Psychosis in Indigenous populations of Cape York and the Torres Strait

Abstract

Objective: To describe and characterise treated psychotic disorders in the Indigenous populations of Cape York and the Torres Strait. Design: Cross‐sectional analysis of patients with a psychotic disorder identified by treating psychiatrists. Setting and participants: Indigenous patients aged ≥ 15 years in Cape York and Torres Strait communities receiving treatment for a psychotic disorder over 3 months in 2010. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of psychosis diagnoses, intellectual disability, and substance use comorbidities. Results: 171 patients were included. The prevalence rate in this population was 1.68%, higher for males (2.60%) than females (0.89%), and twice as high in the Aboriginal (2.05%) than in the Torres Strait Islander (0.95%) population. High rates of alcohol and cannabis use were found. Comorbid intellectual disability was common and more frequent among Aboriginal patients. Conclusions: The burden of psychosis in the Indigenous population of Cape York and the Torres Strait is high. Further research is needed to understand the social determinants of these disorders and to design effective social and clinical measures to alleviate this burden.

Strengthening acute inpatient mental health care for Indigenous clients

“…The results are consistent with those in Cape York communities where recent legislative restrictions in Northern Queensland have reduced the quantity of alcohol available. Widespread cannabis use is in turn relatively recent in Cape York, and is shown to have more of an impact than alcohol misuse on the clinical status of Indigenous mental health clients (Hunter et al, 2012). Given the strong links between severe mental illness and cannabis misuse, it is imperative that the focus on the public health impact of risky drinking does not divert attention from this other, similarly damaging form of substance misuse.…”

Burden of mental and substance use disorders in Indigenous Australians and Oceania

“…The inclusion of these additional disorders for mental and substance use disorder burden quantification in Indigenous Australians would likely elevate burden rates, a contention supported by several studies. 6,7 The bigger picture…”

Screening and assessment instruments for use in Indigenous-specific alcohol and drug treatment rehabilitation

“…Recent studies of communities in Arnhem Land (Northern Territory) and on Cape York (Far North Queensland) indicate that 60% or more of those surveyed used cannabis at least weekly (Bohanna & Clough, 2011;Lee, Clough, & Conigrave, 2007). In the Indigenous ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Anne Stephens The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, Australia 4870, Email: anne.stephens@jcu.edu.au populations of Far North Queensland psychotic disorders including schizophrenia, mood disorders, acute and transient psychoses are increasing and are linked with substance misuse (Hunter et al, 2012).…”

“…(Zubrick, et al, 2010) There is an increasing coincidence of mental health disorders and illnesses associated with substance abuse (Hunter et al, 2012;Parker, 2010). Researchers were commissioned by the executive management body of a newly established rehabilitation service to collate a selection of culturally appropriate and validated instruments for the assessment of social and emotional wellbeing.…”