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• Child mental health interventions in Majority World Countries should be contextualized to local sociocultural needs. • Integration to existing psychosocial support can enhance uptake and maximize limited resources. • A Train-of-Trainer cascade approach has potential to widen reach and sustain impact. • Communities should be involved in the whole design and implementation process. This study evaluated the process of integrating child and youth mental health to existing psychosocial support in disadvantaged South African communities. Four child practitioners of the host organization attended a Train-of-Trainer programme. They subsequently co-produced an intervention informed by a service transformation framework along five service domains. Implementation involved 368 community participants. A sub-sample of 43 participants were engaged in focus groups on their experiences. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. Established themes were inter-linked and transcended the five intervention domains. Engagement and conceptualization of mental health through awareness were viewed as pre-requisites to application of new knowledge. This should be supported by systemic changes, predominantly community mobilization and integrated care. Knowledge transfer involving collaboration between services and communities would enable sustainability of impact. The findings led to the formulation of a Theory of Change. Integration of child and youth mental health through a cascade approach that actively involves communities in co-production and delivery can enhance service provision in resource-constrained Majority World contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paracetamol is widely used by adolescents who take an overdose, according to research undertaken among 43 adolescents admitted to the Children's Hospital in Birmingham, England, following an overdose. In most cases, adolescents were undergoing several complex psychosocial challenges when they overdosed. Many welcomed being treated in a friendly and non-judgemental manner by hospital staff, and making adolescents feel that they are being taken seriously appears to be extremely valuable in preventing further overdoses.

A study of 106 children from varied ethnic backgrounds, 42 European, 45 Asian and 19 Afro-Caribbean, reveals that health services were used primarily for epilepsy, hearing and vision, cardiovascular, mobility, and ear nose and throat problems. Ethnicity did not have an effect on the pattern of contact with health professionals and, although two thirds of the children had special needs such as hyperactivity, only 18% received treatment from psychological experts.

This article evaluates mental health interventions of youth offenders. The authors, maintaining youth offenders often have high levels of emotional problems, argue the involvement of primary mental health workers in training youth offending team staff has produced positive results.

Rationale Self-harm in young people is of significant clinical concern. Multiple psychological, social and clinical factors contribute to self-harm, but it remains a poorly understood phenomenon with limited effective treatment options. Objective To explore young women's experience of self-harm in the context of interpersonal stressors and supports. Method Fourteen adolescent females (13–18 years) who had self-harmed in the last six months completed semi-structured interviews about self-harm and supports. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was undertaken. Results Themes identified were: 1) Arguments and worries about family breakdown; 2) Unhelpful parental response when self-harm discovered and impact on seeking support; 3) Ongoing parental support; 4) Long-term peer victimization/bullying as a backdrop to self-harm; 5) Mutual support and reactive support from friends (and instances of a lack of support); 6) Emotions shaped by others (shame, regret and feeling ‘stupid to self-harm’); and 7) ‘Empty promises’ - feeling personally let down by clinical services. These themes were organised under two broad meta-themes (psychosocial stressors, psychosocial supports). Two additional interconnected meta-themes were identified: Difficulties talking about self-harm and distress; and Impact on help-seeking. Conclusion Parents and peers play a key role in both precipitating self-harm and in supporting young people who self-harm. The identified themes, and the apparent inter-relationships between them, illustrate the complexity of self-harm experienced in the context of interpersonal difficulties, supports, and emotions. These results have implications for improving support from both informal and clinical sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Although extensive evidence indicates that being younger within a school cohort is associated with poorer academic functioning, much less is known about such relative age effects (RAEs) for mental health - the focus of the current investigation. Methods Data from 23,379 11- to 13-year-olds attending state-maintained secondary schools in England were analyzed to investigate RAEs on mental health measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Participants were grouped into oldest, middle, and youngest thirds of their academic year based on their month of birth relative to their cohort. Hierarchical linear regression analysis evaluated RAEs and gender- or deprivation-related moderation of such effects. Results Relatively younger adolescents had significantly more emotional symptoms and peer problems compared with relatively older individuals in a year group, although effect sizes were small. These effects were not moderated by gender or deprivation. Impact of mental health difficulties on other aspects of functioning was also greater among relatively younger children. Larger RAEs are observed in the younger cohort (11–12 years) compared with those in the 12- to 13-year-olds, thereby