Parent-reported Mental Health Problems and Mental Health Services Use in South Australian School-aged Children.

AIMS Public Health

Population Research and Outcome Studies (PROS), School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, PO Box 498, Adelaide, South Australia 5001.

Published: September 2016

Background: Monitoring and reporting childhood mental health problems and mental health services utilization over time provide important information to identify mental health related issues and to guide early intervention. This paper aims to describe the recent prevalence of parent-reported mental health problems among South Australian (SA) children; to identify mental health problems associated characteristics; and to describe mental health services utilization and its related characteristics among this population.

Methods: Parent-reported mental health problems were assessed against the first item of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. School-aged children were randomly sampled monthly and data were collected using a surveillance system between 2005 and 2015. Associations between mental health problems and various factors were analysed using univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression modelling.

Results: Prevalence of parent-reported mental health problems among children was 9.1% and 9.3% for children aged 5 to 11 years and children aged 12 to 15 years, respectively. No change in prevalence was observed during the past decade. Mental health problems were associated with male sex, long-term illness or pain, negative school experiences, not living with biological parents, and living in a rental dwelling. Less than half (48.7%) of the children with mental health problems received professional help. An increasing trend was found in mental health services utilisation among children aged 5 to 15 years. Utilization of mental health services was associated with male sex, older age, long-term illness or pain, and feeling unhappy at school.

Conclusion: This study reports the prevalence of parent-reported mental and mental health services utilisation among SA school-aged children. Identified characteristics associated with mental health problems and mental health services utilisation provide useful information for the planning of catered population initiatives.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5690403PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2016.4.750DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

mental health
72
health problems
40
health services
28
parent-reported mental
20
health
18
mental
18
problems mental
12
school-aged children
12
prevalence parent-reported
12
children aged
12

Similar Publications

Introduction: Phubbing may have significant interpersonal consequences. This study examines the association between partner phubbing and relational aggression, the mediation effect of social support, and the moderation effect of gender among young Chinese adults.

Method: A total of 772 young adults currently in a romantic relationship participated in an online survey that assessed their partner phubbing, relational aggression, and social support (i.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Little is known about the practices and resources employed by general practitioners (GPs) in Singapore to manage late-life depression. As the country is stepping up its efforts to promote collaborative care across community mental health and geriatric care, understanding GPs' current practices when managing late-life depression appears timely.

Methods: This qualitative descriptive study explored the perspectives on late-life depression of 28 private GPs practicing in Singapore through online semi-structured group and individual interviews.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Brain stimulation therapy (BST) has significant potential in treating psychiatric, movement, and cognitive disorders. Given the high prevalence of comorbidities among these disorders, we conducted an umbrella review to comprehensively assess the efficacy of BSTs in treating the core symptoms across these three categories of disorders.

Methods: We systematically searched for meta-analyses and network meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials with sham controls up to September 25, 2024, from databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, several municipal offices were forced to evacuate, and municipal public employees (MPEs) had to perform many administrative tasks related to the disaster. Typhoons and the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the area afterwards. We conducted a survey for MPEs to investigate the mental health impacts and related factors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This manuscript details the development and implementation of Mongolia's first official training program for child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) specialists. This initiative, inspired by and developed in collaboration with Japanese CAP training models, addresses the substantial gap in specialized mental health services for children and adolescents in Mongolia. Our discussion elaborates on the collaborative efforts between the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Nagoya University, and other partnering institutions, reflecting on the initial outcomes and the strategic importance of this program.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!