title: We need psychologists!
abstract: Paediatricians are more likely than ever to encounter patients with mental health problems on a daily basis. There is a need for investment in proven treatments, such as psychology-based interventions, for children identified with mental health disorders. There are four main arguments supporting the engagement of psychologists for children with mental health problems: there is clear evidence that psychological interventions can effectively treat a wide range of mental health disorders; many parents and children are more open to exploring psychological therapies rather than medication for mental health problems; psychologists are trained and licensed to perform psychoeducational assessments, which can provide invaluable information about a child's learning profile, attention problems and overall intelligence; and behaviour problems in children can be prevented or improved through parent-based interventions. The authors' strongly advocate for the public funding of psychology services - both in collaborative primary care models and in the school setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario;; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario;; Department of Paediatrics, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario;
authors.forename: Meta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van den Heuvel
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario;; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario;; Department of Paediatrics, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario;
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barozzino
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Milligan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario;; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario;
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ford-Jones
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario;; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario;; Department of Paediatrics, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario;
authors.forename: Sloane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Freeman
keywords: Collaborative care; Mental health; Psychologist services