Mental health service use among mothers involved in public family law proceedings: linked data cohort study in South London 2007-2019.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Mental health problems and substance misuse are common among the mothers of children who experience court-mandated placement into care in England, yet there is limited research characterising these health needs to inform evidence-based policy. In this descriptive study, we aimed to generate evidence about the type, severity, and timing of mental health and substance misuse needs among women involved in public family law proceedings concerning child placement into care ('care proceedings').

Methods

This is a retrospective, matched cohort study using linked family court and mental health service records for 2137 (66%) of the 3226 women involved in care proceedings between 2007 and 2019 in the South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Trust (SLaM) catchment area. We c

SUBMITTER: Pearson RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9477900 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature