Utilization of a Specialized Outpatient Service for Parents with Mental Disorders

Abstract

Patients with mental disorders have a high need for support during the peripartum period. Only few outpatient services have specialized on parents with mental disorders. This study assesses a newly established outpatient unit. We analyzed the population utilizing the outpatient service for parents with psychiatric disorders (N=279) at the psychiatric university hospital of Charité at St. Hedwig-hospital in Berlin, Germany, from June 2017 until December 2021. The service was mainly utilized by individuals with affective disorders, a higher education and good compliance. Patients with migration background started psychotherapy less often. The data indicate a good acceptance of a specialized outpatient unit for parents with psychiatric disorders; however, it was mainly utilized by individuals with a higher socioeconomic status and less commonly by individuals with severe mental illness. More specialized treatment units for parents would be desirable.