Abstract
BackgroundMonitoring 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.MethodsParent-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.ResultsPrevalence 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.ConclusionThis 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.
Highlights
Children with mental health problems, either diagnosable disorders or milder temporary emotional and behavioural difficulties, have an increased risk of: reduced health and well-being [1], impaired quality of life [2], a greater likelihood of developing mental illness into adulthood [3], and compromised education and employment attainment [4]
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
Results from this study suggest that SA school-aged children who suffered from chronic illness or pain were more likely to have parent-reported mental health problems
Summary
Children with mental health problems, either diagnosable disorders or milder temporary emotional and behavioural difficulties, have an increased risk of: reduced health and well-being [1], impaired quality of life [2], a greater likelihood of developing mental illness into adulthood [3], and compromised education and employment attainment [4]. Earlier studies have indicated that family poverty or hardship, step-/blended families and single-parent household, low level of parental education, maternal psychological distress, both abusive and protective parenting practices are associated with increased mental health problems in children and adolescents [12,14,15,16,17,18]. This paper aims to use representative surveillance data to: (1) describe the prevalence of parent-reported emotional, social or behavioural problems among South Australian (SA) children; (2) identify the associated demographic, school experiences and general health characteristics; (3) describe the mental health service utilisation by this group; and (4) identify the help-seeking behaviour and associated demographic, school experiences and general health characteristics in this population
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