Prevalence of low-level mental health disorder.

• Jurisdiction: Australia
• Date: 01 September 2012
• Author: Lawrence, Petra

Mental health problems and alcohol are often interrelated and few seek help from health professionals early in their illness (Whitford and Groves 2009).

The emergency department (ED) has been identified as a high yield setting for alcohol screening (Babor et al 2007). It is probable many people who present to ED (usually for a somatic injury/insult) with mental health and alcohol use comorbidity will not be detected; and most attendees will be discharged with no follow up or after care. It is likely that for some, their mental state will deteriorate further, with consequent increased use of alcohol and other substances resulting in significant health deterioration and increased morbidity.

An exploratory study was undertaken at a public Brisbane hospital ED between February...