Children living with long term conditions - child and adolescent mental health : the nursing response

Foster, C

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to explore the issues of mental health in relation to childhood and adolescent developmental tasks and the impact of long-term conditions. The assumption is made that nursing is primarily an interpersonal activity and that for the nurse this is a starting point for successful interventions in adolescent health care. There are two central themes for this chapter. First, there is strong and growing evidence for the fundamental inter-relationship between physical mental and social health. Problems in adolescence in any of these areas indicate the likelihood of long-term adverse health and social consequences. Second, the importance of knowledge and understanding of child development as a foundation upon which core children’s nursing skills can be used to help young people who are experiencing emotional distress. In this chapter the case will be made that the children’s nurse can make a significant contribution to the care of this client group in terms of physical and mental health. It will set out the policy and legal frameworks in which children’s nurses’ responsibilities to the mental health and wellbeing of children are situated; explain the link between physical and emotional health issues; and outline how mental distress of children and young people can be understood in the context of their developmental and social history. Finally, how this knowledge can enable children’s nurses to use elements of their core nursing skills and training to effectively contribute to meeting the mental health needs of children they meet in their everyday practice, will be demonstrated.

Citation

Foster, C. (2021). Children living with long term conditions - child and adolescent mental health : the nursing response. In A. Glasper, J. Richardson, & D. Randall (Eds.), A Textbook of Children and Young People's Nursing. 3rd Edition. Elsevier

• Publication Date: Apr 12, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2020
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Book Title: A Textbook of Children and Young People's Nursing. 3rd Edition
• ISBN: 9780702062322-(paperback);-9780702065392-(ebook)
• Publisher URL: https://www.uk.elsevierhealth.com/a-textbook-of-childrens-and-young-peoples-nursing-9780702062322.html