Psychiatric assessment of children and families in immigration detention - clinical, administrative and ethical issues

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dc.contributor.authorMares, S.
dc.contributor.authorJureidini, J.
dc.date.issued2004
dc.description.abstract<h4>Objective</h4>This paper reports the clinical, practical and ethical issues arising in the assessment of 10 consecutive referrals from a remote Immigration Reception and Processing Centre to a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) between February and August 2002.<h4>Method</h4>The 16 adults and 20 children (age range 11 months to 17 years) were comprehensively assessed by allied health clinicians and child psychiatrists. All children were also assessed by the statutory child protection agency.<h4>Results</h4>There were very high levels of mood disturbance and post-traumatic symptoms in this population. All children had at least one parent with psychiatric illness. Of the 10 children aged 6-17 years, all (100%) fulfilled criteria for both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression with suicidal ideation. Eight children (80%), including three pre-adolescents, had made significant attempts at self harm. Seven (70%) had symptoms of an anxiety disorder and half reported persistent severe somatic symptoms. The majority (80%) of preschool-age children were identified with developmental delay or emotional disturbance. Few clinically based recommendations were implemented.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Very high levels of psychopathology were found in child and adult asylum seekers. Much was attributable to traumatic experiences in detention and, for children, the impact of indefinite detention on their caregivers.<h4>Implications</h4>Multiple obstacles to adequate service provision are identified. Adequate clinical intervention and care was not possible. The impact on involved clinicians is discussed.
dc.identifier.citationAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2004; 28(6):520-526
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/j.1467-842X.2004.tb00041.x
dc.identifier.issn1326-0200
dc.identifier.issn1753-6405
dc.identifier.orcidJureidini, J. [0000-0001-7585-2660]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/6348
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherPublic Health Assoc Australia Inc
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842x.2004.tb00041.x
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectTreatment Outcome
dc.subjectFamily
dc.subjectProfessional-Family Relations
dc.subjectLife Change Events
dc.subjectMental Disorders
dc.subjectAdolescent Psychiatry
dc.subjectChild Psychiatry
dc.subjectMental Health Services
dc.subjectEmigration and Immigration
dc.subjectPublic Policy
dc.subjectAdolescent
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectChild
dc.subjectChild, Preschool
dc.subjectInfant
dc.subjectRefugees
dc.subjectFamily Health
dc.subjectReferral and Consultation
dc.subjectMiddle East
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.titlePsychiatric assessment of children and families in immigration detention - clinical, administrative and ethical issues
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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