Study of under-18s: One in every six youngsters in the Clonmel area of Co Tipperary have significant mental health problems, according to a study of more than 4,000 under-18s in the town and its environs. It is believed this figure could be replicated elsewhere.
Conducted by the South Eastern Health Board, in conjunction with University College Dublin, the study, which began last September, looked at the prevalence of mental health problems across a wide age group from toddlers to school leavers. The youngest surveyed were 1½ years old.
The preliminary findings, presented at a conference in Dublin yesterday, show the overall prevalence of mental health problems was 17 per cent. The prevalence of mental health problems among preschool children was 12 per cent, among national school children 11 per cent and among secondary level school children 24 per cent.
The researchers concluded: "About 17 per cent of children in Clonmel have significant mental health problems. Clonmel is a typical rural community care district, so it is probable that at a national level in rural areas the prevalence of mental health problems amongst youngsters under 18 is about 17 per cent.
This finding is therefore slightly higher than results of previous Irish epidemiological child mental health studies. However, past studies have been confined to a far narrower age and involved far smaller samples."
In-depth interviews with families where cases of significant mental health problems were found will now be conducted over the next 12 months to establish the causes.
The study aims to profile the mental health service needs of this age group and make recommendations. Precise statistics on the level of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, suicidal thoughts, learning disability and other disorders among the children are expected to be available later.
Maeve Martin, principal psychologist with the former South Eastern Health Board, said she was concerned that almost a quarter of those at second level had mental health problems. She said Clonmel was chosen for the research because of its good mix of population, it had both "inner city and rural elements" and was typical of a community care district.