Ethnic minority populations and child psychiatry services: An Irish study

Abstract

Background Ethnically, Ireland has diversified greatly over the last twelve years changing from a country of emigration to one of immigration. Blanchardstown, a western suburb of Dublin, is one of the most ethnically diverse areas, with the youngest population in Ireland. Aims and methods This study aimed to examine any differences in referrals, clinical diagnoses and administrative outcomes of immigrants and Irish children referred to Blanchardstown Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) over the period of one calendar year. Results Blanchardstown CAMHS received 202 referrals in 2007. There were 132 (65.5%) Irish and 65 (32.2%) immigrant children referred to the service. Nigerians accounted for more than a half of all immigrant children. Family doctors referred the majority of Irish children (58.4%; 77); non-Irish children were referred mainly by teachers (51%; 33) (p < 0.05). In 2007 Blanchardstown CAMHS offered appointments to 116 families. Non-attendance rates at first appointments were similar in both groups (22.4% vs. 22.6%; p > 0.05); more immigrant children, however, dropped out following an initial appointment (16.1% vs. 2.4% p < 0.05). More non-Irish than Irish children were diagnosed with Axis-1 diagnosis (66.7% vs. 53.4%; p < 0.05). The two most common Axis-1 diagnoses among both non-Irish and Irish children were Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder and Pervasive developmental disorders. Conclusions Immigrant children accounted for a substantial minority of children referred to Blanchardstown CAMHS. The psychiatric problems of immigrant children most often came to light through schools. More non-Irish children compare with Irish had an Axis-1 disorder.