indicating that RAEs might attenuate with age. Conclusions Being relatively younger than classmates is associated with increased internalizing symptoms, poorer peer relationships, and higher impact of mental health difficulties on functioning at school and home. The findings support wider inclusion of relative age in understanding mental health difficulties and its inclusion as a potential risk factor in studies investigating the development of psychopathology, especially for internalizing symptoms. Possible mechanisms of the effects detected are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Youth mental health support in Global South Countries should be concurrently addressed at the inter-linked relational, systems and structural levels. • Forming meaningful connections are central to accessing such support. • Youth with mental health lived experience should be incorporated in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services. Youth mental health support and services vary across sociocultural contexts. It is important to capture the perspectives of youth with lived experiences for planning needs-led interventions and services, especially in Global South Countries (GSC), with limited specialist resources and representative literature. The aim was to establish how youth with lived experiences of anxiety and depression viewed external support in different countries, and how these views were juxtaposed with those of professionals. We involved 121 youth aged 14–24 years and 62 professionals from different disciplines in eight countries, predominantly from the Global South. Two youth and one professional focus group was facilitated in each country. The data were analysed through a codebook thematic approach. Youth across all countries largely valued informal support from family, peers and community, whilst those from GSC had limited access to structural support. They related lived experiences to therapeutic engagement and processes, in contrast with professionals who focused on outcomes and service delivery. Mental health awareness and integration of interventions with social support were considered essential by both youth and professionals, especially in disadvantaged communities. The mental health needs of youth in disadvantaged GSC communities can be best met through multi-modal interventions addressing these needs across their socioecology and positioned within a stepped care model. Youth with lived experiences should be involved in service planning, implementation and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to examine the extent to which running away from home as a child is associated with behavioral problems and victimization during childhood and with suicidal behavior and substance abuse during early adulthood. Methods: A random probability sample comprising 7,461 respondents was interviewed for the 2007 survey of psychiatric morbidity of adults in England. A subsample of 16- to 34-year-old individuals was selected for secondary analysis (N = 2,247). All survey respondents were asked whether they had run away from home and asked specific questions on being physically, emotionally and sexually abused as children. They were also asked about suicidal behavior and alcohol and drug dependence in early adulthood. Results: Approximately 7% of 16- to 34-year-old individuals reported running away from home before the age of 16 years, with higher rates in women than in men (9.8% compared with 5.3%). Overall, 45.3% reported being bullied, 25.3% experienced violence at home, and 8.8% reported unwanted sexual intercourse. Runaways were far more likely than other children to have suffered victimization and family difficulties and to exhibit behavioral problems. Adults who reported running away from home were three times more likely than other adults to have thought about or attempted suicide, but the relationship with substance abuse was far less pronounced. Conclusions: Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, along with family difficulties, can all impact children who run away from home. Running away from home was strongly associated with suicidal behavior in adulthood, regardless of other childhood adversities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To establish rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reactions and general mental health problems in children who had experienced war trauma. Method: A longitudinal study in the Gaza strip with 234 children aged 7 to 12 years, who had experienced war conflict, at 1 year after the initial assessment, that is, during the peace process. Children completed the Child Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), while the Rutter A2 and B2 Scales were completed by parents and teachers. Results: The rate of children who reported moderate to severe PTSD reactions at follow-up had decreased from 40.6% (N = 102) to 10.0% (N = 74). 49 children (20.9%) were rated above the cut-off for mental health problems on the Rutter A2 (parent) Scales, and 74 children (31.8%) were above the cut-off on the Rutter B2 (teacher) Scales. The total scores on all three measures had significantly decreased during the 1-year period. The total CPTS-RI score at follow-up was best predicted by the number of traumatic experiences recalled at the first assessment. Conclusions: PTSD reactions tend to decrease in the absence of further stressors, although a substantial proportion of children still present with a range of emotional and behavioral problems. Cumulative previous experience of war trauma constitutes a risk factor for continuing PTSD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines mental illness in homeless children and their parents, to determine their psychosocial characteristics. Increase seen in the number of homeless persons in North America and Western Europe; Why persons become homeless; What most homeless children are found to have; Methodology of the study; Results of the study; Conclusions based on findings.

