Vater und Kind spielen im Sand - Fachkräfte helfen psychisch und suchterkrankten Eltern

The study accompanying the Strong in the Storm initiative

Only by evaluating our work scientifically can we be sure that our approach for children of mentally ill and addicted parents is not just well-intentioned, but truly effective.

That is why the initiative is being accompanied by research. The study assesses whether the services we offer are actually reaching affected parents and children. The results also help us to further improve the program and anchor it long-term at participating sites. Our long-term goal: to establish Strong in the Storm structures as part of routine care throughout Germany.

Please support us by answering a few questions. The scientific review helps us to provide effective and targeted support.

Please contact us by e-mail: starkimsturm(at)zi-mannheim.de

Are you a parent affected – and interested in participating?

Who can participate?

Parents can participate in the study if they
are being treated for a mental and/or addictive disorder in one of the participating centres at the time of inclusion in the study, are between 18 and 65 years old and have at least one child between the ages of 1.5 and 17 with whom they have regular contact.
Optional: In addition to the parent, one of their children - usually the eldest - can also take part if they are between 6 and 17 years old.
is between 6 and 17 years old, all persons with custody agree to participate in the study, and agrees to participate after being informed in an age-appropriate manner.

What does participation in the study involve for parents and children?

For parents:

Four online surveys over a period of six months. The first survey takes place at the start of treatment, the second at discharge, and two follow-ups at three and six months after the initial survey.
Each survey takes between 30 and 100 minutes, depending on timing.
Parents receive a €40 expense allowance for taking part.

For children:

Three online surveys within six months. The first during the parent’s treatment, and two more three and six months later.
Each survey takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Children receive €40 in vouchers as a thank-you.

Important to know:

Participation is voluntary for both parents and children.
Before taking part, parents, guardians, and children receive age-appropriate information about the study.
You can withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.
You can receive support from our child welfare officers even if you do not take part in the study.
All data is treated confidentially and analysed anonymously.

Do the above conditions apply to you and would you like to help us support families even better by taking part in the study? Then get in touch with us!

E-mail: starkimsturm(at)zi-mannheim.de

Why do we need an accompanying study?

We know that children of mentally ill and addicted parents need special care. Unfortunately, the existing support systems are often fragmented and hard to navigate. This leads to poor cooperation between services, and many affected families struggle to access help – often due to fear or lack of clarity about where to turn.

This is exactly where Strong in the Storm steps in: We aim to improve early access to help for these children in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. Specially trained child welfare officers are appointed at participating clinics. They talk to parents during treatment, provide helpful information, and guide families toward local counselling and support services.

To know whether this approach truly helps families and how we can make it even better, we need scientific backing. The accompanying research is essential because:

It helps us understand whether we are breaking down barriers and providing meaningful support.
It gives us the insights we need to sustainably implement and improve the program.
It helps pave the way for nationwide, standardised support structures across all psychiatric and addiction clinics.

Only with this kind of evaluation can we make sure that every affected child and parent receives the help they need in all psychiatric and addiction clinics nationwide in the future.