Introduction to Mental Health for Child and Youth Care

As child and youth care practitioners increasingly engage with children, youth, and their families impacted by mental health concerns, the need for supporting resources is higher than ever. Recognizing the importance of mental health literacy, Introduction to Mental Health for Child and Youth Care is specifically designed to meet the professional practice needs of child and youth care practitioners. The first half examines the practitioner’s role in mental health care, issues with interprofessional communication and self-care, Indigenous perspectives on wellness, cultural safety and continuity, stigma, the domains of brain functioning, and how diagnoses are ascertained. Specific attention toward understanding mental health care through the theoretical perspectives of resilience, attachment, and trauma-informed care and unpacking the process of suicide intervention is offered. The second half addresses symptoms and interventions of various disorders common in child and adolescent populations, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, feeding and eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorder, in reference to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Readers will appreciate the organized structure, up-to-date content, and practical approach used in this textbook. Introduction to Mental Health for Child and Youth Care is an essential resource in mental health courses in child and youth care, human services, and social work programs. FEATURES: Includes examples of evidence-based and emerging interventions designed to address specific disorders Features links to online videos and further readings, as well as reflective activities that can be implemented in class or group discussions to encourage further exploration