Mental health and illness in childhood and adolescence

The focus of this chapter is the role of the nurse in optimising child and youth mental health. An overview of mental disorders experienced during childhood and adolescence is followed by a discussion of mental health promotion for children and young people. In this second edition, we have included a section on eating disorders. Although the lifetime prevalence of these disorders is very low, they are common and nurses play an important role in the care of those affected children and young people admitted to hospital for treatment. The importance of working closely with the parents and families of children and young people disabled by mental illness and the services available to them is emphasised throughout the chapter.