Fatima Of The Kingdom
The mental health children and adolescents are suffering from a “deterioration frightening”. The numbers of mental illness among this very vulnerable sector of the population have not stopped growing in recent years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Dr. Pedro J. Rodríguez Hernándezpresident of the Society of Child Psychiatry (SPI), currently, “disorders and self-harm have tripled” in Spanish minors.
This was stated during a press conference held in Madrid this Thursday, in which the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) made an urgent call to focus attention on the mental health of children and adolescents. “If before the pandemic the situation was already complicated, since approximately 10% of children and 20 percent of adolescents suffered from some type of mental disorder, the current scenario is one of absolute emergency, since the number has skyrocketed to 47% since then“He pointed out Paula Armerothe coordinator of the Mental Health Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics.
“If before the pandemic the situation was already complicated, the figure has shot up to 47% since then”
The AEP has assured that the numbers of mental illness among this sector of the population have not stopped growing in recent years and point out that the 95% of pediatricians They have detected it in their consultations, according to an analysis published in Anales de Pediatría. Besides. The coordinator of the Committee has highlighted that these problems that occur in young people and adolescents are reflected in symptoms of depression, eating disorders, self-harm, anxiety and behavioral changes.
He has also shown his concern with cases of bullying at school and through social networks, since schools and institutes are where minors spend the most time. “If that environment is not safe, it greatly affects how they develop into adulthood. Minors need to be treated with respect by their own peers,” explained Armero.
““The overuse of screens has meant that an important part of adolescents’ socialization is through social networks.”
“The overuse of screens It has caused an important part of the socialization of adolescents to be through social networks, which have replaced other types of social relationships. That feeling of impunity generated by being behind a screen makes cases of harassment have tripled through social networks“said Dr. Rodríguez.
Manifesto for “stop” the deterioration of child and adolescent mental health
In this context, after analyzing the main challenges regarding the mental health of minors, and under the motto Pediatrics and mental health: building healthy futuresthe 13,000 pediatricians who make up the AEP have wanted to call for action in the face of the critical situation of child and adolescent mental health.
To this end, they have prepared a manifesto addressed to health, educational and social authorities and institutions in which clear proposals are made to confront this crisis and stop the increase in cases during the first stages of life. Among the proposals, they have highlighted the need for mental health prevention programs from primary care, greater training of professionals in this area, and the creation of a multidisciplinary approach to address these cases.
“It is difficult to say a specific number of professionals needed in the specialty, but we estimate that 20% more throughout Spain“
Rodríguez has also highlighted the lack of professionals specialized in mental health to meet the growing demand for care. “It is difficult to say a specific number of professionals needed in the specialty, but we estimate that 20% more throughout Spain“, he pointed out.
For its part, William Martinvice president of Primary Care of the AEP, has regretted the long lists of wait between six and nine months for a first consultation in regions like Madrid. Likewise, the manifesto calls for multidisciplinary attention; act in time due to the increase in the severity of cases, and highlights the importance of the role of families in children’s mental health.
Recognition of pediatric specialties
He recognition of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry As a specialty it has been a step forward that responds to the evolution of scientific knowledge and the growing demand for care in this area. But it is insufficient to face current challenges. In Spain, already Pediatric specialty consultations have been created that still do not have official recognition, despite the fact that the AEP has been claiming it for more than a decade.
The lack of recognition hinders adequate training of professionals and the organization of healthcare resources, so the procedures to achieve this officialization should be much more simplified.
“Protecting the physical and mental health of children and adolescents is a priority on which we must all work together”
Currently, the specialties of Neonatology, Intensive Care, Emergencies, Pediatric Endocrinology and Neurology have received the approval of the National Commission of the Specialty of Pediatrics to be recognized as Specific Training Areas (ACE), but they are still trying to achieve favorable reports and the economic studies of seven different autonomous communities established as a requirement by the Royal Decree 589/2022of July 19, which regulates the transversal training of specialties in Health Sciences. Other pediatric disciplines are turning to alternative routes to achieve their official status through the continuing education diploma.
“Protect physical and mental health of children and adolescents is a priority on which we must all work together. We urge the health authorities, the managers of health, educational and social services and society as a whole, to support this cause and provide the necessary resources to build a healthy future for our next generations,” has ended Dr. Luis Carlos Blesa Bavierapresident of the AEP.