OLDER offenders in WA are not adequately using mental health services, according to research. “Over 40 per cent of incoming prisoners over 45 years have a diagnosed mental illness [and] nearly half of these are first-time offenders,” University of Western Australia researcher Dr Nita Sodhi-Berry says. “Yet according to our study, only nine per cent of first-time prisoners aged 45 and above had used a mental health service in the year before being sentenced. This reflects on the poor uptake of these services.”

Researchers found that even after they left custody, only 23 per cent of older offenders used mental health services within the following five years. It was also found that less than half of those who had made use of services before they were sentenced returned to them post-sentence completion. However, those who had previously been treated for psychotic disorders were more likely to get help than those with other disorders. “From observations in the general public, it may be that psychotic disorders form the more serious end of the psychiatric disorder spectrum, and may therefore be more likely to be detected and/or referred to mental health services in offenders as well,” Dr Sodhi-Berry says. Overall, the study examined 1,853 offenders over the age of 45 who entered the WA correctional system between 1985 and 1994 and 1,877 non-offenders. Among its findings was that hospitalisation for a chronic physical health condition predicted use of mental health services after sentencing.

Physical illness may link to mental ailment

This suggests medical practitioners should look for symptoms of mental illness in those with persistent physical ailments, as trouble in the body may be associated with a disorder of the mind. “General population studies have identified higher prevalence of mental disorders and a greater likelihood of using mental health services in people with chronic physical illnesses than in those without,” Dr Sodhi-Berry says. “Experiencing a serious physical ailment or accident increases the likelihood of receiving mental healthcare and prescriptions by at least three times.” Dr Sodhi-Berry says it would be beneficial to have greater public awareness of the broad range of mental disorders and services available to treat them. She also advocates implementing pre-release mental and physical health assessments and referrals to community-based services in older offenders nearing sentence completion, which may allow greater continuity of care and smoother transitions into community life.

This article first appeared Science Network, 5 May 2015.