Mental health affects a large number of children and young people
worldwide. The role of child and youth mental health services is to provide timely
assessment and interventions to improve the well-being and standard of life of children
and youth with mental health conditions, foster child development, and ultimately save
lives. This chapter explores the role of occupational therapists when providing services
to children, families, and carers. The chapter summarises common models of practice
used by occupational therapists and provides a synopsis of common conditions seen in
child and youth mental health settings. The chapter then introduces common recovery-oriented interventions used when working with children and young people
experiencing mental health problems and their carers and families.
Keywords: Occupational therapy, Models, Sensory, Multidisciplinary, Child and youth mental health, Multidisciplinary team, Mental health disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Sensory integration, Sensory modulation, Parents and family interventions.
