Mental health services for children in public care and other vulnerable groups: Implications for international collaboration

• Published in: Clinical child psychology and psychiatry 2010-10, Vol.15 (4), p.555-571
• Main Author: Vostanis, Panos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adoption - psychology; Child; Child Abuse - psychology; Child Abuse - rehabilitation; Children; Foster Home Care; Global Health; Health Policy - trends; Homeless Youth - psychology; Humans; International collaboration; International Cooperation; Interventions; Mental health services; Mental Health Services - organization & administration; Psychiatric disorders; Refugees; Refugees - psychology; Vulnerable Populations
• ISSN: 1359-1045; 1461-7021
• DOI: 10.1177/1359104510377715

Children in public care and other vulnerable young groups (homeless, adopted, refugees) are increasingly becoming the focus of policy and service planning. There is strong evidence that all these client populations have high rates of mental health problems which are closely associated with other needs. We also have good knowledge on the factors that predispose individuals to and maintain mental health problems, as well as on the reasons for their not easily accessing and engaging with services. There is less evidence on the effectiveness of interventions or service models, although some interesting patterns are beginning to emerge. These include the need for inter-agency commissioning, clear care pathways, designated provision, applied therapeutic interventions, training for carers and frontline practitioners, and multi modal programmes. This paper discusses these issues, as well as ways forward, both for systems with relatively well developed child mental health services and for low-income countries. Service quality can be greatly strengthened by international collaboration on policy, practice and research networks, training and research.