This annual report - Taranaki District Health Board

Stream Indicator New Zealand Distribution and Trends Midland DHBs Distribution and TrendsMental HealthAccess to MentalHealth Services:ChildhoodAccess to MentalHealth Services:Late Childhoodand AdolescenceIn New Zealand during 2009–2011, attention deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was the most frequentdiagnosis assigned to children accessing mental healthservices, followed by conduct/disruptive behaviourdisorders and parent-child relational problems.While ethnic differences in access to mental healthservices varied by diagnosis, the number of malesaccessing services for each of the conditions reviewedwas significantly higher than for females.During 2009–2011, a number of mental healthdiagnoses also became increasingly common during latechildhood and early adolescence. These includedanxiety disorders, stress reaction/adjustment disordersand eating disorders.The number of children and young people accessingmental health services with anxiety, stress reaction/adjustment and eating disorders was significantly higherfor females and for European/Other > Māori > Pacificchildren and young people.Amongst the DHBs in the Midland Region during 2009–2011,ADHD, conduct/disruptive behaviour disorders andautism/pervasive developmental disorders were the mostfrequent diagnosis assigned to children accessing mentalhealth services. While rates in most Midland DHBs (Waikato,Lakes DHB, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki) were significantly lowerthan the New Zealand rate for most diagnoses, it must beremembered that many children with these diagnoses accesspaediatric outpatient services, and that this workload is notcaptured by PRIMHD. Thus the rates presented are likely tosignificantly underestimate the prevalence of these conditionsin the community. Further, regional differences in theproportion of cases managed by mental health services vs.paediatric outpatients are also likely to account for some ofthe differences seen.In the Waikato, Lakes DHB, Tairawhiti and Taranaki during2009–2011, the number of children and young peopleaccessing mental health services with anxiety disorders,stress reaction/adjustment disorders and eating disorderswas significantly lower than the New Zealand rate. In the Bayof Plenty, while the number accessing mental health serviceswith anxiety disorders and stress reaction/adjustmentdisorders was significantly higher than the New Zealand rate,the number accessing services with eating disorders wassimilar to the New Zealand rate.In interpreting these differences, it must be remembered thatthese figures reflect access to services rather than theunderlying prevalence of these conditions in the community.Further regional differences in the proportion of casesmanaged by paediatric outpatient services (which are notcaptured in PRIMHD) vs. child and youth mental healthservices may account for some of the differences seen.Introduction and Overview - 42