'Shhh! Please don't tell…’ Confidentiality in child and adolescent mental health

Ethical Considerations in Substance Use Treatment for Youth: Assessing Clinical Practices and Policy Frameworks for Potential Harm

The current conceptual review highlights considerations surrounding the potential for non-beneficence and undue coercion within the practices of psychologists and other clinicians providing substance use treatment for youth. The potential for nonbeneficence and undue coercion is assessed at three key stages of treatment for youth with substance use disorders (SUDs): the informed consent process, maintaining confidentiality, and treatment planning. We explore these concerns as they relate to the ethical principles of psychologists as outlined by the American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association [APA], 2017), as well as pertinent state and national legislative guidelines. The paper culminates in actionable recommendations to resolve these inconsistencies in practice and emphasizes opportunities for professionals at all career stages to engage in ethical policy initiatives. These endeavors aim to reduce potential for undue coercion and nonbeneficence from psychologists treating youth with substance use disorders and to elucidate beneficial treatment pathways for youth navigating substance use challenges.

Adultification: risk factors, harmful effects and implications for nursing practice

Adultification, whereby children and young people are perceived as older or more mature than they actually are, disproportionately affects those from minority ethnic backgrounds. It can also occur in other contexts, for example when children and young people are placed in a position of adult responsibility. Nurses have a duty to support and protect children and young people, which includes protecting them from adultification and the negative effects it can have on health and well-being. This article discusses strategies nurses can use to prevent adultification - such as developing awareness, avoiding adultifying language and listening to children and young people - and actions to take when suspecting adultification from colleagues.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Youth: A Primer for Pediatricians

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a relatively common occurrence in youth, and pediatricians must be prepared to address this behavior in their patients in an open and nonjudgmental way. Although NSSI is done without suicidal intent, its occurrence does increase the risk for suicide and is often found with other diagnosable psychiatric conditions. Screening for NSSI should be accompanied by screening for suicidal ideation and comorbid psychiatric disorders to ensure that the patient's current risk is properly assessed and that they have access to the right resources and treatments. This article is a primer for primary care pediatricians for how to talk about and address NSSI in their patients. [Pediatr Ann. 2021;50(2):e72-e76.].