This report examines the need for youth mental health and addiction services, as well as assessing how well their needs are currently being met.
It includes quantitative information on the prevalence of mental disorder and addiction for children and youth, rates of suicide and intentional self-harm and patterns of mental health service use including service use over time. Qualitative information is included on common issues identified by children and youth with mental health and addiction problems and their families/whānau.
Key Results
- Mental health and addiction problems are prevalent among youth, but there are ongoing issues around access to primary and secondary mental health and addiction services. In particular, access is low for Māori and Pacific children and youth.
- There is a need for prevention of mental health and addiction problems such as problem drinking and early intervention for emerging mental health and addiction problems.
- Collaboration and coordination between services and sectors is working well in some regions, but further work is required to ensure access and continuity of services.
- Challenges for the sector include ensuring there is an adequate workforce and capacity to provide services, further development of primary mental health services and ensuring children and youth are able to gain access to mental health services through a number of channels.
- Further work is required to assess the quality of services and outcomes for children and youth who have accessed secondary mental health and addiction services.