Treatment Seeking Children and Youth who have Experienced Warzone Trauma: Examining the Mental Health Care Planning Needs

Shannon L Stewart; Tatiana Dimos; Jeffrey W Poss

doi:10.1007/s10578-023-01570-5

Treatment Seeking Children and Youth who have Experienced Warzone Trauma: Examining the Mental Health Care Planning Needs

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2023 Jul 10. doi: 10.1007/s10578-023-01570-5. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Shannon L Stewart¹, Tatiana Dimos², Jeffrey W Poss³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
² Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. tdimos@uwo.ca.
³ School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

PMID: 37428420
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01570-5

Abstract

This study compares mental health treatment-seeking children and youth who have experienced warzone-related trauma to other treatment-seeking children and youth to determine similarities and differences and aid in care planning. Data from 53 agencies across Ontario from 2015-2022 were analysed, resulting in a sample of 25,843 individuals, 188 of which met the warzone and immigration criteria. Individuals who experienced warzone-related trauma were less likely to: (a) have a psychiatric diagnosis; (b) speak English, and; (c) have close friends. Collaborative Action Plans (CAPS) related to traumatic life events, parenting, and informal support were triggered at a higher rate for those who experienced warzone-related trauma compared to those who did not. This study highlights areas where children and youth who have experienced warzone-related trauma require improved access to services. Findings also highlight issues related to a needs-based approach to service delivery to facilitate improved outcomes for these vulnerable children and their families.

Keywords: InterRAI; Mental health; Warzone trauma.

Grants and funding

1617-HQ-000050/Public Health Agency of Canada