(Economic) Evaluation of E-mental Health Interventions for Children of Parents with Mental Illness (e^3 COPMI).

DESIGN: We will conduct a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) in two parallel groups. The Kopstoring program will be compared with a waiting list control condition which reflects Care-As-Usual. The duration of the interventions is 8 weeks and the total time frame of the study will be six months, with a prolonged measurement of outcomes in the intervention group after 12 months. 50% of the participants receive the Kopstoring program; the others receive Care-As-Usual which usually consists of non-standardized care while they are waiting for six months. In the economic evaluations the additional costs and additional outcomes of the Kopstoring will be compared with Care-As-Usual. This economic evaluation will involve a combination of a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and a cost-utility analysis (CUA). In a CEA effects are presented in clinical outcomes, in this case the YSR. The primary outcomes measure for the cost-utility analysis will be Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), based on the EQ-5D utility scores. This economic evaluation will be performed from a societal perspective.

Children of parents with a mental illness or substance use disorder have high elevated risks to develop (mental and behavioural) problems themselves. Hypothesis is that the online Kopstoring intervention will be effective and cost-effective preventing futire problems and illnesses compared to care as usual.

1. Baseline;

2. 3 Months;

3. 6 Months;

4. 12 Months.

1. Kopstoring: Online psycho-educative program. The program exists of 8 online sessions over 8 weeks and an evaluation session in a protected chat box (chat room). The aim of the intervention is to strengthen social and emotional functioning, coping skills and the relationship of the child with the parent. This will be achieved by interaction, self-assessments and education;

2. Care-As-Usual: This will be a “waiting-list control group with unrestricted access to Care-as-Usual”. The Care-As-Usual will consist of preventive CBT sessions in groups under professional guidance, help offered by psychologists, etc, but the choices are not regulated by guidelines and remains the responsibility of the family’s GP. Often, the problems go undetected and the child receives nothing.