Depressive symptomatology and service utilisation among refugee children and adolescents living in South Australia

Abstract

Background: Young refugees resettled in Western countries are at increased risk of mental health problems. However, most research has centred on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with depression, other mental health disorders, and problems receiving comparatively less attention. Method: Depressive symptomatology was assessed using the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) in a multiethnic community sample of 348 refugee children (n = 180) and adolescents (n = 168) aged 7–17 years living in South Australia. Results: According to parent reports, 7.1% of children and adolescents had depressive symptomatology for which services were available and yet only 21.5% of these accessed services. Conclusions: Young refugees need improved access to culturally appropriate mental health care.