Through our research we explore the term ‘mental health’ as articulated by a group of young people living in homeless shelters utilising staff in a mental health service. This mental health service was offered in 5 large geographical areas (urban, semi-urban and rural) in England to 18 homeless shelters and we interviewed 25 homeless young people, 5 Mental Health Coordinators and 12 homeless shelter staff. Using discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews, we investigate the ideological dilemmas presented by the young people. They report negative and stigmatising descriptions of mental health despite their involvement with a mental health service. Four key interpretative repertoires are identified; denial of problems, mental health as negative, the need to talk, and challenging prejudice. It is concluded that the term ‘mental health’, which appears in the title of the service (of which they are clients), presents barriers for usage but works to challenge prejudice and educate young people. Discussion of the implications of naming services and the importance of shared meanings are considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To establish the nature and extent of maltreatment experiences, coping strategies, and behavioral/emotional problems, and their relationships, in a sample of Palestinian adolescents.Method: A study of 97 male adolescents aged 15–19 years, and attending a vocational training center based in the Gaza Strip. Adolescents completed the Child Maltreatment Schedule and the Ways of Coping Scale (WAYS). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was completed by adolescents and by their teachers.Results: Findings revealed high rates of emotional and physical maltreatment. Reliance on emotion-focused or avoidant coping strategies was associated with exposure to maltreatment. Use of maladaptive coping also predicted emotional difficulties in the respondents.Conclusions: Coping strategies are an important indicator of psychosocial functioning in adolescents who have experienced maltreatment. Identification of coping styles can augment the assessment of at-risk adolescents. Emotion-focused strategies, in particular, appear to be widely used by young people from non-Western cultural backgrounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Background Children in out-of-home care are consistently found to have poor mental health compared to children in the general population. However, UK research has so far failed to disentangle the impact of the care system on children's mental health outcomes from the effects of the adverse circumstances that led to their admission to care. Objective This research investigated the association between care placement and the presence of child mental health problems after controlling for children's pre-care experiences. It also identified factors associated with mental health problems among children in care. Participants and Setting The sample comprised three groups of children involved with child welfare services due to maltreatment, including children in out-of-home care (n = 122), reunified children (n = 82) and those who had never been in care (n = 159). Methods The mental health of the children in the three groups was compared, using information collected from their parents/foster carers and social workers. Results The odds of a child in out-of-home care having a mental health problem were not significantly higher than those of a child who had never been in care (AOR = 1.24; p = 0.462). However, the odds of a child in out-of-home care having reactive attachment disorder (RAD) were significantly higher than those of a child who had never been in care (AOR=1.92; p = 0.032). Conclusions These findings make an important contribution to international debates about whether placing children in care is beneficial or detrimental to their wellbeing, and highlight a range of inter-linking factors associated with the mental health of children in out-of-home care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A current research trend is the identification of psychosocial variables that moderate and/or mediate the association between stressors and psychopathological symptoms. Research has shown Locus of Control (LoC) is a key cognitive component of this psychological process in adolescents from individualist cultures. It is unclear whether this finding can be generalized to collectivist adolescents given that LoC is argued to be a culturally relative construct. The study examined the moderating and mediating effects of LoC on the relationship between negative events and psychopathological symptoms (anxiety and depressive symptoms) in adolescents from collectivist countries (n = 2800). Consistent with prior research, negative life events and external LoC were associated with more psychopathological symptoms. Unlike past studies with samples from individualist countries, the study did not produce clear evidence that LoC moderated or mediated this relationship. Results are discussed in terms of cultural differences in the (un)desirability of external control. • LoC has stress-mediating and stress-moderating effects in individualist cultures. • Such effects have not been tested in adolescents from collectivist cultures. • The study tested 2800 adolescents from 7 collectivist countries. • Replicating prior studies, external LoC was linked to more psychological symptoms. • However, there was no clear evidence of mediating or moderating effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]