Needs of Children and Young People Living with Complex Mental Health Difficulties

This book highlights how it is increasingly important that nurses and other health and social care professionals working with or caring for children and young people (CYP) can contribute to the care and support these vulnerable individuals need. Given the limited specialist mental health services available for CYP, this book helps to recognise when referral to specialist services is required. It is aimed at providing nurses, other health and social care professionals with a comprehensive understanding of some of the complex mental health issues faced by young people today and to provide them with confidence in how to interact helpfully with them.

While covering a range of complex mental health issues (such as self-harm, eating disorders, and psychosis) this book also explores wider factors that can influence poor mental health (such as being Looked After, having a disability, drugs and alcohol, and social media). Alongside these, it explores some of the wider systems and processes that can provide practical guidance to practitioners (having a Trauma-informed approach, awareness of risk management, and safeguarding). Lastly, the book recognises how overwhelming it can be for practitioners working in this field and explores how they can use reflective practice and self-care in the development of a therapeutic relationship that enables them to interact positively and non-judgementally with young people with complex mental health issues. Examples of good practice are provided throughout the book by using case scenarios and tips from young people with lived experience.