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Purpose: Evidence on co-occurring mental health problems in youth with physical disabilities is growing, however how services are provided remains unclear. This study examined current interprofessional rehabilitation practices for physical and mental health services. Methods: Youth (aged 15–24) followed for a physical disability that had mental health problems were identified. Chart reviews were used to identify practices. Mental health-related diagnoses/symptoms, assessments, goals, interventions, and referrals were extracted for inductive content analysis. Results: Sixty charts were reviewed. Mental health problems included anxiety (n = 53), depression (n = 25), neurodevelopmental (n = 19) and personality disorders (n = 8), often (n = 36) citing more than one. No mental health assessments were found, and in 43%, no goals or interventions were evident. Relevant goals (n = 98) targeted emotional management, autonomy/communication of needs, acceptance of physical condition, socialization, routines/energy levels, school/work supports, and leisure/calming environments. Interventions (n = 104) included emotional management, formal individual/group therapy, links with external supports, routines/activities, reflection/acceptance, and school/work support. Mental health services were received in-house (n = 24) and/or externally (n = 30), plus 18 referrals pending and 14 not referred. Conclusion: Many had more than one mental health problem, suggesting the complexity of their condition. While some mental health goals/interventions are documented, problems may often not be reported or addressed in this context. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Further attention can be directed to the needs of youth with physical disabilities and co-occurring mental health problems as they are not fully addressed by current interdisciplinary rehabilitation practices. Follow-up (services and referrals) should be adapted to the holistic needs of youth and their goals within the rehabilitation context. Rehabilitation professionals can be provided with training to build workforce capacity in mental health screening and have access to guidance when addressing situations related to mental health or referring to external services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge about services addressing mental health provided in a rehabilitation setting to youth with physical disabilities is limited. This study aimed to better understand the needs, supports, challenges and potential solutions to optimize rehabilitation services for co-occurring physical and mental health needs, from the perspectives of youth, family members and clinicians., Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach using 22 individual interviews with youth, parents and clinicians from five rehabilitation centres in a large Canadian city was employed. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted., Results: Three themes were identified across the three stakeholder groups: (1) available clinical resources for mental health (access to mental health professionals, impact of organizational structures and mandates and continuity of services during transition to adult care); (2) clinician workforce capacity (mental health knowledge, skills and professional development, and therapeutic rapport between clinician and youth); and (3) links and partnerships with key players (improved pathways to access mental health services across programmes and organizations, and family involvement and advocacy)., Conclusion: This study provides insights to barriers for mental health care (such as limited mental health knowledge, tools and professional development and access to specialists within the team, restrictive organizational mandates and disruption of services during the transition to adult care), illustrating important aspects to address. Clinicians can be better equipped to address mental health in rehabilitation settings via training opportunities and peer and organizational support in addition to establishing links with external partners. Organizations can also ensure adequate staffing and create pathways within and beyond their institutions to deliver well-coordinated mental health services in a more accessible way., (© 2024 The Author(s). Child: Care, Health and Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)