Help-seeking pathways prior to referral to outpatient child and adolescent mental health services

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452199419
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus ◽  
Emil Færk ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Educational Services

Aim: To investigate parental help-seeking patterns prior to referral to outpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), and whether type of symptoms or duration of mental health problems prior to referral influence help-seeking. Setting: Child mental health services in Denmark involve several sectors collaborating based on stepped-care principles. Access to CAMHS is free of charge but requires a formal referral. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, parents of 250 children were interviewed about pathways to outpatient CAMHS using the Children’s Services Interview. Results: The median parent-reported duration of mental health problems prior to referral to CAMHS was 6.0 (IQR 3.4–8.5) years for children referred for neurodevelopmental disorders compared to 2.8 (IQR 1.0–6.5) years for children referred for emotional disorders. Educational services were the first help-seeking contact for the majority (57.5%) but referrals to CAMHS were most frequently from healthcare services (56.4%), predominantly general practitioners. Educational services played a greater part in help-seeking pathways for children referred for neurodevelopmental disorders. Conclusion: The majority of children referred to CAMHS have mental health problems for years before referral. The delay in time-to-referral was most pronounced for children referred for neurodevelopmental disorders. Help-seeking pathways differ by symptom duration and type of symptoms.

Approaches to Delivering Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: The South Australian Experience

1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gifford Sawyer ◽  
Robert John Kosky
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
The South ◽  
Number Of Children

Approximately 10% of children and adolescents experience mental health problems, however only a small proportion receive specialised help. Identifying approaches which can provide a balanced and effective service for the large number of children and adolescents with problems is currently a major challenge for child and adolescent mental health services in Australia. In South Australia, following a review in 1983, child and adolescent services were reorganised into two separate but closely related services. This paper draws on experience in South Australia over the last decade to identify approaches which can be employed in six key areas that significantly influence the effectiveness of child and adolescent mental health services. The paper also describes the specific features which were included in the South Australian child and adolescent mental health service to address these issues.

scholarly journals Differences between specialist community adolescent mental health teams and generic child and adolescent mental health services: training issues for specialist registrars

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 232-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
National Service Framework ◽  
First Onset ◽  
Age Range

Following the National Service Framework (Department of Health, 2004) recommendation of extending the age range of child and adolescent mental health services to 18 years there is an increasing expectation that these generic services will provide the comprehensive care for severe mental health problems in areas where specialist teams do not exist. Services have responded to this with a variety of teams from generic adolescent teams to smaller first-onset psychosis or assertive outreach teams.

scholarly journals Parent-Perceived Barriers to Accessing Services for Their Child’s Mental Health Problems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjærsdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background: Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method: In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results: The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion: Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking.Conclusion Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background: Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method: In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results: The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion: Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Mental health help-seeking barriers, facilitators and interventions. A systematic review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Aguirre ◽  
Ignacio Silva ◽  
Jo Billings ◽  
Magdalena Jimenez ◽  
Sarah Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
General Mental Health

Abstract Background: Increasing rates of mental health problems among adolescents are alarming. Teens who are most in need of mental health attention are reluctant to seek help. A better understanding of the help-seeking in this population is crucial to overcome this gap. Methods: Five databases were searched to identify the principal barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking for common mental health problems in adolescents aged 10-19 years. The search was performed in June 2018 and updated in March 2019. Two independent screening processes were made using the eligibility criteria. Quality assessment of each study was performed and findings summarised using a narrative synthesis. Results: 90 studies meet the inclusion criteria for this review for barrier and facilitators (n=54) and interventions (n=36). Stigma and negative beliefs towards mental health services and professionals were the most cited barriers. Facilitators included previous positive experience with health services and mental health literacy. Most interventions were based on psychoeducation, which focused on general mental health knowledge, suicide and self-harm, stigma and depression. Other types of interventions included the use of multimedia and online tools, peer training and outreach initiatives. Overall, the quality of studies was low to medium and there was no general agreement regarding help-seeking definition and measurements. Conclusion: Most of interventions took place in an educational setting however, it is important to consider adolescents outside the educational system. Encouraging help-seeking should come with the increased availability of mental health support for all adolescents in need, but this is still a major challenge for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. There is also a need to develop shared definitions, theoretical frameworks and higher methodological standards in research regarding help-seeking behaviours in adolescents. This will allow more consistency and generalisability of findings, improving the development of help-seeking interventions and ensuring timely access to mental health treatments.

scholarly journals The role of mental health symptomology and quality of life in predicting referrals to special child and adolescent mental health services

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeosun Yoon ◽  
Jessica Deighton ◽  
Alice Wickersham ◽  
Julian Edbrooke-Childs ◽  
David Osborn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent

Abstract Background Children and adolescents’ mental health problems have been largely assessed with conventional symptom scales, for example, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) given that it is one of the mostly widely used measures in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). However, this emphasis on symptom scales might have missed some important features of the mental health challenges that children and young people experience including day to day functioning and life satisfaction aspect (i.e. qualify of life). Method The study examined longitudinal association between a young person’s self-perceptions of quality of life and mental health difficulties and referral to specialist CAMHS service using a population cohort study (Targeted Mental Health in Schools service data) nested within a large-scale linkage between school (National Pupil Data base) and child mental health service administrative data (South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust children and adolescent mental health services health records). Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between participant psychopathology, and incidence of CAMHS referral. Results Pupils experiencing more behavioural difficulties, had an increased incidence of CAMHS referral (adjusted hazard ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.2). However, pupils who reported higher health related quality of life had a lower incidence of CAMHS referral over the follow-up period (adjusted hazard hario 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.9–0.98). Conclusion Children and young people’s perception of their quality of life should be considered at the stages of a clinical needs assessment.

scholarly journals Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Help-Seeking Behaviors of Transition-Aged Youth for Mental Health Concerns: Qualitative Study

10.2196/18514 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e18514
Author(s):  
Chelsea Stunden ◽  
Julie Zasada ◽  
Nicole VanHeerwaarden ◽  
Elisa Hollenberg ◽  
Alexxa Abi-Jaoudé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

Background Transition-aged youth are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, yet they are one of the least likely demographic groups to seek help. Objective The aim of this study is to explore the influences on and patterns in help-seeking for mental health concerns among transition-aged youth who attend postsecondary schools in Canada. Methods A qualitative research design was used, involving 12 semistructured focus groups with transition-aged youth (17-29 years) who attended postsecondary schools in Canada. A thematic analysis was conducted to code the transcripts and develop themes. Results Four main themes and subthemes regarding the process and experience of help-seeking were generated: (1) the influence of formal service providers (accessibility and experiences), (2) the influence of social factors (system navigation and stigma), (3) the influence of health literacy (symptom recognition, acting on symptoms, digital tools and the internet, and mental health awareness campaigns), and (4) the influence of low-intensity sources of support, namely, self-help. Conclusions Transition-aged youth seek help for mental health problems in different ways. Despite efforts to improve access to mental health services, transition-aged youth continue to face barriers to accessing these services, especially formal sources of support. The factors identified in this study that either hinder or facilitate help-seeking have pragmatic implications for developing help-seeking interventions and delivering mental health services for this population. In addition to other facilitators, family physicians are an important resource in the help-seeking process. Furthermore, digital help-seeking tools have unique characteristics that may make them an important source of support for transition-aged youth.

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