Child & Youth Mental Health Algorithm - GPSC

ChildandYouthMentalHealthPSPModule Spirituality Provide an appropriate environment in which spiritual orreligious components can be addressedSafety Provide an environment in which your child is safe, monitoryour child’s activities; friends; health*ModifiedfromEpstein,R.WhatMakesaGoodParent?ScientificAmericanMind.November/December.2010:46–49.5. Developmental TransitionsPrimary health care providers are key in facilitating the transition of a young personwith a mental disorder to an adult patient care setting. This transitional processrepresents a challenge to the health care system. Well organized transitions areneeded but in many cases do not happen, which results in failure to seamlesslytransition to adult-oriented systems as well as higher risk for negative outcomes.Primary healthcare providers provide longitudinal patient care and facilitate healthpromotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counseling, patient education,and diagnosis and treatment of illnesses including mental disorders. Adolescentsand family members are often reluctant to end longstanding relationships with theiryouth mental health provider as they transition to the adult system. Maintainingtheir relationship with their primary care provider is essential during this time.An additional transition stressor is moving to a new city to undertake furtherschooling or for work. Referral to a health provider in the new location can befacilitated by the patient primary care physician. A program called Transitions,designed to assist this process, is available in many Canadian post secondaryinstitutions (for more information about this resource visitwww.teenmentalhealth.org) This and others barriers can be overcome byestablishing well coordinated transitional process, including: transition planning,good information transfer across teams, working jointly amongst teams andcontinuity of care following transition.There is no clear defining point between adolescence and adulthood. Medicationmanagement and psychotherapies such as CBT may become more effective witholder age. Social, family and economic circumstances will change and their impactResources - Lifespan of Mental Illnesses1913of