Kim?Michelle Gilson|Elise Davis|Stewart P. Johnson|Joan Gains|Dinah Reddihough|Katrina Williams
Mental health care needs and preferences for mothers of children with a disability
Royal Children's Hospital|University of Melbourne|Murdoch Children's Research Institute|University of Melbourne|University of Melbourne|Murdoch Children's Research Institute|University of Melbourne|Royal Children's Hospital|Murdoch Children's Research Institute|University of Melbourne|Royal Children's Hospital
abstract background mothers children disability increased risk poor mental health compared mothers typically developing children aim study describe mental health care needs preferences support mothers children young people aged 025 years disability methods crosssectional study used using online survey 294 mothers children disability questions asked mental health perceived need support barriers accessing mental health care preferences support descriptive chisquared analyses performed results high rates mental ill health selfidentified previous 12 months reported clinically significant depression 44 anxiety 42 suicidality 22 nearly half 48 mothers reported high high psychological distress although 75 mothers perceived need professional support 58 attempted access key barriers accessing support caregiving duties making difficult schedule appointments 45 perceiving mental health problem serious enough require help 36 individual counselling preferred type support 66 followed professionally guided relaxation 49 education mental health 47 support considered critical time diagnosis medical intervention child conclusions although mental health problems common mothers perceived need professional help several key barriers preventing mothers accessing help study suggests improving mothers knowledge seek help mental health literacy may encourage access support also needs accessible treatment mothers given high care demands placed upon