The mental health of children and young people: the EMHA role.
Children and young people frequently experience emotional and mental health problems, and the promotion of mental health is a high priority for those working with this client group. This paper describes the educational and supportive role of the principal author, a recent recipient of the CPHVA Education and Development Trust MacQueen Award, working as a registered mental health nurse within the children's services team of a primary care trust. It describes how the emotional and mental health advisor (EMHA) role has developed, and discusses the initiatives that have been implemented through working closely with an extremely skilled and creative team of school nurses and health visitors. It also highlights development in practitioners' abilities in promoting the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people. The initiatives are discussed together with the EMHA's personal reflections on the role. A comprehensive and systematic evaluation is in progress and will be reported on at a later date.
Bone
Deborah
D
East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust. deborah.bone@herts-pcts.nhs.uk
Knight
Denise
D
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012573:School Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration