Mental Health Needs of Community Based Young Offenders in a City Setting
| Author | Ruth Marshall, Louise Theodosiou, Benedict Pease, Natalie Kirby |
| Pages | 41-50 |
41
MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF COMMUNITY BASED
YOUNG OFFENDERS IN A CITY SETTING
Ruth Marshall, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, The Winnicott Centre; Louise
Theodosiou, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Emerge; Benedict Pease,
Medical Student, Manchester University; Natalie Kirby, Medical Student, Manchester
University; and Jade Ark, Research Assistant, The Winnicott Centre
Abstract Research has demonstrated higher than average levels of mental health problems
among young offenders. These mental health needs are often unmet. The mental health
needs of ethnic minority groups and young people with combined mental health problems
and substance misuse need to be further elucidated.
All young people open to a Youth Offending Service (YOS) were invited to opt-out or
participate. Young people and their key workers were asked to fill out versions of the
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Conners short form and a qualitative
questionnaire establishing ethnicity and investigating perceived mental health needs and
substance abuse.
Rates of mental health needs were higher than in the general population of this city, as
was substance misuse. The ethnic minority population was overrepresented, although the
white British sample had higher levels of mental health needs.
Intervention and treatment was either limited or fragmented in meeting the needs of these
vulnerable young people. The findings have been shared with the YOS, this will hopefully
lead to an increase in referrals to child and adolescent mental health services.
Keywords Young offender, mental health, ethnic minorities
Introduction
Psychiatric morbidity among young offenders is increasingly recognised as a key area.
Several studies have demonstrated the high prevalence of psychological disorders. Kessler
(2007) identified that the mental health, educational and social needs of young offenders
are often inadequately assessed or met, possibly exacerbating recidivism due to
insufficient care pathways to facilitate rehabilitation. Furthermore, young offenders are
noted to have significantly increased mortality rates highlighting the importance of
addressing their mental health needs (Coffey, Veit, Wolfe, Cini and Patton, 2003).
British Journal of Community Justice
©2011 Sheffield
Hallam University, Sheffield
ISSN 1475-
0279
Vol. 9(3): 41-50
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