Sex Education Groups in a Psychiatric Day Hospital: Clinical Observations

Abstract

Although the prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high among individuals diagnosed with severe and chronic mental illness, the topic of sexuality is often not part of standard psychiatric assessment. Discussions about sexuality could improve patients’ quality of life. This article outlines the development and implementation of a sex education group for patients admitted to a psychiatric day hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, along with clinical observations. The series was well received by patients who felt that attending the group helped normalize their sexual concerns by providing a safe place in which to learn and to talk about sexuality.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Drs. Irving M. Binik and Allan Fielding for their valuable comments and input throughout the preparation of the manuscript version of this article.