Mental Health Services for Children with Chronic Illness

Abstract

(from the chapter) The diagnosis of a chronic illness (CI) in a child can be a devastating blow to both a child and his or her family. The current chapter reviews the organization and delivery of mental health services for children and adolescents with a CI and their families. The chapter begins with the diagnostic process, then discusses the first 3-5 years following diagnosis, and finally the long-term issues associated with pediatric CI. Each of these three sections will begin by focusing on the mental health issues and services for the pediatric patient and move into discussion of issues and services available for parents. As there is little information available about siblings during the diagnostic process or regarding immediate adjustment, all sibling information will be discussed in the long-term issues section. The chapter ends with a discussion specific to hospitalization issues as many children with a chronic health condition are hospitalized repeatedly during the illness process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).