Integrating Children's Mental Health into Primary Care

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2016 Feb;63(1):97-113. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.08.005.

Abstract

Children's mental health problems are among global health advocates' highest priorities. Nearly three-quarters of adult disorders have their onset or origins during childhood, becoming progressively harder to treat over time. Integrating mental health with primary care and other more widely available health services has the potential to increase treatment access during childhood, but requires re-design of currently-available evidence-based practices to fit the context of primary care and place a greater emphasis on promoting positive mental health. While some of this re-design has yet to be accomplished, several components are currently well-defined and show promise of effectiveness and practicality.

Keywords: Children/youth; Mental health; Prevention; Primary care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Mental Health Services / supply & distribution
  • Pediatrics
  • Primary Health Care*