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Report on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addiction

» 28/08/2011, Posted by Site Admin

The Mental Health Commission has released a report on 'Child and Youth Mental Health and Addiction'.

The purpose of the report is to examine the need for mental health and addiction services among children and youth and to assess how well their needs are currently being met.

The report includes quantitative information on the prevalence of mental disorder and addiction for children and youth, rates of suicide and intentional self-harm and patterns of mental health service use including service use over time. Qualitative information is included on common issues identified by children and youth with mental health and addiction problems and their families/whanau. The report concludes with a discussion of whether the mental health and addiction needs of children and youth are currently being met.

The conclusions and recommendations of the report are that:
* Mental health and addiction problems are prevalent among youth, but there are ongoing issues around access to primary and secondary mental health and addiction services. In particular, access is low for Maori and Pacific children and youth.

* There is a need for prevention of mental health and addiction problems such as problem drinking and early intervention for emerging mental health and addiction problems.

* Collaboration and coordination between services and sectors is working well in some regions, but further work is required to ensure access and continuity of services.

* Challenges for the sector include ensuring there is an adequate workforce and capacity to provide services, further development of primary mental health services and ensuring children and youth are able to gain access to mental health services through a number of channels.

* Further work is required to assess the quality of services and outcomes for children and youth who have accessed secondary mental health and addiction services.

The report is attached, and is also available from the the Mental Health Commission website at:
http://www.mhc.govt.nz/