The purpose of this module is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of common mental health problems associated with children and adolescents. The module will consider the most up to date evidence based assessments and treatment modalities in tandem with current health care policies to ensure quality, holistic, culturally sensitive and safe nursing care for children and adolescents with mental health problems and their families across primary, secondary and tertiary health care settings.

Child development theories; risk and aetiological factors in the development of child/adolescent mental health problems (distress, emotional, behavioural and relationship factors). Caring for the child and adolescent with specific mental health difficulties (emotional disorders, disruptive behaviour disorders and developmental disorders). Assessment, planning, interventions and evaluation in child and adolescent mental health. Risk assessment, safety planning and promoting recovery. Effective communication and therapeutic engagement with children/adolescents and their families. Service provision in child and adolescent mental health. Therapeutic interventions with children, adolescents and families and trauma aware care/approaches. Pharmacological interventions and monitoring the effects of medication. Legislation and national guidelines for child and adolescent health care in Ireland. Ethical and cultural issues when working with children and adolescence.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to: Critique the theoretical views and aetiological factors which may lead to the development of mental health problems in children and adolescence. Demonstrate knowledge of child and adolescent mental health nursing with a recovery focus. Analyse current health care and related policies pertaining to child and adolescent mental health. Discuss the factors related to the development of positive mental health in children and adolescents.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the qualities essential to working effectively with children and adolescents and their families. Discuss the nursing process when caring for children and adolescents with mental health problems and their families.

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Experience The teaching style will be interactive and problem-focussed. Students will participate in the learning environment through engagement in teaching learning and assessment strategies for example, lectures, discussions, group work, self-directed learning, recommended reading, reflection, enquiry/problem-based learning and case scenarios, peer presentations, the use of the virtual learning environment, small group teaching and tutorial sessions. The most significant graduate attributes developed through participation in this module include; 'proactive', 'knowledgeable' and 'creative'. Students will develop expertise in in the management of mental health problems in children and adolescents. The opportunity to bring this knowledge to bear on real world problems and situations will be facilitated. Students will also have opportunities to consider and adopt a proactive lifestyle approach to good mental health within these population groups. Students will be encouraged to access relevant evidence based literature to inform nursing management of children and adolescents with mental health problems and incorporate relevant national and international research findings and health policy into care/management approaches.