Category: News

Interesting Upcoming Events from Healthcare Conferences UK

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn Events, NewsLeave a comment

A 10% discount can be requested by quoting ‘HCUK10pmha‘ when booking.

Masterclass: Children’s Safeguarding – Learning from inquiries, serious case reviews and inspections

TUESDAY, 26th JANUARY, 2021 (ONLINE)

This masterclass, facilitated by Carla Thomas and Stephen Pizzey, Child and Family Training, gives an opportunity for delegates to review the findings from inquiries, serious case reviews, safeguarding practices reviews and inspections regarding multi-agency safeguarding practice and consider the implications for their agencies policies and practice. Key learning objectives include considering the history of reviews in relation to child’s death and serious harm, and how some of these led to key changes in legislation and guidance. Review thresholds and processes for serious case and child safeguarding practices reviews.        

For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/children-safeguarding-findings   
or email kerry@hc-uk.org.uk
Masterclass: Therapeutic work with children and young people suffering child sexual abuse and exploitation

WEDNESDAY, 27th JANUARY, 2021 (ONLINE)

This Masterclass programme, facilitated by Dr Arnon Bentovim and Carol Jolliffe, will help practitioners working in social care, health, education and youth justice to deliver effective therapeutic work with children subject to sexual abuse and exploitation. Practitioners in social care, health, education and youth justice who need to develop their skills in working with children and young people who have been sexually abused and exploited should attend. The programme will present an innovative approach, the development of a Common Practice Elements approach which capitalises on the knowledge embedded in evidence-based treatments identifying evidenced-based therapeutic procedures and integrates them into a Library of Modules.

For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/therapy-child-abuse 
or email kerry@hc-uk.org.uk
Masterclass: Childhood Neglect: Approaches to understanding, assessment and interventions

WEDNESDAY, 10th FEBRUARY, 2021 (ONLINE)

This masterclass, facilitated by Carla Thomas and Carol Jolliffe, Child and Family Training, will consider the complexity of understanding, managing and modifying the impact of childhood neglect. It will support practitioners and managers in considering interventions to modify neglectful parenting and to increase children’s resilience. All practitioners, and managers, working with children and families in Health, Education, Social Care, in the Public and Voluntary sector should attend.

For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/childhood-neglect
or email kerry@hc-uk.org.uk
Masterclass: Therapeutic Interventions to Reduce the Harmful Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences

FRIDAY, 12th FEBRUARY, 2021 (ONLINE)

This CPD certified programme will outline the increasing evidence of the impact of Adverse Experiences of Childhood (ACEs) on the health and well-being of children and young people extending into adult life. There is a growing demand for interventions to prevent their harmful effects. Research will be reviewed about the impact of ACEs through population studies, intergenerational studies, and specific groups – self harming, mental health, and substance abuse, offending, and violent behaviour.  Facilitated by Arnon Bentovim, who trained at the Maudsley Hospital/Institute of psychiatry as a Psychoanalyst, and subsequently became involved in the growing interest in the systemic/family therapy field. He helped to establish the Association and Institute of Family Therapy, and researched measures of family functioning, and clinical approaches with colleagues at the Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital.

For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/therapeutic-interventions-adverse-childhood-experiences  
or email kerry@hc-uk.org.uk

Paediatricians warn parents to be alert to signs of eating disorders

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn Education, Ideas, News, Resources, TrainingLeave a comment

Paediatricians have seen a huge rise in cases of anorexia nervosa and other food restriction disorders in this age group, with some reporting a doubling, tripling or even quadrupling of cases compared with the same period last year.

For more information, please go to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) website by clicking here.

Help and support

BEAT eating disorders charity has a lot of useful information on their website and their helpline is open over the festive period.

Good Riddance But Now What?

On By nolczakIn NewsLeave a comment
Come, children, gather round my knee;
Something is about to be.

Tonight’s December thirty-first,
Something is about to burst.

The clock is crouching, dark and small,
Like a time bomb in the hall.

Hark! It’s midnight, children dear.
Duck! here comes another year.
Ogden Nash
As 2020 draws to a close, the PMHA would like to thank you for your support and to wish you a happy new year.

Hopefully 2021 will be much better and brighter for everyone and we can continue working together to make sure children everywhere lead healthy and happy lives.

Don’t forget about the PMHA’s Annual Meeting (January 28th and 29th)

RCPSYCH Online Study day: Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility

On By nolczakIn Events, News, TrainingLeave a comment

On 7th December 2020, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is holding a highly topical online study day, titled Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR): Time for Change?

You can get a programme for the day here and can book a place here.

Below is some context provided by RCPSYCH:

“The UK has one of the lowest minimum ages of criminal responsibility (MACR) in the world, with the age being set at 10 years old in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 12 in Scotland (having increased from 8 in 2019).  These low ages are inconsistent with current neuroscientific knowledge regarding brain maturation and has led to the UK being singled out for criticism by the United Nations, which issued a General Comment in 2019 stating that the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be at least 14 years old. 

