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CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH BPS214

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification To obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested.

Study Mental Health Issues in Children.

  • Learn about mental health problems in children. Of particular concern is the growing prevalence of mental health issues in children and adolescents.
  • This course is an excellent introduction to mental health issues other than those classed as pervasive developmental disorders, behavioural disorders or learning disorders.
  • Learn about a range of mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, tic disorders, brain disorders, eating disorders and more.
  • A useful course for counsellors, psychologists and other professionals working in related fields such as teachers, social workers, youth workers and people in childcare.

     

It's easy to enrol...

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Please note, choosing offline (USB stick) will attract a 5% surcharge on top of the course fee

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Study Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 

Expand your knowledge of childhood mental health problems. Join many other students who have already taken this course on their pathway towards developing a deeper understanding of disorders which can affect children and youths. This is an ideal course for people in the caring professions and students hoping to work with children.   

  • Learn more about mental health in children, depression, anxiety disorders, tic disorders, brain disorders and more.
  • A useful course for anyone interested in supporting children through their mental health issues.
  • Learn to recognise mental health conditions in children and adolescents. 

This course focuses on depression, anxiety, problems associated with brain disease or injury, environmental factors, abuse and neglect along with some other disorders. It does not cover those which are known as pervasive developmental disorders (e.g. autism spectrum disorder), learning disorders (e.g. mathematics disorder) or behavioural disorders (e.g. conduct disorders and ADHD). For these, please refer to our course entitled 'Developmental, Learning & Behavioural Disorders in Children & Adolescents'. Together both of these courses provide a full picture of childhood mental health disorders.  

Mental health problems are treatable if the child receives early support. Understanding how to recognise mental health issues in children and adolescents is the first step towards helping them. This course in child and adolescent mental health will help you to learn more about the impact of mental health conditions on children and possible treatment options.

This course is primarily aimed at professionals and students of health and social sciences. It is provided through distance learning. You can start at any time. The course requires approximately 100 hours of study.   

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

There are 10 lessons in this course:

  • Nature and Scope of Mental Health  - This lesson looks at the difference between adult and child mental health, what we mean by mental health and mental well-being. It also considers normal childhood development, child mental illness, the prevalence of mental health issues in children and adolescents, the mental health industry. looking at difference between adult and child and adolescent mental health. What we mean by mental health? Mental wellness etc.
  • Childhood Depression - This lesson looks at the different types of depression in children, how it is diagnosed, the causes of childhood depression, assessing the risk of suicide.
  • Anxiety Disorders - Covering topics such as separation disorders, generalised anxiety, school phobias, social phobias, the signs, symptoms and treatment of anxiety disorders, anxiety disorders in adolescence.
  • Tic Disorders - The topics covered in this lesson include an introduction to tic disorders, different types of tics, Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome (Tourette's Syndrome), Transient Tic Disorder, Chronic Tic Disorder and Tic Disorder (NOS).
  • Brain Disorders (Injury & Disease) - This lesson introduces brain disorders and considers the differences between adults and children with this sort of condition, traumatic brain injury, congenital malformations, genetic disorders, tumours, infectious diseases, cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy and the impact of environmental toxins on brain disorders.
  • Other Disorders - Covering topics such as  Motor Disorders, Elimination Disorders - Encopresis, Enuresis, Feeding & Eating Disorders; Reactive Attachment Disorder, Selective Mutism and Stereotypic Movement Disorder.
  • The Impact of Environmental Problems on Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Covering Abuse and Neglect, the Effects of Abuse,  relationship problems,  Factitious Disorders by Proxy, Attachment Disorders and Lifestyle.
  • Problems of Adolescence - Including Anorexia, Bulimia, Substance Use, Family Conflict.
  • Holistic and Alternative Approaches to Treatment - Such as Drug Treatments, food and mental health, Alternative Therapies such as homeopathy, art therapy, music therapy, counselling/psychotherapy, craniosacral/biodynamic osteopathy, kinesiology, aromatherapy, sensory integration, behavioural optometry, hearing and mental health, movement therapies.
  • Special Project - You choose something of interest to you in relation to child and adolescent mental health and carry out a project on this, guided by your tutor.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What are the Symptoms to Be Aware of?

