Parents' mental health and psychiatric expertise in child welfare family rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Parents' mental health disorders are not well known within child welfare services. Aims: First, to assess the mental health disorders and treatment needs of parents participating in the child welfare-centred family rehabilitation; Second, to evaluate the work of psychiatric nurses and the effectiveness of consultations by psychiatrists in such cases. Methods: During 2010, a total of 141 parents participated in child welfare-centred family rehabilitation. The primary psychiatric disorders of parents not currently receiving psychiatric care were assessed, as was the appropriate treatment for them. Results: The majority of parents in child welfare-centred family rehabilitation suffered from severe mental health disorders, often unrecognized and untreated. As much as 93% of parents were referred to mental health or substance abuse treatment, almost half of them to secondary care. The work of psychiatric nurses and consultations by psychiatrists were found to be useful. Conclusions: Most parents suffered from severe unrecognized and untreated mental health disorders. There is a high demand for adult-psychiatric expertise in child welfare.

• Child protection
• Child welfare
• Mental health disorders
• Parent

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Mental Well-being in Vantaa project, a part of the National Development Plan of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Declaration of interest:

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.