Year: 2006
Type: report
Abstract: The wealth of a nation is the health of its children.Psychological wellbeing and general health benefi t from an early investment in child and adolescent development.There is a growing evidence base for benefi cial and lasting eff ects of parent support and skills education on many child and adolescent health outcomes, recognising the important role of early childhood experiences in promoting positive mental health.Interventions designed to foster resilience by promoting self-esteem, coping and life skills are required not just for individuals at risk of mental health problems, but across entire populations.While recognising that some children and their families are at higher risk of emotional and mental ill health, requiring complex and substantial interventions, it is beyond the scope of this review to specifi cally address the needs of any such particular population group.In recognition of the need to build capacity and expertise for the promotion of positive mental health and in line with the Programme of Action for Children's commitment to improving quality, standards and equity of service provision for children and young people, this review has been undertaken to inform the development of a Child Mental and Emotional Health Module for the National Training Programme in Child Health Screening, Surveillance and Health Promotion Training Programme for Public Health Nurses and Doctors, thereby facilitating implementation and translation of evidence into practice.The WHO European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Development outlines the need to develop national frameworks for evidence based review and improvement of child and adolescent health policies, programmes and action plans, from a life course perspective, to promote and coordinate multisectoral action to address the main health issues for children and young people.We know what works to improve child and adolescent mental health.The national mental health strategy 'A Vision for Change' provides the context for progress in Ireland, underlining the need for capacity building through training, education and additional resources.The authors endorse the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasises that the provision of services in response to need and in line with good practice as outlined in this review is not optional, but a legal requirement.
Authors: Carmel Cummins, Christine McMaster
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1573139854