The topic received further media coverage last week (see links below), following the release of the Justice Committee report on Young People and Youth Justice which called on the Government to review the current minimum age or provide justification for not doing this by February 2021. 

The purpose of this conference is to explore the issues behind criminal responsibility including current evidence regarding brain maturation, international approaches to setting minimum ages and alternative non-criminal disposal options for those who commit risky offences below the minimum age of criminal responsibility. It is hoped that participants will come from a wide range of backgrounds so that a full range of views can be heard during the discussions.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/12/age-criminal-responsibility-england-wales-should-reviewed-says/

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/nov/12/review-age-criminal-responsibility-england-and-wales

24th World Congress of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions’ (IACAPAP)

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn Events, News, Resources, TrainingLeave a comment
The virtual edition of the 24th World Congress of IACAPAP will be held from 2 – 4 December 2020. Themed “Starting from the Beginning – Laying the Foundation for Lifelong Mental Health”, this 3-day virtual congress will cover issues that are close to our hearts, as well as emerging trends and topics of interests to the adolescent and child psychiatry community.

Reasons to attend:

  • Join the programme designed to cater to delegates from different time zones, and engage live with speakers and presenters
  • Get access to session recordings on demand, even after the congress
  • Experience comprehensive programme featuring cutting-edge research and trends in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Gain international networking opportunities with potential collaborative partners, sponsors and exhibitors
  • Garner invaluable insights and experiences from renowned industry and academic experts

Visit www.iacapap2020.org for more information.

Read read more about IACAPAP 2020 in the email newsletter.

COVID-19: Child & Adolescent Mental Healthcare – Disruption or Evolution?

A related webinar on ‘COVID-19: Child & Adolescent Mental Healthcare – Disruption or Evolution?‘ was held in July 2020. You can watch a recording of this webinar here.

RCPCH statement on Child Mental Health

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn News, ReportsLeave a comment

1st September 2020

Mental health issues are increasingly common among children and young people—suicide is now the leading cause of death for both males and females aged five to 19 years old, and one in eight people among this age group is currently living with a mental health condition. 

Children and young people in vulnerable groups are even more at risk, including LGBTQ+ people, low income households, children in care, and those with parental mental health issues, special educational needs, on child protection plans, or in the criminal justice system. 

Underinvestment in mental health is a longstanding concern. This has been amplified by the pandemic due to the extra stress caused by prolonged school closures, social isolation, adverse social and environmental circumstances, and a lack of access to usual support services. 

RCPCH’s Assistant Officer for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Dr Karen Street, says: “Our key message is that our patients’ mental health is our business. There is a joint responsibility to provide necessary services across the children’s workforce. 

“In the wake of COVID-19, many children and young people will have greater mental health support needs. As services begin to recover, the time is ripe to connect across the entire child health workforce and local, regional, and national boundaries. Together, we can work to develop improved and integrated mental health services.” 

In its statement, the College includes a number of recommendations, including: 

  • All paediatric teams should have a nominated lead for mental health. 
  • Paediatric training must include promotion of wellbeing in children and young people and management of common mental health issues. 
  • Paediatricians with higher exposure to issues need more extensive training and support. 
  • Paediatricians should not be expected to work in isolation when managing severe cases of mental illness. 
  • Use of mental health screening tools in higher risk people should be considered. 

The College will also continue to support mental health through its activities, including: 

  • Having an Assistant Officer for Mental Health on its Health Improvement Committee. 
  • Working with NHSE and HEE to implement of the NHSE Long Term Plan. 
  • Developing training through its Child Mental Health Specialty Advisory Committee. 
  • Developing the Progress curriculum for all paediatric trainees to include mental health. 
  • Partnering with MindEd to produce a paediatric ‘learning path’. 

Read the College’s full position statement on the role of paediatricians in mental health here. 

The RCPCH’s Spring Meeting 2020 has become an Online Conference

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn Education, Events, News, Posters, TrainingLeave a comment

The RCPCH’s Spring meeting, scheduled for April 2020, was regretfully cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now the the meeting will go ahead online, with different sessions running between the 25 September and 13 November 2020.

PMHA Joint Workshop: ‘Difference and Self’

The PMHA had planned a joint workshop with the British Association for Paediatricians in Audiology, themed ‘Difference and self’.

This workshop will now be delivered in webinar form. Chaired by Dr Winfred Baddo and Dr Sheila Peters, this free, live online event will feature guest lectures and abstract presentations, with opportunities for delegates to ask questions. 

Date: Tuesday 13th October
Time: 2 – 5 pm

To register, click on the link below:

https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/events/conference-webinar-difference-self-mental-health-audiology

The posters which had been accepted for the workshop, are now available to view online. Visit this link:

 https://eposters.rcpch.ac.uk/ 

(You’ll need to register but RCPCH membership is not needed for this).
You’ll find the posters in the ‘mental health’ section.  Please view the posters, register for the webinar, and spread the word!

