It begins with a few comments or seemingly harmless jokes. If the subject of the harassment tolerates the harassment, the perpetrator amplifies his or her behavior. This is why it is so important to speak up the first time someone does or says something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Sexual harassment may involve anything from offensive “jokes” to unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature. Multiple state and federal laws prohibit sexual harassment. Unfortunately, workers in a wide range of industries continue to experience sexual harassment.

If you have experienced sexual harassment – or even just behavior that made you feel uncomfortable, it is important to speak up. Do not let the harassment continue. File a complaint according to your company’s sexual harassment policy. If the harassment does not stop or if your employer retaliates against you, you should speak to a lawyer about taking legal action.

As you deal with the situation, make sure to avoid the following common mistakes.

Google Trends shows that searches for the term “narcissist” have increased dramatically in the last decade. More and more people are recognizing narcissistic behaviors in their friends, family, or coworkers and then using the popular search engine to learn more.

If you are divorcing someone who fits the description of a narcissist, you are likely in store for a bumpy ride. Fortunately, there are many tools and resources you can use to stay sane during the divorce process. As you prepare for the split, start building a “toolkit” of useful skills, resources, and individuals who can help you throughout the divorce.  

Why Divorcing Someone with Narcissistic Tendencies is So Difficult

The term “narcissist” technically refers to someone with narcissistic personality disorder. However, the term is often used informally to refer to someone who is selfish, unsympathetic, or cruel. Divorcing someone with narcissistic tendencies will likely be exhausting and complicated. He or she may refuse to cooperate with the divorce process, gaslight you, or even threaten you. Narcissists may hide assets or lie about their income on financial paperwork during the divorce. It is important to be prepared.