Prevalence of mental illness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland prisons

Description

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of mental disorder in a representative sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland prisons. Cross-sectional assessment of mental health using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and clinical interviews were conducted by Indigenous mental health clinicians who undertook specific training for this purpose, with support from forensic psychiatrists when indicated. Adults were assessed who self-identified as Indigenous and were incarcerated in six of the nine major correctional centres across Queensland between May and June 2008. Diagnoses were made of anxiety, depressive and substance misuse disorders using the CIDI; diagnosis of psychotic illness was determined through psychiatrist interviews supplemented by a diagnostic panel. Among the 396 individuals who completed both the interview and the CIDI, the 12-month prevalence of mental disorder was 73% among men and 86% among women. This comprised anxiety disorders (men, 20%; women, 51%); depressive disorders (men, 11%; women, 29%); psychotic disorders (men, 8%; women, 23%) and substance misuse disorders (men, 66%; women, 69%). The prevalence of mental disorder among Indigenous adults in Queensland custody is very high compared with community estimates. There remains an urgent need to develop and resource culturally capable mental health services for Indigenous Australians in custody.

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