Monday 20 October 2014

C is for Children's and youth participation

Photo: Charter of the Rights of the Child in Hospital
Second Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens
It was only this week that I took part in my second focus group, this one was held at my children’s school. All those who took part seemed interested and had to peel themselves away to go and meet their children. You may be surprised at my baby steps. There are so many instances where people seek our opinion today via telephone surveys, market research or when visiting a website. We are all consumers and in the surge to capture people’s attitudes it is worth stopping to ask what of those areas where people are under-represented, excluded or brushed aside? A lot surely comes back to who is involved and what kind of collaborative process they are working towards. With a flood of information the buzz seems to be around what to do with it, meaningful evaluation and feedback.

Photo: Charter of the Rights of the Child in Hospital
Second Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens
 The care of children in healthcare, like any other area, faces flat-lining budgets and administrators’ scrutiny. Many argue it is still important to look at children themselves and engage with them regarding their healthcare journey. Child friendly services and economic considerations can combine.  I have compiled a bibliography with a selection of resources on children’s participation. Key points about children’s and youth participation described are what it means both generally, in the healthcare environment and for healthcare design. The information touches on the significance of children’s participation for individuals, collectively and as a future imperative. Children’s participation is described not as a single event but as an ongoing process. Evaluation looks at some examples of best practice, literature reviews, models and research studies. There are also links to projects where value has been enhanced through children’s participation and work that points to benefits of children’s participation.
Photo: Charter of the Rights of the Child in Hospital
Second Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens

The Charter of Rights of the Child in Hospital, Greece, simply puts it in child-friendly terms “I have the right to participate in improvement of the Hospital”. Referring to article 12 United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, “we will ask you what services you need”, “we will seek your opinion on the design/planning of services, we will ask your opinion about the context of health programmes”.

The Children’s Hospital Australasia, CHA, partnered with Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare, AWCH, to produce the Charter on the Rights of Children and Young People in Healthcare Services in Australia. The Charter outlines 11 rights of children in healthcare, including the right to be involved and participate. Children should not be brushed aside.


The selected bibliography with current* links to information is entitled “C is for children’s and youth participation – who is involved?”. It has been compiled because this is an area where definitions can be many and varied and database searching is not easy. It is another aspect of AWCH’s advocacy work on patient and family centred care.

Link to some AWCH library resources on:
 
    Photo: Charter of the Rights of the Child in Hospital
    Second Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens
Jillian Rattray 
AWCH librarian
library.awch.org.au
October 2014

(*current at the time of posting)



Thursday 16 October 2014

The Young Mind


Co-edited by Professor Sue Bailey and Dr Mike Schooter
Published by Transworld in collaboration with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK, 2009. ISBN: 9780593061381
(cover title: The Young mind: an essential guide to mental health for young adults, parents and teachers).

This helpful resource is worth dipping into and can be read either by chapter/s of relevance or as a whole to inform parents, teachers and young adults. The young mind is designed as a handbook to bring together information by leading British experts. Today, with so much information at hand including conflicting information, it is great to have so many specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry write about their particular area of expertise. In the introduction, the editors describe how the book helps to distinguish between layers of concern and what lies at the centre of a problem. Stages of child and adolescent development are linked with the information.

The book has six parts covering topics such as child and adolescent development; parenting and parenting skills in adolescence; school; emotional health and wellbeing. Serious problems young people experience today are explored such as abuse, neglect and domestic violence, worries and anxieties, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders, drugs, alcohol, eating problems, sleep, fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, self-harm and psychosexual development. Final chapters look at treatments and therapies for children and adolescents in mental health as well as transition to adulthood.

Throughout the book find vignettes, these little stories provide insight and help illustrate themes in various chapters. The young mind is written in a British context and some chapters tie in with British services. The book provides a comprehensive overview with clear text and links to resources in each chapter including some Australian and New Zealand resources.
Other resources surrounding mental health issues can be found in the AWCH collection and are available for loan, they include DVDs such as Family focus: talking together about parental depression and anxietyWhat is… Tourette syndrome? and Play Now/Act Now: Young people and alcohol. Books are available on topics such as ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, grief and bereavement, Children of parents with a mental illness (COPMI) as well as coping with chronic illness. Links to Australian and international online resources can also be found on the AWCH Library catalogue. To find out about borrowing The Young mind or other resources contact the AWCH office or AWCH library. Your feedback is most welcome.




Reviewed by Jillian Rattray
AWCH librarian
October, 2014
http://library.awch.com.au

Monday 13 October 2014

At least 6 ways to be unique in this October's Mental Health Awareness month



October is Mental Health Awareness month. You may have joined many interested viewers, listeners, bloggers and tweeters in the media this week. This year National Mental Health Week, runs from 5 to 11 October with 10 October being World Mental Health Day, WMHD. This is a global program which aims to promote education, awareness and advocacy.

The ABC is going “Mental as” by supporting Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental health experts are hoping that this year’s Mental Health Week will work to further diminish the stigma associated with mental illness. Mental Health Australia outlines three objectives for WMHD this year, “to encourage help seeking behaviour, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and foster connectivity throughout communities”. Focus for this year’s campaign is on Mental Health begins with me and good mental health is important to everyone. You can participate by linking to post a mental health promise.

Visit Mental Health Month NSW, to find out about the theme for Mental Health Awareness Month this year, ‘beYOUnique!’.  Access a downloadable Mental Health Month Starter Kit 2014 and view events that promote good mental health in the community. Their other intiatives designed to promote mental health and benefit all include, Mental Health Month Art page or Stress Less Tip Art page.

Link to organisations such as Headspace Mental Awareness Week Campaign and ZIP IT, donate your voice campaign or SANE to find out more ways to show your support and access information. Other Australian resources aimed at young people and children are Kidshelpline, Blackdog Institute school teaching resource and teacher webinars (there’s one next week), Reachout,  Youthbeyondblue and Children of Parents with a Mental Illness.

In support of Mental Health Week at AWCH, we have posted a book review for The young mind: an essential guide to mental health for young adults, parents and teachers. Co-edited by Professor Sue Bailey and Dr Mike Schooter and in collaboration with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK. This really helpful book from people in the know, fits well with the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness which encourages increased community understanding. So whether you are viewing, reading, affirming, posting, educating or hosting, I hope you find at least 6 ways to think about good mental health.



Jillian Rattray
AWCH librarian 
http://library.awch.com.au

October 2014