Australas Psychiatry. 2024 Nov 21:10398562241292967. doi: 10.1177/10398562241292967. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of Aboriginal adolescents admitted to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) inpatient unit and assess if cultural identity was acknowledged, and what proportion received cultural support.
METHOD: A retrospective chart review of adolescents who identified as Aboriginal and were admitted to a regional CAMH Unit over 10 years. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, diagnosis, details of admission, acknowledgement of Aboriginal identity, cultural information and cultural support provided.
RESULTS: A total of 172 patients who identified as Aboriginal were admitted during this period, comprising a total of 266 admissions. Most frequent admission reason was suicidal ideation or self-harm (66%), then psychosis (14%) and 49% were admitted involuntarily. Most frequent discharge diagnosis was a stress-related disorder (23%) followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (18%). A referral for Aboriginal clinician cultural support was made for 30%. Thirty patients (23%) had any detail regarding cultural identity documented.
CONCLUSIONS: Amongst young Aboriginal people admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit, the minority had cultural identity acknowledged or were provided cultural support. There is a need for increased access to Aboriginal Mental Health Clinicians and improved training for the broader workforce in the provision of culturally considered care.
PMID:39570056 | DOI:10.1177/10398562241292967
