ABSTRACT
Mental health issues are relatively common among children and young people. They are even more common among young people who offend; may be associated with self-harm and suicidal behaviour; may be a manifestation of serious physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or of poverty and deprivation; and may lead to self-medication with illicit drugs. This chapter explores what is meant by ‘mental health’ within the context of adolescence in particular; outlines the prevalence of mental health problems for this age group and specifically for young people in the youth justice system; and looks at some of the theoretical explanations of the relationship between mental health and offending behaviour by children and young people. While the evidence base for mental health interventions is not well established, compounded by what appear to be endemic systemic issues in providing timely and appropriate services for this highly vulnerable group of young people, the chapter attempts to identify some implications for practice from what research there is.
