Psychosocial Treatment: Pediatric Mental Health Minute Series

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-New Hampshire defines psychosocial as “an individual’s psychological development in and interaction with their social environment.” Psychosocial treatment is a broad term that has been used to refer to therapy services, case management, psychoeducation, skill acquisition, and prevention services. Services may be delivered to an individual, family, or group.

Scope in Pediatrics

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 5 children have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. However, only about 20% receive care from a specialized mental health care provider 
• There is racial inequity in services with Black and Hispanic children receiving significantly fewer services (50%) than White children, despite similarity in mental health concerns.   
• The majority of mental health problems are part of co-occurring disorders; behavior problems, depression, and anxiety are the most common challenges. 
• Nearly 50% of families do not discuss psychosocial issues with their pediatricians. 

Teaching Points

• Because of the high rates of concerns, address psychosocial issues with families at each visit to assure a comprehensive check-up. 
• Use screening tools as well as clinical discussion to determine need for psychosocial treatment referral. As trauma is common in children, include a screen for trauma/trauma symptoms. 
• If problems are interfering with daily functioning, consider making a referral for psychosocial treatment before considering medication.  
• Learn about common reactions in children and adolescents to stress as these often resemble mental health disorders. 
• Identify providers in your area who can provide evidence-based psychosocial treatments to families and develop a working relationship to allow for smooth referral process.  
• Discuss how COVID-19 is impacting children and families, particularly behaviors; offer resources and recommendations for overall coping.