Rise in first-time admissions to country’s psychiatric units

MORE than 6,000 people were admitted to psychiatric units for the first time in their life last year, the youngest of whom was aged just 11.

Figures revealed by the Health Research Board (HRB) show that despite an overall fall in psychiatric admissions between 2009 and 2010, a significant section of the population has mental health issues.

According to the statistics — detailed in the annual Activities of Irish Psychiatric Units and Hospitals Report — 19,619 people were admitted to the specialist units last year — down from 20,195 in 2009.

However, during the same period, there was a 294 person rise in first-time admissions, up from 5,972 to 6,266.

Among the worst affected groups were those aged between 18 and 19 — a group which had the highest rate of first-time admissions in 2010.

A total of 435 under-18s were also admitted last year, 342 of whom were first-time cases — almost equalling the 367 total admissions level for the same cohort 12 months earlier.

Of the total under-18s admissions figure, 78 patients were aged between 11 and 14.

Among the highest overall diagnoses for the children and teenagers bracket were depression (28%), neuroses (11%), schizophrenia (9%) and eating disorders (8%).

The 45-54 age group was also highlighted by the author of the report, research officer Antoinette Daly, who said the figures show people in this section are the “most likely to be admitted” for mental health-related reasons.

The document noted that more than half of the overall admissions in 2010 related to single people, while “in keeping with the pattern of previous years” unskilled workers had both the highest overall and first-time admissions rate out of any professional group.

A total of 140 deaths in psychiatric units were recorded by the HRB last year.

Almost two-thirds of those related to patients aged 75 and over. This is down from 159 in 2009.

Last year, one in every 10 admissions to these facilities were involuntary, higher than the 2% private hospital level, but consistent with previous public facility rates.

Ms Daly told the Irish Examiner that while the recession is playing a role in the adult rates, 74% of admissions in the 45-54 age group were connected to longer medical issues and as such are not necessarily connected to the current climate.