Community care systems, or networks of service providers that support a child’s needs holistically, come about in various ways. These teams require the direction of mental health practitioners to navigate the needs of children and adolescents.
Community systems of care and how they support youth
Community systems of care refer to the networks of integrated services created to provide patients with comprehensive care. A Psychiatric Services journal article states, “...children undergo more rapid physiological, neuronal, and psychological changes over a briefer period than adults.”
An integrated behavior approach, when applied to the psychiatric care of children and adolescents, recognizes that needs extend beyond what a single service provider can offer. Multiple systems work together to address complex challenges in a way that offers continuous support to guardians and the child. For instance, a child with an anxiety disorder could benefit from therapy but their family dynamics and access to social activities remain relevant to treatment.
The role of mental health practitioners in community systems of care
Mental health practitioners like psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, and case managers act as the core of a community care system for children. The professionals allow for the handling of complex mental health challenges faced by a demographic requiring a more tailored approach to intervention.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medication to manage psychiatric disorders through assessment and treatment. Psychologists conduct assessments and therapy that are not related to medication but focus on understanding behavioral patterns.
School counselors often make up the extension of mental health support to a schooling environment. Their work is to provide a hands-on approach to support the student's ability to succeed academically and socially.
Using HIPAA compliant email to handle behavioral care in community systems
Mental health practitioners are often the central point for the communication of diagnoses and treatment of patients. For their minor patients, this includes communicating with guardians or parents, other mental health professionals, social services, and school counselors.
With sensitive information being transmitted so often, practitioners require a method of communication that can easily be audited and remain convenient for the recipients. HIPAA compliant email platforms like Paubox provide a way to share protected health information (PHI) securely, a necessary part of coordinating community systems.
FAQs
What is the role of social workers in psychiatric care?
Social workers serve multiple roles in a more comprehensive approach to patient care. It can include counseling, connecting patients to resources, and supporting crisis intervention.
Can parents and guardians access all of their minor patient's psychiatric information?
Access to any minor's PHI generally depends on state laws and the patient's age. In some states, for instance, a child of a certain age has the right to object to their parent or guardians accessing their records.
What is a family-based approach to patient mental health?
Treating the patient's mental health in relation to their family dynamics.
Liyanda Tembani
