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Abstract

Background: Mental health is without doubt one of the most vital aspects of any child's development. It is an essential part of children's overall health and has an impact on the child’s physical health and their ability to be successful. Mental health increases children’s opportunity to live up to their full potential and do what is best for themselves and the people around them. Method: In order to carry out this assessment we applied qualitative and quantitative methodology. Key findings: • Whilst some child mental health services exist, these are fragmented between the public and private sector. There needs to be a catalogue of comprehensive and coordinated services, which health care professionals can access to improve care delivery and utilization of these services. • There is a shortage of child mental health professionals such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, mental health nurses and psychologists. There is also a need for on–going training and career development for existing professionals. • There is an important need to develop and improve mental health services in the Educational system that is tied in with children’s mental health services. This will allow provision of effective and timely school interventions for children who require special educational or supportive interventions due to mental health issues. • 16.4% of children (through their families) seek help for ASD assessment between the age group 6–18+. It is critical to understand and address factors for seeking late–stage diagnosis, as ASD can be diagnosed much earlier and how many of these later presenters are actually diagnosed with ASD. • It is suggested that half of the children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have yet to have the condition diagnosed. This may be due to lack of awareness and stigma Recent Publications • Dr Kadhim Alabady, Sue Green, Euan Williamson, Jenny Wright, Clive Rennie, The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) for Norfolk, 2014 • Dr Kadhim Alabady, Update Autism needs assessment for Norfolk and Waveney, 2013, • Mental Health Needs Assessment for Norfolk and Waveney, 2013: Dr Kadhim Alabady, Linda Hillman, Clive Rennie • Kadhim Alabady, Gift Ochiba, Linda Hillman; Dementia needs assessment for Norfolk, UK. • Dr Kadhim Alabady, Suzanne Meredith, Cancer Needs assessment for Norfolk and Waveney, 2015.

Biography

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (FRCP – Glasgow). Hold a Doctorate degree in Public Health and Epidemiology, Master degree in Clinical Epidemiology (MSc), Master degree in Public Health (MPH), all from The Netherlands Universities with broad experience driving Research and Development (R&D) strategies and operations. Registered as Epidemiologist Grade A with The Netherlands Epidemiological Society. Has numerous publications in the UK in mental illnesses, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Dementia, Autism, COPD, population health, road casualties and others.

E-mail: kalabady@dha.gov.ae