Transcript Slide 1
Mental Health in Young People approaching
Transitional Care: Transfer of Care at 17
Project (TC-17) pilot phase
Kelly Harris, Matt Owens, Valerie Dunn, Mischa Gwaspari,
Megan Ryan, Sonya Tsancheva & Ian Goodyer
Aim & Method
The aim was to assess individual characteristics which may influence successful transition
and to inform a planned longitudinal study.
A cross sectional design was used to assess 16-17 year olds approaching transitional
care: 27 YPiC, recruited via Cambridge County Council and Peterborough County Council
Cambridge; 26 CAMHS recruited via Cambridge and Peterborough Foundation Trust
(CPFT). Using a range of interviews, self-report instruments & cognitive ability tests, we
assessed:
Service use
(CASA)
Psychological
Distress
Cognitive
ability
(GHQ)
(WASI)
TC17
measures
Perceptions of
barriers to
service
Mental health
(SCID-RV)
(PBS)
Personality
(BFI)
Psychotic like
symptoms
(PLIKS)
Results
Lifetime Psychiatric Disorder in YPiC and CAMHS
% of cases
Introduction
TC17 focuses on specific transition periods in two groups of vulnerable adolescents:
young people in care (YPiC) approaching independent living and Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Service users (CAMHS) facing discharge or transfer to Adult Mental Health
Services (AMHS). Previous research has demonstrated transitions can be problematic in
terms of increased mental health and reduced use of services.
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
YPiC (27)
CAMHS (26)
•74% of YPiC reached lifetime criteria for a psychiatric diagnoses: 52% were still
significantly impaired as they faced their transition
• 100% of the CAMHS group reached lifetime criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis: 77%
were still significantly impaired as they faced their transition
• Comorbidity was high in both groups: over one third suffering 3-5 diagnoses
• Groups were characterised by distinct diagnostic profiles: CAMHS were characterised
predominantly by depression & anxiety, YPiC by behaviour & alcohol/substance. All
were chronic and impairing. YPiC reported little anxiety
• Current self-reported psychological distress (GHQ-12) was high in both groups and
associated with more perceptions of barriers to service use
• 42% of CAMHS and 46% of YPiC had experienced at least one psychotic like symptom
• 46% YPiC and 62% of CAMHS reported non-suicidal self-injury; 35% YPiC and 23%
CAMHS reported attempted suicide
Conclusion
• Transitions in both groups may be compromised by high rates psychopathology
• Current psychiatric disorder at a time of transition should be considered for both
young service users and young people in care
Key paper: Akister J, Owens M, Goodyer IM (2010) Leaving care & mental health outcomes for children in out-of-home care during transition to adulthood. Health Research Policy & Systems, 8:10