Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T03:20:44.908Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The current state of child and adolescent mental health services in Europe: A survey in 28 countries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

G. de Girolamo*
Affiliation:
Saint John of God Clinical Research Center, Psychiatric Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, Brescia, Italy
G. Signorini
Affiliation:
Saint John of God Clinical Research Center, Psychiatric Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, Brescia, Italy
S.P. Singh
Affiliation:
Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry-UK, Mental Health and Wellbeing Division, Warwick, United Kingdom
J. Warwick
Affiliation:
Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry-UK, Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Division of Health Sciences, Warwick, United Kingdom
*
* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

Transition to adulthood is the period of onset of most serious mental disorders. The current discontinuity of care between Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) and Adult Mental Health (AMHS) Services is a major socioeconomic and societal challenge for the EU.

Objectives/aims

In the framework of the MILESTONE project this study aims to map current services and transitional policies across Europe, highlighting current gaps and the need for innovation in care provision.

Methods

An on-line mapping survey has been conducted across all 28 European countries through the administration of two ad-hoc instruments: the Standardized Assessment Tool for Mental Health Transition (SATMEHT) and the European CAMHS Mapping Questionnaire (ECM-Q). The survey systematically collected data about CAMHS organization and characteristics, with a specific focus on actual national transition policies and practice.

Results

Response rate was 100%. Despite up to 49% of CAMHS service users need to continue with specialist AMHS care, written policies for managing the interface between these two services are available only in 4/28 countries and transition support services are reported as missing by half of the respondents. Lack of connection between CAMHS and AMHS is reported as the major (82%) difficulty experienced by young service users.

Conclusion

Preliminary results indicate a marked variability in characteristics of services and in data activity among the 28 European countries, with important missing information at national level about CAMHS and their functioning. All these conclusions warrant an improvement in data collection and service planning and delivery.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
W05
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2016
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.