Semente – A Mental Health Promotion Program on Children of Parents with Mental Illness (COPMI)

Abstract

Introduction: The Mental Health Department (MHD) of Fernando Fonseca Hospital (HFF) assumes a public health and community model approach as a guiding principle for the provision of care to the population for which it is responsible. It also recognizes the development of preventive mental health programs as one of its missions. The funding by EEA Grants made it possible to develop “Semente”, a mental health promotion program for Children Of Parents with Mental Illness (COPMI).

Objectives: The authors propose to describe the “Semente” [seed] program, developed by the MHD of Fernando Fonseca Hospital. Background: COPMI  represent a population at high psychosocial risk,  namely neglect, abuse and dysfunctional family interactions that may be associated with family psychopathology, as well as greater risk of exposure to stigma and isolation. In order to prevent mental health problems in this population, family-centered approaches are recommended. These can be implemented by the professionals who are responsible for the treatment of patients with psychiatric illness, and their effectiveness is well documented.

Program description and implementation: “Semente” program’s main objectives are to promote mental health in COPMI, reinforce parenting skills in patients with mental illness and early identification of psychopathology in their children. Developed jointly by professionals of the Adult Psychiatry Service and the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, the program is structured in three levels of intervention according to the degree of psychosocial risk, in which the third level is therapeutic intervention. Through identification of risk and protective factors, professionals from the adult community mental health teams proposed preventive interventions to these families. A general and specific training plan for professionals was defined as also as an integrated care network.

Conclusions: “Semente” program allowed the implementation of a mental health promotion program in a vulnerable population, with higher risk of developing psychopathology, but easily accessible through their parents. It made it possible to intervene in the balance between risk and protective factors, which mediate the transgenerational transmission of psychopathology. For its sustainability, we highlight the strengthening of the articulation between child and adult psychiatry services and the professionals training. It is an innovative, sustainable and replicable program.