Congratulations to a ARCH Lab’s Shannon Reaume on the successful defence of her PhD thesis!
Shannon’s dissertation used the 2014 Ontario Child Health study to examine the burden, risk factors, and mental health service outcomes for children with physical-mental multimorbidity.
Shannon’s research found 27.8% of children in Ontario live with chronic physical illness, 14.8% live with mental illness, and 5.4% have physical-mental multimorbidity. Children with physical illness are twice as likely to have a mood disorder. Associated between physical and mental illness are nuanced. Children with 2 physical illnesses have higher odds of having any mental illness, mood, and anxiety disorders.
Overall, Shannon’s findings indicate mental illness prevention efforts should target declines in functional health and that targeting social skills with strong inclusion policies is needed. Furthermore, integrated care must include health, mental health, and education systems, with care plans being well-communicated and coordinated to meet the complex needs of children living with chronic physical illness.
Congratulations Shannon! We wish you continued success.
