Characteristics of Pacific Island People Admitted to a New Zealand Inpatient Forensic Service.

Abstract

This study describes the characteristics of Pacific Island patients admitted to the Auckland Regional Forensic Psychiatry Service, at Mason Clinic, the largest of five forensic hospitals in New Zealand. Sixty-nine Pacific Island patients admitted over a 9-year period (2009--2017) are described in terms of their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, access to community mental health care prior to arrest, and their legal history. The majority were men, born in New Zealand, who were single, with poor educational achievement, unemployed, with minimal religious and cultural affiliations, and still living with family prior to the index offense. Almost all had a major psychotic illness, with a mean duration of untreated psychosis of 2.5 years. Most used alcohol and cannabis, and almost half used methamphetamine. The majority of index offenses were violent in nature. These findings identified a disadvantaged and vulnerable group with multiple diagnoses and limited access to mental health services. Culture is fundamental to the causes, course, and care of mental illness. The design and delivery of services that are responsive to the mental health needs of this culturally diverse group may lead to better health outcomes and reduced inequities.