EARLY RECOGNITION OF ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND REFERRAL PATHWAYS IN ROUTINE CARE
Arzibekov Abdikadir
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Head of the Department of pediatrics of the Faculty of Medicine, ASMI
Keywords: adolescent mental health; early recognition; primary care; screening; depression; anxiety; suicide risk.
Abstract
This article outlines an evidence-based approach for routine pediatric and primary care settings: (1) normalize confidential conversations and use validated screeners, (2) confirm positives with focused clinical assessment and functional impairment review, (3) stratify risk—especially suicide/self-harm risk—and implement same-day safety steps when needed, and (4) establish stepped referral pathways for counseling, specialty mental health, and urgent services.
References
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