BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTICIPANTS REFERRED TO ONE-YEAR MENTALIZATION-BASED TREATMENT (MBT) IN THE WELLBEING SERVICES COUNTY OF NORTH OSTROBOTHNIA

Background and objectives: Evidence-based and structured Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) is being piloted in adult specialized psychiatric care in The Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia (Pohde) to ensure access, timeliness and sufficient range of treatments. This article outlines the baseline characteristics of participants referred to one-year MBT. Materials and methods: This non-randomized pilot study aims to investigate the effectiveness of individual MBT and analyse changes in patients' mental wellbeing, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, mentalization, service use and quality of life during MBT. Inclusion criteria of patients included age of 18–64 years; having a complex disorder presentation, i.e. comorbidity of at least two of the following: affective disorder, psychological trauma, personality disorder or signs or symptoms of personality disorder; and decreased functioning. The baseline interviews and questionnaires collected data on sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics and diagnostics, functioning and measures used for assessing effectiveness. Axis 1 diagnoses were assessed using MINI interview. Here, we present the characteristics of the sample and descriptives of baseline values of measures of effectiveness. Results: Between September 2024 and March 2025, 53 patients were referred to this study, of whom 50 participants started MBT. Patients were referred to treatment from various sources, including both primary healthcare and specialized mental health services. The majority of participants were women, unmarried and had a mean age of 31.5 years. Only a few had previously received psychotherapeutic treatment. According to the MINI interview, the most common diagnoses were depression, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. On average, participants exhibited moderate to marked levels of clinical symptoms and reduced psychosocial functioning, indicating a clear need for mental health treatment. A higher clinical score of CORE-OM is associated with greater anxiety, uncertainty in mentalizing ability, interpersonal problems and attachment anxiety. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights for improving the care of patients with severe mental health problems and a base for future studies of the effectiveness of individual MBT.