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Objective: Psychiatrists may become involved in circumstances where a child is seeking termination of pregnancy. Potential roles include capacity advice and advocacy, but ethical and legal uncertainties abound. This paper uses illustrative cases, in an Australian jurisdiction, to exemplify the issues.Conclusion: Termination of pregnancy at the youthful extreme raises unique challenges for all involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The poor mental health of asylum seekers and refugees in immigration detention has consistently been reported in peer-reviewed literature internationally; however, data on the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees detained in Australian immigration has been very limited.Methods: We re-analysed mental health screening data obtained by the Human Rights Commission.Results: Longer time in detention was associated with higher self-reported depression scores, with female individuals being more vulnerable to time in detention than those of male gender. Approximately one-half of the refugee group who agreed to complete the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire had post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. On clinician-rated measures, one-third of the children, adolescents and adults suffered with clinical symptoms requiring tertiary outpatient assessment.Conclusions: This paper consolidates the findings of the 2014 Australian Human Rights Commission report and it provides an argument for public reporting of refugee data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review and summarise the evidence about and consequences of Australia's policy of mandatory indefinite detention of children and families who arrive by boat to seek asylum.Methods: This paper will summarise the accumulated scientific evidence about the health and mental health impacts of immigration detention on children and compare methodologies and discuss the political reception of the 2004 and 2014 Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Inquiries into Immigration Detention of children.Results: The conclusions of the 2004 and 2014 Inquiries into Immigration Detention of Children are consistent with Australian and international research which demonstrates that immigration detention has harmful health, mental health and developmental consequences for children and negative impacts on parenting.Conclusion: The evidence that prolonged immigration detention causes psychological and developmental harm to children and families and is in breach of Australia's human rights obligations is consistent. This is now partially acknowledged by the Government. Attempts to limit public scrutiny through reduced access and potential punishment of medical witnesses arguably indicates the potency of their testimony. These harmful and unethical policies should be opposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper proposes a framework for a systematic evaluation of the Better Access Program, the largest single component of mental health reform announced under the Council of Australian Governments National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006-11. Method: The article explores the genesis of the Program and considers extant data sets and information available with which to establish the impact of the Program on consumers and service providers. Results: There are useful data available in Australia from which to derive pre- and post-implementation analysis about the impact of the Better Access Program. There is doubt as to whether these data form part of the Federal Government's current approach to evaluation of the Program. Conclusions: Anything less than a genuine and comprehensive evaluation will leave Australia unable to assess the real impact of the Better Access Program. The merit of further expenditure in the vital area of primary mental health care will be in doubt as a consequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is an increasing interest in conducting research within indigenous communities among indigenous and non-indigenous researchers alike. This paper offers the critical reflections of one Native Hawaiian researcher and the process of engaging in research as both an insider-outsider.Conclusions: Community-based, participatory research (CBPR) offers one model for outsiders to work effectively with indigenous communities, but CBPR also offers valuable principles for insiders who desire to work with their own communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Conversations between anthropologists and psychiatrists have led to new theoretical trajectories, research agendas and clinical practices as social scientists and medical practitioners forged new understandings about the interaction of culture, personhood and illness. However, the demands of global mental health, coupled with health service provision requirements, mean that mental health interventions set up with the best intentions can fail to take into account the knowledge and expertise that social sciences can contribute to a programme's success. In this paper, I reflect on conversations between an anthropologist and mental health professionals in direct reference to data analysis of an AusAID mental health capacity-building programme undertaken in the Pacific region.Conclusions: Social and cultural perspectives embedded within programmes can provide richer, more contextualised interventions. In drawing on the combined expertise of anthropology and psychiatry, new taken-for-granted reference points embedding cultural approaches form the basis for delivery of global mental health programmes. These perspectives include: Locating mental health programmes within development critiques. Situating the subjects of development within contextualised settings, acknowledging and respecting local knowledge, understandings and practices. A focus on interdisciplinarity as the basis for future practice in global mental health projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The tripartite framework for principled practice was developed as part of the Wundargoodie Aboriginal Youth and Community Wellbeing Programme. The programme engages natural helpers to enhance critical health literacy. This paper examines the importance of translational research to enhancing critical health literacy for this group of de facto health workers using the work of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet as an example. Translational research provides workforce support for those who are time poor and overburdened. Connecting these concepts and natural helpers will make a positive difference to Aboriginal health outcomes.Conclusions: There is a need for the development of translational research products that enhance the critical health literacy of natural helpers. The tripartite framework for principled practice supports reflective and accountable practice in the intercultural space to build trust and confidence between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to enhance the opportunity for authentic knowledge production and transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper explores novel training opportunities that the Expanded Setting Training Program (ESTP) provides for advanced psychiatry trainees. It is a reflection of a trainee's learning experiences during a year-long posting in Aboriginal Perinatal Mental Health, working alongside the Aboriginal Family Birthing Program, coupled with reflection and supervision.Conclusions: ESTP provided a fertile area to hone an advanced trainee's skills in the niche areas of Aboriginal mental health, perinatal mental health, culture and psychiatry. In addition, it provided skills in the area of leadership, health advocacy and the establishment and maintenance of successful programs in disadvantaged, culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The ESTP Aboriginal Mental Health rotation provides a unique experience for training, and the learning opportunities are limited only by the creativity of the trainee and supervisor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the aftermath of the double suicide of two teenage girls in 2007, the media linked the themes of 'emo' music and the girls' mental state. But it is not just emo music that has been the subject of scrutiny by the media. Rap music, country, and heavy metal have also been blamed for antisocial behaviours including violence, theft, promiscuity and drug use. It remains an important research and clinical question as to whether music contributes to the acting out of behaviours described in the music lyrics or whether the preferred music represents the already existing behavioural tendencies in the subject. This paper surveys and discusses the relevant literature on music preference and adolescent music listening behaviours, and their links with adolescent mental health. Conclusion: Studies have found a relationship between various genres of music and antisocial behaviours, vulnerability to suicide, and drug use. However, studies reject that music is a causal factor and suggest that music preference is more indicative of emotional vulnerability. A limited number of studies have found correlations between music preference and mental health status. More research is needed to determine whether music preferences of those with diagnosed mental health issues differ substantially from the general adolescent population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]