University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
Department of Paediatrics, UCD School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland.
BMJ Paediatr Open. 2022 Mar;6(1). doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001285.
The enforced isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in mental health issues and severity of presentations to emergency departments in Ireland. Long waiting lists for both Psychology and Psychiatry are further impacting on children's mental well-being. We proposed the creation of a 'Happiness Toolkit' that can be given to children on presentation to their primary or secondary care provider with a mental health issue. The toolkit is comprised of six evidence-based techniques that are proven to boost self-esteem, develop resilience and promote positive mental health. A leaflet detailing the practices along with a physical 'box' that the children must make were created. This resource may therefore provide immediate support to those children that may endure long waiting periods, sometimes greater than a year and a half, for referral to tertiary services. Our toolkit allows children and their families to engage in positive mental health practices that may prevent regression during this waiting period and lead to improved mental health or cessation of symptoms.
由于 COVID-19 大流行而实施的强制隔离措施，导致爱尔兰的心理健康问题和急诊部门的就诊严重程度有所增加。同时，心理和精神病学的预约等待时间也在延长，这进一步影响了儿童的心理健康。我们提出创建一个“快乐工具包”，可以在儿童向初级或二级保健提供者提出心理健康问题时提供给他们。该工具包由六项经过验证的技术组成，这些技术被证明可以提高自尊心、培养适应力并促进积极的心理健康。我们还创建了一份详细介绍这些实践的小册子，以及一个孩子们必须制作的实体“盒子”。因此，对于那些可能需要等待长达一年半以上才能转介到三级服务的儿童来说，该资源可以为他们提供即时支持。我们的工具包可以让儿童及其家人参与积极的心理健康实践，这可能有助于防止他们在等待期间病情恶化，并改善他们的心理健康状况或消除症状。
