The Young Mind – review

 

Co-edited by Professor Sue Bailey and Dr Mike Schooter

Published by Transworld in collaboration with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK, 2009. ISBN: 9780593061381
(cover title: The Young mind: an essential guide to mental health for young adults, parents and teachers).

This helpful resource is worth dipping into and can be read either by chapter/s of relevance or as a whole to inform parents, teachers and young adults. The young mind is designed as a handbook to bring together information by leading British experts. Today, with so much information at hand including conflicting information, it is great to have so many specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry write about their particular area of expertise. In the introduction, the editors describe how the book helps to distinguish between layers of concern and what lies at the centre of a problem. Stages of child and adolescent development are linked with the information.

The book has six parts covering topics such as child and adolescent development; parenting and parenting skills in adolescence; school; emotional health and wellbeing. Serious problems young people experience today are explored such as abuse, neglect and domestic violence, worries and anxieties, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders, drugs, alcohol, eating problems, sleep, fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, self-harm and psychosexual development. Final chapters look at treatments and therapies for children and adolescents in mental health as well as transition to adulthood.

Throughout the book find vignettes, these little stories provide insight and help illustrate themes in various chapters. The young mind is written in a British context and some chapters tie in with British services. The book provides a comprehensive overview with clear text and links to resources in each chapter including some Australian and New Zealand resources.

Other resources surrounding mental health issues can be found in the AWCH collection and are available for loan, they include DVDs such as Family focus: talking together about parental depression and anxietyWhat is… Tourette syndrome? and Play Now/Act Now: Young people and alcohol. Books are available on topics such as ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, grief and bereavement, Children of parents with a mental illness (COPMI) as well as coping with chronic illness. Links to Australian and international online resources can also be found on the AWCH Library catalogue. To find out about borrowing The Young mind or other resources contact the AWCH office or AWCH library. Your feedback is most welcome.

 


Reviewed by Jillian Rattray
AWCH librarian
October, 2014

http://library.awch.com.au

Therapeutic activities for children and teens coping with health issues

Therapeutic activities for children and teens coping with health issues
By Robyn Hart and Judy Rollins.
John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey, 2011, 379 p. ISBN 9780470555002.
Bibliography, pp  339-364. Includes CD-ROM.

“Therapeutic activities for children and teens coping with health issues” is a book richly filled with activities to assist health professionals, child life therapists, counsellors and social workers in their work with families. Activities and related information promote adaptation and coping for children, adolescents and their families in hospital or living with health issues. It is great to see so many ideas presented in an easily readable format, with over 200 practical activities to choose from.

Chapters focus on promoting understanding and coping for adolescents and children through different aspects of their healthcare experiences. Topics of the 16 chapters include separation and anxiety, self expression, socialization and help with many aspects of coping with illness. Set out in a clear way, each topic covers an overview, special considerations and coping interventions. The theoretical framework behind each topic is outlined. Activities are set out using an easy-to-read table which includes: therapeutic goals, age group, adult/child ratio, required time, restrictions and precautions and materials. You will also find an extensive bibliography (pp  339-364) as well as black and white illustrations and photographs. The accompanying CD has activity sheets and templates that can be customised.

With a great mix of theory and hands on, this book is sure to be a helpful reference tool and provide both information and inspiration. In fact I think I’ll gather up my supplies and try my hand at making a volcano.

About the authors
Robyn Hart, director of Child Life at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Judy Rollins, coordinator of the Studio G Artist in Residence Program at Georgetown University Hospital and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. This is the second  book they have worked together on, the previous award winning book is entitled, Therapeutic play activities for hospitalized children.

Keywords: Activities; Adaptation, psychology; Adolescent psychology; Bereavement; Body image; Child life; Child, hospitalised; Child psychology; Culture; Death; Families; Group work; Hospitalization; Medical art; Medical equipment; Mental health; Pain; Patients; Play therapy; Self-esteem; Self-expression; Therapeutic activities; Therapy

Awards
Winner of the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year 2011
(Category: Maternal And Child Health)

Other titles also by Judy Rollins available for loan from the AWCH collection:
Meeting children’s psychosocial needs: across the health-care continuum / Judy A. Rollins, Rosemary Bolig and Carmel C. Mahan. Austin, Texas: Pro-ed, 2005. xv, 551 p.: Includes bibliographical references and index. Call number: 618.92 ROL 1
Core curriculum for the nursing care of children and their families / Marion E. Broome, Judy A. Rollins, Editors. Pitman, New Jersey: Jannetti Publications Inc., 1999. Call number: 610.7362 BRO 2

Review By:
Jillian Rattray
AWCH Librarian
March, 2013