Architecture and functioning of child and adolescent mental health services: a 28-country survey in Europe

Abstract

The WHO Child and Adolescent Mental Health Atlas, published in 2005, reported that child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Europe differed substantially in their architecture and functioning. We assessed the characteristics of national CAMHS across the European Union (EU), including legal aspects of adolescent care. Using an online mapping survey aimed at expert(s) in each country, we obtained data for all 28 countries in the EU. The characteristics and activities of CAMHS (ie, availability of services, inpatient beds, and clinicians and organisations, and delivery of specific CAMHS services and treatments) varied considerably between countries, as did funding sources and user access. Neurodevelopmental disorders were the most frequent diagnostic group (up to 81%) for people seen at CAMHS (data available from only 13 [46%] countries). 20 (70%) countries reported having an official national child and adolescent mental health policy, covering young people until their official age of transition to adulthood. The heterogeneity in resource allocation did not seem to match epidemiological burden. Substantial improvements in the planning, monitoring, and delivery of mental health services for children and adolescents are needed.

Identifying core components and indicators of successful transitions from child to adult mental health services: a scoping review

“…However, it is important to acknowledge the broader context of system-level issues in mental healthcare systems that may constrain their effective implementation. CAMHS and AMHS are two separate systems with unique funding structures, service philosophies and target populations [1,37,58,109]. Government funding allocations often dictate rigid age cut-offs, where service with CAMHS often ends at age 18 regardless of whether the youth is developmentally ready or connected to AMHS [1,5,72,104].…”

Time trends in the incidence of diagnosed depression among people aged 5–25 years living in Finland 1995–2012

“…In addition, Finland has a higher number of child and adolescent psychiatrist per each young person compared to Denmark (36.0 vs. 10.3 per 100,000 persons) [40], and therefore, young people with depression may have better access to specialized care in Finland. When we analyzed cases of moderate or severe depression assessed at two visits or more, we found that the number of cases dropped by half.…”

Psychiatric inpatient beds for youths in China: data from a nation-wide survey

“…For example, a 28-country survey of child and adolescent mental health services in Europe showed substantial heterogeneity of inpatient beds among these countries. The number of inpatient beds for youth ranged from fewer than two beds per 100000 young people in Portugal and Sweden to more than 50 beds per 100000 young people in Germany and the Netherlands [28]. The situation seemed worse in low-income and middle-income countries.…”