Children and adolescents Flashcards
Why is mental health in childhood and adolescence important?
Most important periods for ensuring mental wellbeing
- dynamic brain development
- critical period to acquire: economic, social, emotional and cognitive resources
What is the prevalence of mental health problems in young people?
1 in 5 young people will experience a mental health problem
Which disorders are typically found in children and adolescents?
> Anxiety disorders
> Mood disorders
> Disruptive behavioural disorders
- ADHD
- conduct disorder
- oppositional defiant disorder
> Stress-related disorders
What is the percentage of adult mental health problems that originate before the age of 24?
75%
What are the consequences of childhood and adolescent mental health problems?
Negative outcomes during childhood and adolescence, that continue into adulthood
-> poorer education, economic, health and social outcomes as adults
What does the United Nations’ data (2015) say about young people in the global population?
In the global population:
- 1 in 3 people is aged 0-19
- 90% of children and adolescents live in a LMIC
What causes an increase of the vulnerability to mental health problems in children and adolescents?
Personal and environmental threats:
- conflict
- natural disasters
- violence
- poverty
- poor nutrition
- poor physical health
- gender discrimination
What are the societal and economic consequences of mental health problems?
- Lost productivity
- Community destabilisation
- Greater healthcare use
What is the current issue with mental health policies, plans and services?
Despite the significant burden of poor adolescent mental health and its associations with mental health in adulthood, youth are systematically underserved by existing mental health policies, plans and services
What is the state of the current evidence in certain geographical areas of child and adolescent intervention?
Underrepresentation of mental health research from LMICs
- LMICs concern 6.8% of mental health research between 2005-2009
- low and yet, it’s almost double the LMICs percentage between 1966-2004
What is the issue with current mental health research in LMICs?
- Majority of mental health research in LMICs is conducted in East Asia and Pacific region
- AND mostly focused on schizophrenia
What are the ramifications (consequences) of the currently limited mental health research in LMICs?
> It is difficult to improve outcomes with limited research and publication of findings
> Particularly important for children and adolescents
-> a neglected area
How did Petersen and colleagues (2016) categorise child, adolescent and adult interventions in LMICs?
- Best evidence -> Interventions that should be applied
2. Good evidence -> Interventions that show promise
Which community-based interventions for children and adolescents were shown to improve mental health outcomes (Barry et al., 2013)?
- Social and emotional learning interventions
- Parenting interventions
- behavioural and emotional outcomes in infants and young children - Community parenting interventions
- improvement for preschool and school-going children - Child protection laws
- reduction of child maltreatment (risk factor for MH problems) - Interventions to improve mental health literacy and tackle stigma
- effective for adolescents - Interventions focused on gender and/or economic empowerment
- Targeted interventions
- e.g. children/adolescents with HIV, or living in areas of conflict - Child enrichment and preschool educational programmes
What could be used to engage adolescents in interventions to improve mental health literacy and stigma?
Technology and social media
When are economic interventions most effective?
When integrated with gender empowerment, health and education components
What can hinder the impact of targeted interventions?
Environmental characteristics of individuals
Which type of interventions have no effect on mental health outcomes in children and adolescents?
Short-term interventions (e.g. 3-12 days)
What are the impacts of interventions focusing on child enrichment and preschool educational programmes?
Significant positive impact on:
- child social and emotional outcomes
- school readiness
- behavioural problems
- cognitive skills
Which areas outside of mental health should interventions for children and adolescents also improve?
> Improved relationships with peers and teachers
> Increased academic performance
> Reduced risky sexual behaviour and substance misuse
What is the limit of delivering interventions for children and adolescents within schools?
Nearly half of more than half of adolescents aged 15-17 are not attending school in Africa and much of Asia
What is the mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) developed by the World Health Organisation in 2016?
A programme destined to improve the detection and treatment of mental health problems in LMICs
What is the purpose of the mhGAP Intervention Guide (WHO, 2016)?
To improve access to mental healthcare in LMICs by going training to providers with non-mental health specialties
- including community health workers and teachers
- 8 sections of mental health problems addressed
How is the mhGAP child and adolescent module composed (WHO, 2016)?
Flowchart with:
- Assessment
- Management
- Follow-up
-> train providers to deliver relevant interventions