The presence of an isolated symptom is not usually considered evidence of a mental health disorder because many healthy people can experience s single symptom occasionally. For example, it is possible to have a hallucination if you are stressed or have not slept well. Sometimes symptoms can be associated with taking medication or they may appear in response to a physical illness. One exception is where a person has a persistent single obsessive thought which may indicate a paranoid disorder. 

Symptoms of mental health disorders are classified in different ways. Some of the more usual distinctions include form and content, and primary and secondary symptoms.  

Form
This refers to the form a symptom takes. Some examples are auditory hallucination, visual hallucination, delusion of persecution and delusion of grandeur.  

Content
This is what is involved in the symptom. For example, a delusion of persecution could involve an individual holding the faulty belief that they are being cheated or conspired against. Someone hearing voices telling them that they are being cheated or persecuted in some way would have the same content but the form of the symptom would be different i.e. an auditory hallucination.    

Primary
Usually this refers to which symptoms appear first i.e. it is used in a temporal way. Sometimes it is used to refer to symptoms which appeared directly because of the psychopathology. 

Secondary
This usually refers to symptoms which arise after primary symptoms but again can occasionally refer to those which appear in response to another. For example, an individual might begin with delusional thoughts of persecution and then go on to develop auditory hallucinations telling them that persecutors are after them.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health course looks at many different areas, including suicide.

THE ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING WITH ACS

  • Quality courses - written and taught by experienced professionals.
  • Quality support - contact us at any time, with full tutor support while you study.
  • Flexibility - start your course at any time, and study at your own pace.
  • Choice - choose from online or eLearning options - study when and where you want to.

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE

By studying this course you will:

  • Develop your knowledge of child and adolescent mental health issues.
  • Be better placed to help children through difficult periods in their lives.
  • Be able to provide more effective support to children.
  • Enhance your employment prospects and career choices for working with children and adolescents. 

The course is likely to be of value to:

  • Counsellors
  • Social workers
  • Caring professionals
  • Nurses
  • Teachers
  • Youth workers
  • Support workers

Why delay? Enrol today.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE

We understand how important it is to choose the right course - if you have any questions, talk to us.  Our Psychology and Counselling tutors are more than happy to answer any questions about this Child and Adolescent Mental Health course and any other courses we offer. If you have any questions, please get in touch using our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Tracey Jones (psychology)B.Sc. (Hons) (Psychology), M.Soc.Sc (social work), DipSW (social work), PGCE (Education), PGD (Learning Disability Studies) Tracey began studying psychology in 1990. She has a wide range of experience within the psychology and social work field, particularly working with people with learning disabilities. She is also qualified as a teacher and now teaches psychology and social work related subjects. She has been a book reviewer for the British Journal of Social Work and has also written many textbooks, blogs, articles and ebooks on psychology, writing, sociology, child development and more. She has had also several short stories published.


Check out our eBooks

The Brain and BehaviourThe Brain and Behaviour ebook provides a fascinating insight into the functions of the human brain. From understanding the human brain, human anatomy & behaviour, chemistry, brain damage and memory, this ebook is an interesting read and also a great reference for students of biology, biopsychology or psychology.
Family & Relationships CounsellingThe Family and Relationships Counselling ebook is an informative and helpful read for anyone who wants to improve their relationships or even help other people improve or nurture their own relationships.
The Psychology of HealthThe Psychology and Health ebook is a delightfully interesting read that helps you understand the link between physical and psychological health. This ebook is ideal for anyone who has a personal interest in the area, as well as psychology and health students.
Counselling HandbookA book for both students, as well as volunteers who may be involved in helping people with problems. This is a starting point for understanding counselling, and a reference for developing counselling skills. The book contains seven chapters: 1. Where can counselling be used 2. How to see behind the mask 3. Emotions and attitudes 4. How to communicate better when all you have is words 5. Theory versus practice 6. Diffusing difficult situations 7. Golden rules or tips