Artikelförfattare: Jacinta Molini Pennacchia, Shirley Wong, Greg Bonyhady, Chris Pacheco, Dave Coghill, Mats Granlund, Christine Imms

Abstract:

Purpose: To understand the current practices and future needs of practitioners involved
in identifying low wellbeing and/or mental health problems in 10–24-year-olds with
complex communication needs.
Methods: This mixed methods study (cross-sectional survey and follow-up focus
groups) included participants who may be involved in identifying mental health
concerns in young people with complex communication needs. Analyses included
descriptive statistics (quantitative data) and interpretive description methods (qualitative
data). These data were then synthesised before interpretation.
Results: Survey participants (n = 112 from 17 occupational backgrounds) mostly used
“interaction with the person” to identify both low wellbeing and mental health
problems. The least used method was “formal tool”. An interpreted description of focus
group data (n = 19 participants) produced a six-part Practitioners’ Story. The Story
described practitioners’ current practice (facilitating and inhibiting), feelings towards the
present situation, and ideas for improving identification of mental health concerns in
this population.
Conclusions: There was little consistency in how mental health concerns were evaluated
in young people with complex communication needs, but informal methods were most
common. Workforce education, access to relevant resources, and service settings which
promote a collaborative approach to assessment should be prioritised to better address
the mental health needs of this currently underserved population.

Forskningsfinansiärer: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC, Australia; Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship; Svenska Vetenskapsrådet

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