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Trigger unhappy
Annita Wahab
The author pulls together the recent thinking about why young people join gangs, and carry guns. Some of the commentators believe that gun crime is increasing, and puts it down to social problems e.g. absent fathers, failing at school, social exclusion etc. Others think that poorly attached children are more likely to be aggressive later on. The article also looks at a book called True Notebooks, by Mark Salzman. This describes some of the early experiences of young offenders, and how they contribute to antisocial behaviour. Plus, it also looks at some interventions, which are proving some success.
A growing concern - the mental health of overweight children
Dr Laurel Edmunds, Dr Rachel Bryant-Waugh and Phillip Hodson
This debate looks at the mental health issues for overweight children, and includes contributions from a researcher from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a consultant clinical psychologist, and a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. They all discuss how mental health services can help, but all give a degree of caution as to when and how to intervene.
Invisible victims
Ben Smith
This article highlights how being a victim of, or witnessing crime can impact on a child’s mental health. The author states that mental health services often overlook the link between young offending and victimisation, and says that it is vital that services take this into account. The article also mentioned what Victim Support is doing to help young victims of crime.
Parent power
Scott Sells
The author looks at some of the reasons why just giving parents advice on parenting skills doesn’t always work. He uses the documentary called Primetime Live to illustrate his point, which was about a single-mother and two out-of-control twin boys. In short, the boys spent some time in residential therapy, and were trained how to behave, whilst she was given advice about what to do. When the boys returned home, the bad behaviour soon returned. The author concluded that the problem was that despite being given advice, the mother was still not able to implement what she was being told to do, and suggests that she might benefit from process therapy, which helps a client try out different behaviours in a non-stressful environment.
Professional Dilemma
David Clarke and Lesley Kahney
The article presents a fictional case regarding a boy who has ADHD, and has been excluded twice from school due to his behaviour. The Ritalin he has been prescribed doesn’t appear to be working, and his behaviour is having an impact on his whole family. This is followed by the opinions of two mental health professionals who give their thoughts and state what they would do to help the situation.
Regional Development - Northwest England
Miranda Wolpert, Bob Foster and Cynthia Fletcher
This article consists of an initial section by Miranda Wolpert and Bob Foster introducing the work of Cynthia Fletcher, Regional Development Workers (RDW) for the North West of England. The rest of the article is by Cynthia Fletcher, and gives some examples of good practice in CAMHS from this region.
The door's always open
David Trevatt
This article looks at the causes of adolescent-parent problems and how they manifest. Plus, it looks at the development of the Parents’ Consultation Service, which came about as means of addressing this need. This service evolved as a result of young people with difficulties not accessing services. The service is open to all parents who have concerns about their adolescents to improve parent – adolescent relationships and the article goes in to detail about the six session model that the service offers.
The story so far
Dr Caroline Lindsey
The author, who is co-chair of the CAMHS External Working Group (EWG) gives an overview of the work that was carried out to inform the CAMHS module of the Children’s National Service Framework. The CAMHS EWG was divided into sub-groups that covered Tier 1 and 2 services, Tier 2 and 3 services, Tier 4 services, learning disabilities, evidence, outcomes, commissioning and user involvement. This article gives some of the key findings from these groups. Their final report came to about 150 pages, but the author warns that the final decision about what goes into the final NSF is down to Ministers.
Thin and proud
Angela Neustatter
This article looks at the growing use of pro-anorexia, and pro-bulima websites in the last few years. The author looks at the issue in the light of the high prevalence of eating disorders in adolescents from the perspective of those in favour of these sites i.e. the website users who see it as a life-style choice, and those who are against it i.e. mental health professionals and families who see the sites as perpetuating ill health and unhappiness.
Waiting game
Carmen Clemente, Rita McGrath and Clare Stevenson
This article looks at the implementation of a new initial assessment system at one of the two sites of the Enfield Child Guidance Service. The main aims were to cut the waiting list, revive staff morale, improve attendance at first appointments, and improve multidisciplinary team working. The authors discuss how they set up the assessment system, and how it was evaluated. During the first year they reduced the waiting times for first appointment from six months to three months, staff morale improved and most parents surveyed were satisfied.
Opinion: Key players
Stephen Ladyman, MP
This column is written Stephen Ladyman, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, who has responsibility for children’s health services. He gives an overview of the various initiatives and funding streams that have come on-line to help develop CAMHS. Also, he discusses the structural changes that are being made to better co-ordinate the delivery of children’s services i.e. the post of Minister for Children and Young People, and the bringing together of the various aspects of policy and services for children and young people. Plus, he discusses how the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) are working together, given that the primary policy responsibility for CAMHS and other aspects of children’s healthcare still rests with the DH, whereas other children’s policy areas have moved to the DfES.
Review: Child protection and child mental health services
Dr Rosemary Sheehan
This book examines professional responses to families where mothers have mental health problems and there are concerns about the child’s welfare. It is based on a research project, which looked into these issues. The reviewer found this book well written and recommends it too not only professionals, but to policy makers and clients.
Review: Communicating with vulnerable children
Camila Batmanghelidjh
The reviewer states that although the book is presented around the central issue of the disclosure process with vulnerable children, it would be useful as a basic text for everyone involved with children. The reviewer recommends it.
Review: Elephant
Imogen Le Patourel
This film (certificate 15) is an experimental extended meditation on the Columbine school massacre, written and directed by Gus Van Sant. The reviewer says that some might find the unconventionality of Van Sant’s approach distracting, or more likely plain irritating – but she found that, somehow, it really worked and was surprisingly powerful.
Review: Psychic hooks and bolts
Robert Balbernie
This book gives a clinically rich and clear description of psychoanalytic work with children under five and their problems, and work with their families. The reviewer recommends this book to anyone working with very young children and their families.
Review: Responding to adolescents
Camila Batmanghelidjh
The review states that this will probably be a very valuable introductory text for mentors and youth workers in training, but probably not that suitable to more experienced youth workers.
Review: Sylvia
Imogen Le Patourel
This film looks at the relationship between Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. The reviewer states that the film is genuinely respectful of Plath’s profound distress. However, she states that the portrayal of Plath would be a disappointment for those fans who are seeking real insight into her brilliance, her depression or her passions.
Review: The curious incident of the dog in the night time
Richard Hanks
This fictional book is narrated by a 15-year-old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome. It starts with the murder of a neighbour’s dog, and unfolds into an exploration of the main character and his convoluted family life.
Webwatch: Testing Times
Rachel Hindley
This column looks at how drugs are presented in their illegal context on the net to various audiences.
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