Mental Disorders Affect Large Numbers Of Indigenous Australians In Custody

Date: Jul-02-2012Most Indigenous adults in Queensland prisons have at least one mental disorder, according to a
study published in the July 2 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

The director of Queensland Forensic Mental Health Services, Dr Edward Heffernan, and
coauthors based their findings on interviews with 347 Indigenous men and 72 Indigenous women
who were incarcerated in Queensland in 2008.

The researchers found that 73% of Indigenous men and 86% of Indigenous women in prison had
a mental disorder, compared with 20% prevalence in the Australian community. Specifically, 20%
of men and 51% of women had anxiety disorders, 11% of men and 29% of women had depressive
disorders, 8% of men and 23% of women had psychotic disorders, and 66% of men and 69% of
women had a substance use disorder.

The researchers noted the high prevalence of diagnosed psychotic disorder, particularly among
women, as a concern.
"Psychotic disorder is associated with significant morbidity and increased risk of reincarceration",
the authors wrote.

According to the authors, their findings highlight an urgent need to develop and resource culturally
capable mental health services for Indigenous Australians in custody.
"Access to appropriate treatment may help prevent the 'revolving door' of incarceration", the
authors wrote.

The authors believe the information obtained from the research is crucial to the planning and
implementation of mental health services for Indigenous people in contact with and leaving the
criminal justice system.

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.