Mentally ill parents in psychiatric outpatient care: results of the study ‘HELP-S for Children’

Knowledge about mentally ill parents, particularly in psychiatric outpatient care is scarce. The study presented here aims to investigate the characteristics of mentally ill parents with minor children in psychiatric outpatient care. All outpatients with minor children, who came to a psychiatrist's practice in Saxony, Germany, at an appointed date filled out a questionnaire (including diagnosis, sociodemographic data, perceived needs and usage of health care system). Data were analysed using SPSS 18.0. The study sample (n = 128) was characterized by a high percentage of women (75%), and high rates of depression (53.1%), anxiety disorder (19.5%) and addiction (10.9%). The main difference between mothers and fathers was the significantly higher rate of custody in mothers. Of the sample, 21.2% of the children of the mentally ill parents (n = 41) had already received treatment because of psychological or behavioural problems. Mentally ill mothers are more likely to retain a caretaking role in their children's lives. Mentally ill fathers are more likely to have an inpatient stay after the birth of the first child. Treatment rates of 21.2% of children of mentally ill parents concerning psychological or behavioural difficulties are alarmingly high. Therefore, psychiatric outpatient care as the biggest part of psychiatric standard care in Germany should get more attention in research and care for mentally ill parents and their children.