Family-based intervention for families with parental mental illness

The VIA Family 2.0 Study: a Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Family-based Interventions for Children Born to Parents with Mental Disorders

Not applicable Interventional Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital · NCT06312410

This study is testing a new program to help families where one parent has a mental illness, to see if it can better support their children and prevent problems.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1452 (estimated)
Ages0 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorMental Health Centre Copenhagen, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Copenhagen, Hellerup)
Trial IDNCT06312410 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The VIA Family 2.0 program is designed to support families where at least one parent has a mental illness, aiming to prevent negative outcomes for their children. This large randomized controlled trial will involve families living in the Capital Region and North Region of Denmark, focusing on early intervention strategies. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by children of parents with mental health issues, providing them with necessary support and resources. A detailed study protocol will be published in 2024 to outline the specific methodologies and interventions used.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include families with at least one parent diagnosed with a mental health disorder and a biological child under 18 living with them.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a biological child living with them or whose mental health issues are not being actively treated may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the mental health and overall well-being of children living with parents who have mental illness.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies focusing on family-based interventions for children of parents with mental illness have shown promising results, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion 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)?

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen, Hellerup

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions ChildParentsMental DisorderChild of Impaired ParentsPreventive Health Servicesfamily based interventionearly interventionfamilial high risk
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.