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Background: There is a growing understanding of the importance of having a family perspective in treatment and rehabilitation of patients with mental illness. We have carried out several projects showing that information and guidance on mental illness improves communication within the family and reduces conflicts. We did not find any research that describes experiences while participating in parallel groups. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the opinions and experiences of parents - where one of them is suffering from mental illness - participating in parallel group sessions. Method: A qualitative exploratory and descriptive design with a phenomenographic approach to the pairs of parents interviewed has been used. Four pairs of parents were interviewed. The data analyses are based on Alexanderson's four phases. Results: In the analysis, four description categories emerged. The informants experienced the group sessions as unique, liberating and useful for the whole family. The informants in the study had different experiences with the mental health care, and all wanted more information and guidance. Conclusion: Where one parent has a mental disorder, a parallel group meeting for parents and children has been shown to be a positive experience for the family. The central aspect of our study that parents have emphasised as important is that the group sessions for parents and children were at the same time and place.

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