Chapter 8 200 2. Obstacles and catalysts Obstacles and catalysts in discussing family planning were noted frequently (31.7%) (Table 8.3). The obstacles addressed by the survey respondents aligned with experiences in the focus groups. Fear of being viewed as a bad mother was an important reason for reluctance toward discussing family planning with an MHP: Table 8.2 - Demographic features of survey participants: mental health professionals, patients, and close ones. Demographic characteristic Category MHPs n=139 Patients n=268 Close ones n=26 Age (range) 44.4 (26-74) 46.2 (21-81) NA Gender, n (%) Women 95 (68.3) 226 (84.3) 22 (84.6) Men 44 (31.7) 37 (13.8) 4 (15.4) Other gender 0 (0) 5 (1.9) 0 (0) Top 5 selfreported mental health issues (in history)1, n (%) Mood disorders NA 166 (61.9) NA PTSD, Trauma and Stress disorders 100 (37.3) Anxiety disorders including OCD 72 (26.9) Personality disorders 53 (19.8) Autism 45 (16.8) Demographic characteristics of participants of the two surveys are presented. The age of close ones is not reported. History of mental health problems was only collected from patients. MHPs, mental health professional; NA, not available; PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder; OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. 1Some participants reported (a history of) more than one mental health issue. The prevalence of all mental health issues is displayed here. ‘’I think in that time I would have said 'I cannot make it’ [being a mother], even if I would have made it. Just because you are so insecure about yourself, because you always feel like you are doing it wrong. As being single, but also as being a mom.’’ (Woman, age unknown). Patients and close ones experienced that psychiatric treatment focuses on problem solving, efficiency and stabilizing patients. Contrarily, patients and close ones wished to explore relevant life themes, such as desire for children. There appeared to be a lack of time and capacity in mental healthcare to enable this, as explained by focus group participants: ‘’Yes, I see an ideal world with a more ’active’ MHP that looks beyond. Nowadays, when you qualify for a treatment, your problems are quite severe. And then it is mostly about symptom relief and as soon as your symptoms have reduced enough then your
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