Five-year review of adolescent mental health usage in Singapore.
BACKGROUND
To provide a review of adolescent mental health service utilisation in a child and adolescent mental health outpatient clinic in Singapore.


METHODS
Data from all new adolescent cases seen over a 5-year period in the Child Guidance Clinic were analysed. A review of services provided is also included.


RESULTS
Adolescent mental health usage has been on an increase with a rise in the number of cases diagnosed with depression. There has also been an increase in the number of forensic cases seen in the department.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a growing demand for adolescent mental health services. As the demands and stresses on today's youth increase, there is likely to be a continued increase in the demand for such services. The challenge in the future is to provide adolescent mental health services in cost-effective packages that will meet the needs as well as stay financially viable.
Lee
N B C
NB
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Guidance Clinic, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. nelson_lee@imh.com.sg
Fung
D S S
DS
Teo
J
J
Chan
Y H
YH
Cai
Y M
YM
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002661:Child Guidance Clinics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation