This annual report - Taranaki District Health Board

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCHILDREN AGED 0–14 YEARSIntroductionThe following section use data from the Project for the Integration of Mental Health Data(PRIMHD) to explore access to mental health outpatient, community and inpatient servicesfor children aged 0–14 years with the following mental health diagnoses: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Conduct/ disruptive behaviour disorders Parent-child relational problems Autism/pervasive developmental disorders Learning disorders and intellectual disabilitiesThese diagnoses were selected as they were the most commonly assigned to childrenwho were recorded as accessing mental health services in the PRIMHD. In addition, theIn-depth Topic commencing on Page 368 reviews mental health issues for children aged0–14 years in more detail.Data Source and MethodsInformation on the Project for the Integration of Mental Health Data (PRIMHD) and the DSM-IV codes used inthis analysis is provided in the Access to Mental Health Services: Introduction section on Page 351.Note 1: Because PRIMHD data is configured in a very different way to that contained in the National MinimumDataset (hospital admissions) the reader is urged to review the methods section on Page 351, in order tobecome familiar with the strengths and limitations of PRIMHD.Note 2: The information presented in this year’s report differs from that presented in the NZCYES’ 2009Reports, because of differences in the data collections (PRIMHD vs. the Mental Health Information NationalCollection (MHINC)) and the coding systems used to code mental health diagnoses (in PRIMHD the datareceived were coded in DSM-IV, whereas in MHINC diagnoses were coded using ICD-10-AM).New Zealand DistributionNumbers Accessing ServicesIn New Zealand during 2009–2011, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was themost frequent diagnosis assigned to children accessing mental health services, followedby conduct/disruptive behaviour disorders and parent-child relational problems. Ininterpreting these figures it must be remembered that many children with these diagnosesaccess paediatric outpatient services, and that this workload is not captured by PRIMHD.Thus the rates given in Table 95 are likely to underestimate the prevalence of theseconditions in the community.Numbers Accessing Services by Diagnosis and AgeAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: In New Zealand during 2009–2011, the number ofchildren accessing mental health services with a diagnosis of ADHD increased rapidlyduring early to mid childhood (four to eight years), reached a peak at nine years of age andthen declined briefly, before increasing again to reach a second peak at 14 years.Numbers then tapered off rapidly during the mid to late teens (Figure 129).Conduct/Disruptive Behaviour Disorders and Parent-Child Relational Problems: During2009–2011, the number of children accessing mental health services with a conduct/disruptive behaviour disorder increased rapidly between three and nine years of age andthen remained relatively static until 12 years. Numbers then rose relatively rapidly to reacha peak at 15 years, before tapering off again during the late teenage years. Similarpatterns were seen for those with parent-child relational problems (Figure 129).Access to Mental Health Services in Children - 359