Self-care of young people with long-term physical and mental health conditions

Abstract

Increasing numbers of children and young people experience long-term physical and mental ill health and how well they and their families manage their health and wellbeing is likely to influence their health in adulthood and their future life chances. This paper examines the evidence about 'what works' in supporting self-care in relation to children/young people with physical and mental health conditions. This is based on two systematic reviews and on research evaluating different selfsupport programmes that have been developed in the United Kingdom. We identify four key components of an effective and acceptable self-care programme that nurses can include when developing and providing such programmes for children and young people with long-term physical and mental health conditions. We also highlight the increasingly important role that children's and mental health nurses will play in supporting young people's self-care as a result of transformations in health care and nursing education.

Agreement between children with long-term health conditions and their primary caregivers on reports of perceived participation

“…Additionally, the complexity and severity of long-term health conditions, such as leukemia and congenital heart disease, continue increasing, especially in children who bear the greatest burden of these chronic diseases. Furthermore, the majority of these children are likely to have a lifetime of managing their long-term conditions, which may affect their health outcomes in adulthood as well as their future opportunities and quality of life ( 11 ).…”

Percepção de profissionais da Educação sobre um curso online de acolhimento em saúde mental

“…Como parte dos cuidados de si, que podem ser ensinados aos estudantes e aos profissionais da escola, incluem-se: perceber em si mesmo sinais de ansiedade e depressão, buscar auxílio com rede de suporte social, procurar informações, consultar assistência psicológica e outros serviços profissionais (Kirk & Pryjmachuk, 2016). É necessário estar atento a indicações de necessidade de auxílio imediato do outro.…”