Review: Improving access to mental health interventions for children from birth to five years: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• Infants and children aged 0-5 years globally experience mental health difficulties (6%-18%), yet their needs are often overlooked in specialist services.
• Access to infant mental health services remains a significant barrier, despite growing recognition of their importance.
• Knowledge gaps exist regarding how specialized services ensure access for at-risk infants and their families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the knowledge gap concerning access to infant mental health services.
• To identify factors influencing access and provision of mental health care for young children (0-5 years).
• To inform future service design for improved accessibility.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology was employed.
• Searches were conducted across five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SocIndex, Web of Science) for articles published between January 2000 and July 2021.
• Empirical research on access to infant mental health services and models of care was selected, with 28 articles included.

Main Results:

• Findings are categorized into five themes: accessibility for at-risk populations, early detection importance, culturally responsive services, sustainability of services, and integration of innovative interventions.
• Key themes highlight barriers to accessing and providing infant mental health (IMH) services.
• Early detection and culturally sensitive approaches are crucial for effective interventions.

Conclusions:

• The review underscores significant barriers to the access and provision of infant mental health services.
• Future infant mental health service design requires research-informed strategies to enhance accessibility for young children and families.
• Improving access necessitates a focus on early detection, cultural responsiveness, and integrated care models.