EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN, INETRVENTION AND ROLE OF PEDIATRICIAN

Abstract

Mental health problems in children and young people are a growing problem wordwide. It is estimated that 10% of children and young people have mental health problems so severe that they impact not only on their day-to-day life but, if left untreated, can leave permanent consequences. More importantly, a child with a psihiatrical problem can grow into a stabile adult with an adequate aprouch of health care service and the enviroment.

Children and young people can have a variety of mental health problems including:anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), eating disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia. Early recognition of symptoms is crutial because it enables the comprenhensive assesment, individual support plan and treatment for each child, early intervention andconsequently the better outcome. Theaims of intervention in early childhood are: identifying children with mental health problems, helping each child to fulfill their potential, prevention, increasing child’s function skills, promotion of a good affinity, inclusive education support, ensuring children’s rights, family  support, reducing expenses of health care. During early childhood, by the age of three, children and their families are directed mainly to primary health care system. They visit pediatrician around 15 times. Primary care has the opportunity to be the first point of contact when parents have concerns about their child's development or behavior. Even later in childhood and teenage period pediatricians are still among the first parents and young people seek for help and guidance. Pediatricians have a large responsibility to react on time carrying out adequate type of prevention (primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary, universal, selective, targeted). Their role is crucial when it comes to coordinating the support, child care, treatment and family support.