Using epidemiology to plan, organize, and evaluate services for children and adolescents with mental health problems

Abstract

This chapter considers how best to plan and structure targeted and specialist services for children and adolescents with existing mental health problems. In particular, we discuss how service developers, providers and commissioners might draw on epidemiological findings and local information to aid the organization, monitoring and funding for such services. We examine both the challenges of using such data in a meaningful way along with the opportunities for use of this information to aid service provision. Our focus throughout is on practical advice for those of us involved in the "swampy lowlands" (Schön, 1987) of real world practice in relation to service development for young people with problems that range from common behavioral and emotional difficulties to severe and enduring mental illness. We examine these issues in relation to a wide range of service settings across low, middle and high income countries, including specialist and targeted pediatric and psychiatric services in schools, clinics and social care settings regardless of the source of funding. © 2015 by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved.