Health needs of young offenders

Health services' input to the Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) is an integral component of the YOTs' philosophy. Fifty young people aged 14-18 years, who attended two representative YOTs consecutively, completed a health checklist and a strengths and difficulties questionnaire. They were interviewed on the health of the nation outcome scales for children and adolescents and their perceptions of health needs and services. The young people reported high rates of accidents and injuries, admissions to hospital, emotional and peer relationships difficulties. Their perceptions of what mental illness means varied between stigma, aggression, lack of coping, previous experiences and physical ill-health. Only five young people expressed a wish to receive mental health help. The findings are discussed in relation to health services provision to the YOTs.