The multi-dimensional function of the child psychiatric unit in general hospital Tzaneio

Abstract

The Inpatient and Outpatient Services of the Child Psychiatric Unit cover the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Our Outpatient Service is aimed at providing diagnosis, intervention and therapy for child psychiatric disorders. Our Inpatient Service covers the needs of the whole 2nd Health District, i.e. the needs of cases which require immediate and urgent child psychiatric care within the "Tzaneio" General Hospital. The aim of our presentation is to describe the development and multidimensional function of our Outpatient and Inpatient Services at a time of challenging psychosocial and economic conditions which seriously affect mental illness in children, adolescents and their families. We will emphasize upon the developing interconnection between the two Services (Outpatient and Inpatient) as they function with the same scientific and medical team. One of the benefits of this circumstance is that it has helped develop effective aftercare plans and treatments following hospitalization such as family therapy. The Child Psychiatric Unit has a full medical and scientific team which provides high quality care under severe economic and psychosocial conditions.

Keywords

• child
• adolescent
• mental health