The Importance of Addressing Unsafe Sexual Behaviour Among Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Unsafe sexual behaviour among psychiatric patients is a critical intersection of mental health and sexual well-being. Risky sexual behaviours, defined as practices like unprotected sex or impulsive relationships under the influence of mental disorders or substances, pose significant health risks. Studies reveal a high prevalence (up to 80%) of such practices among individuals with severe mental disorders compared to the general population. Factors including impaired judgement, impulsivity and low self-esteem cause relationship challenges. Consequences range from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies to social and relational conflicts. Prevention and intervention strategies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), routine sexual health screenings and integrated care approaches are essential. Addressing stigma, resource limitations, and cultural taboos are crucial for safer practices, ensuring patient autonomy and improving quality of life through multidisciplinary collaboration and patient-centred policies. © 2025 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).