Dr Sheila Peters: Immediate Past Convenor of PMHA

RCPCH: State of Child Health 2020

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn News, Reports, ResearchLeave a comment

In March, the RCPCH published its ‘State of Child Health 2020’ report. This landmark report provides a snapshot of infant, children and young people’s physical and mental health. 

The RCPCH say: “On 4 March 2020, RCPCH launched our new State of Child Health. The update provides the latest data from our 2017 indicators, alongside evidence for new indicators, including: looked after children, mental health, youth violence, young carers and the child health workforce. Alongside this, we’ve spoken to 2,000 children and young people to find out what makes them feel “healthy, happy and well”.

We’ve outlined our key asks for each of the UK Governments, which we hope will ensure delivery of key policy decisions to improve child health outcomes.

The State of Child Health 2020 Report utilises comparable UK data across 27 child health and wellbeing indicators to produce a range of associated recommendations aimed at improving outcomes. It builds on the 2017 Report which provided an unprecedented snapshot of how infant, children and young people’s physical and mental health was faring across the UK.  

Click below to read the report:

http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/state-of-child-health

The Importance of Human Contact Today

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn Events, Ideas, News, ResearchLeave a comment

During the interval of a recent concert by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Dr Dickon Bevington, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, gave a thought provoking, and topical talk:

The Importance of Human Contact today, about Mentalization, Attachment and Kindness.

About Dr Dickon Bevington:

Dr Bevington is the Medical Director at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS FT where he leads CASUS, an outreach service for complex substance using youth. He is also a Fellow of the Cambridge and Peterborough CLARHC, a collaboration based in Cambridge University dedicated to developing leadership and research in health and social care.

Dr Bevington’s consultant career started in adolescent in-patient psychiatry, but he now concentrates on developing and delivering innovative home-based or street-level out-reach interventions for complex, co-morbidly burdened young people who are socially excluded, using mentalization to underpin both the therapeutic and the organisational approach to this work. In this respect, together with Dr Peter Fuggle, he is the co-lead for the Adolescent Mentalization-Based Integrative Treatment (AMBIT) project.

Dr Bevington trains and lectures internationally on MBT and AMBIT, and has published a number of papers and chapters in the eld of mentalization and multimodal outreach approaches, most recently with Dr Fuggle. He is also co-author of “ What works for whom: a critical review of treatments for children and adolescents” which is a review of all treatment trials in the past 10-15 years across the world.

Take a look at the Anna Freud Centre website for more information about this field of Child Mental Health.

For a great resource for on-line learning, click on link below: https://www.annafreud.org/mental-health-professionals/anna-freud-learning-network/

Staying Sane in the Times of Covid-19

On By Paediatric Mental Health AssociationIn Ideas, News, RequestsLeave a comment

An article by Dr Emma Blake, Consultant Paediatrician, now Chair / Convenor of PMHA

Well, in these crazy times – with universal maelstroms – all of us are trying to cope with our personal whirlpools. Being a front line medic, whilst coping as a “full time” parent and teacher; trying to keep yourself, your kids and everyone else around you sane – it’s not manageable, is it?

I wish I had all the answers. Medice, cura te ipsum. Heal thyself. But no-one knows the cure for Covid-19, no immunisation – even against the anxiety and psychological impact of it. As a paediatrician, mother of four, with “shielded” vulnerable relatives; suddenly homeschooling three children and trying to get a “gap-year” son trapped in Vietnam back to the family;  I, like the rest of us, am trying to juggle all the balls whilst wearing minimal / flimsy PPE.

At the PMHA (Paediatric Mental Health Association) we are trying to find resources to support parents who are doing the best they can to care for their children’s health, education and emotional needs at home. A popular PMHA Facebook post (which has currently reached over 9.6 million people!) suggests taking the pressure off ourselves with regard to home-schooling or children; to try to take the stress out of the situation as much as possible.

Enjoy the time together – “cuddle up and read, read, read” etc. The best way to de-stress kids is to de-stress ourselves (often easier said than done). Obviously older kids (GCSEs and A Levels) need more structured work (thank you teachers!), but the principle is the same – our kids will remember what this felt like at home. They will remember the emotions and relationships.

We are seeing an increase in mental health presentations to paediatric wards – when we are doing our best to keep people safe at home. However, not all young people are safe at home. Abuse is escalating, domestic violence and parental mental health / substance abuse difficulties are worsening. As paediatricians, we need to be more aware of mental health and safeguarding issues, more than ever. The most vulnerable children are more hidden from view – and we are waiting for a tsunami (not only from Covid-19 ventilated elderly – but also young people who have had to cope with the “perfect storm”at home).

In addition to our Facebook page; the PMHA, along with Serena Haywood (St Georges) and Simon Chapman (Kings) have also developed a website – Indoor Explorers – to try to bring together resources to support parents at this difficult time.

If you have any useful resources for parents or professionals at this time – please share them with us at ContactPMHA@gmail.com

Dr Emma Blake,
Child Mental Health & General Paediatric Consultant,
Designated Doctor for Safeguarding Children, Isle of Wight,
Vice Chair PMHA and Chair of Child Mental Health (CSAC) at the RCPCH