Prescribed sleep medication use is prevalent (20.9%) among children and young people experiencing mental health crises, and is associated with longer length of stay, trauma-related psychiatric conditions, and polypharmacy.
In a cross-sectional study of 201 children and young people (CYP) attending a mental health crisis service in Sydney, 20.9% were prescribed sleep medications (e.g., melatonin, benzodiazepines). Multivariate regression showed that longer length of stay (AOR=3.61), trauma-related psychiatric conditions (AOR=2.81), and polypharmacy (AOR=11.36) were significantly associated with increased prescribed sleep medication use.
Evidence Score
Study Evidence
Study 1. A Cross-Sectional Study of Prescribed Sleep Medication Use and Its Clinical and Demographic Factors Among Young People Receiving Mental Health Crisis Interventions in Sydney, Australia.
observationalHuda MN, Jamali H, Monir M, Rahman A, Schlesinger AM, Bartrop I, Barton G, Hurst A, Andrews C, Eapen V, Jairam R · Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, Inc (2026)
Result: In a cross-sectional study of 201 children and young people (CYP) attending a mental health crisis service in Sydney, 20.9% were prescribed sleep medications (e.g., melatonin, benzodiazepines). Multivariate regression showed that longer length of stay (AOR=3.61), trauma-related psychiatric conditions (AOR=2.81), and polypharmacy (AOR=11.36) were significantly associated with increased prescribed sleep medication use.
Mechanism Graph
Limitations
- ⚠Cross-sectional design limits causal inference
- ⚠Single-site study may limit generalizability
- ⚠Reliance on electronic medical records may miss over-the-counter or non-prescribed sleep aids
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prevalence of prescribed sleep medication use in young people with mental health crises?▼
The prevalence was 20.9% in this study of 201 children and young people.
Which factors are associated with prescribed sleep medication use in this population?▼
Longer length of stay, trauma-related psychiatric conditions, and polypharmacy were significantly associated with increased use.
What types of sleep medications were prescribed?▼
The study mentions melatonin and benzodiazepines as examples of prescribed sleep medications.
What are the clinical implications of this study?▼
The authors highlight the need for careful consideration of risks, drug interactions, and limited long-term benefits, and recommend addressing underlying causes and non-pharmacological interventions.
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References
- 1.Huda MN, Jamali H, Monir M, Rahman A, Schlesinger AM, Bartrop I, Barton G, Hurst A, Andrews C, Eapen V, Jairam R. "A Cross-Sectional Study of Prescribed Sleep Medication Use and Its Clinical and Demographic Factors Among Young People Receiving Mental Health Crisis Interventions in Sydney, Australia.." Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, Inc, 2026. PMID: 42560083 DOI: 10.1111/jcap.70071