This annual report - Taranaki District Health Board

Midland Region DistributionChildren Accessing Mental Health Services by DiagnosisAmongst the DHBs in the Midland Region during 2009–2011, ADHD, conduct/disruptivebehaviour disorders and autism/pervasive developmental disorders were the most frequentdiagnosis assigned to children accessing mental health services. While rates in mostMidland DHBs (Waikato, Lakes DHB, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki) were significantly lowerthan the New Zealand rate for most diagnoses, it must be remembered that many childrenwith these diagnoses access paediatric outpatient services, and that this workload is notcaptured by PRIMHD. Thus the rates given in Table 95 and Table 96 are likely tosignificantly underestimate the prevalence of these conditions in the community. Further,regional differences in the proportion of cases managed by mental health services vs.paediatric outpatients are also likely to account for some of the differences seen.Local Policy Documents and Evidence-Based ReviewsRelevant to Mental Health Issues in ChildrenLocal policy documents and evidence-based reviews relevant to the management ofmental health issues in children and young people are reviewed in the Access to MentalHealth Services: Introduction section commencing on Page 351. In addition, Table 112on Page 414 provides an overview of the literature on the prevention of drug use in youngpeople, while Table 116 on Page 423 considers suicide prevention in young people.Finally, the In-Depth Topic Mental Health Issues in Children commencing on Page 368provides a more detailed review of the literature as it relates to children aged 0–14 years.Access to Mental Health Services in Children - 365