The VIA Family 2.0 - a Family Based Intervention for Families with Parental Mental Illness

Launched by MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE CAPITAL REGION, DENMARK · Mar 12, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The VIA Family 2.0 trial is studying how a special support program can help families where at least one parent has a mental illness. This program aims to improve the well-being of children, reduce stress for parents, and create a healthier family environment. Researchers will include around 870 children, ages 0-17, from families in specific regions of Denmark where one parent has received treatment for a mental health issue in the past three years.

Eligible families must have a biological child living with a parent who has a mental illness, and both parents may need to provide consent if they share custody. Participants can expect to be part of a two-year program that includes meetings and support designed to address their unique needs. The trial will begin recruiting families in March 2024, and it aims to provide valuable insights into how such interventions can make a difference in the lives of children and families affected by mental health challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • At least one of the parents must be living in Capital Region or in Region North, Denmark, and at least one biological child under age 18 must be living with one of the parents. Only biological children of the parent with at mental health problem can be included.
• • The parent with the mental health problems has at some point been diagnosed in the secondary sector and has within the last three years been treated in the primary sector (GP or private psychiatric clinic) or in the secondary sector (hospital psychiatry).
• • Patients with substance abuse can only be included if substance abuse is a secondary diagnosis to another mental illness disorder being treated within the secondary sector during the last three years.
• • All adult participants must give informed consent. Both parents will need to consent in case of shared custody, but do not have to participate if they are reluctant to do so.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Not fulfilling inclusion criteria
• • Not giving informed consent
• • Living at Læsø or at Bornholm, Denmark
• • Children placed in care outside of the home fulltime in institution of professional family care (the family is not excluded if the children placed in part time in care outside home or fulltime family care within the family)
• • No risk factors found after baseline assessment (as described in the stepped care model) at baseline - these families can be re-referred if their situation changes.
• • Ongoing intensive family treatment in the municipality (for example staying at an institution for parental evaluation by the authorities)?