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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Primary care and youth mental health in Ireland: qualitative study in deprived urban areas

Authors: Dorothy Leahy, Elisabeth Schaffalitzky, Claire Armstrong, Gerard Bury, Paula Cussen-Murphy, Rachel Davis, Barbara Dooley, Blanaid Gavin, Rory Keane, Eamon Keenan, Linda Latham, David Meagher, Pat McGorry, Fiona McNicholas, Ray O’Connor, Ellen O’Dea, Veronica O’Keane, Tom P O’Toole, Edel Reilly, Patrick Ryan, Lena Sanci, Bobby P Smyth, Walter Cullen

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Mental disorders account for six of the 20 leading causes of disability worldwide with a very high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in youth aged 15–24 years. However, healthcare professionals are faced with many challenges in the identification and treatment of mental and substance use disorders in young people (e.g. young people’s unwillingness to seek help from healthcare professionals, lack of training, limited resources etc.) The challenge of youth mental health for primary care is especially evident in urban deprived areas, where rates of and risk factors for mental health problems are especially common. There is an emerging consensus that primary care is well placed to address mental and substance use disorders in young people especially in deprived urban areas. This study aims to describe healthcare professionals’ experience and attitudes towards screening and early intervention for mental and substance use disorders among young people (16–25 years) in primary care in deprived urban settings in Ireland.

Methods

The chosen method for this qualitative study was inductive thematic analysis which involved semi-structured interviews with 37 healthcare professionals from primary care, secondary care and community agencies at two deprived urban centres.

Results

We identified three themes in respect of interventions to increase screening and treatment: (1) Identification is optimised by a range of strategies, including raising awareness, training, more systematic and formalised assessment, and youth-friendly practices (e.g. communication skills, ensuring confidentiality); (2) Treatment is enhanced by closer inter-agency collaboration and training for all healthcare professionals working in primary care; (3) Ongoing engagement is enhanced by motivational work with young people, setting achievable treatment goals, supporting transition between child and adult mental health services and recognising primary care’s longitudinal nature as a key asset in promoting treatment engagement.

Conclusions

Especially in deprived areas, primary care is central to early intervention for youth mental health. Identification, treatment and continuing engagement are likely to be enhanced by a range of strategies with young people, healthcare professionals and systems. Further research on youth mental health and primary care, including qualitative accounts of young people’s experience and developing complex interventions that promote early intervention are priorities. (350 words)
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Metadata
Title
Primary care and youth mental health in Ireland: qualitative study in deprived urban areas
Authors
Dorothy Leahy
Elisabeth Schaffalitzky
Claire Armstrong
Gerard Bury
Paula Cussen-Murphy
Rachel Davis
Barbara Dooley
Blanaid Gavin
Rory Keane
Eamon Keenan
Linda Latham
David Meagher
Pat McGorry
Fiona McNicholas
Ray O’Connor
Ellen O’Dea
Veronica O’Keane
Tom P O’Toole
Edel Reilly
Patrick Ryan
Lena Sanci
Bobby P Smyth
Walter Cullen
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-14-194

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