Mental Health Concerns

Clerkship

Lecture materials and small group cases are posted here for University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine students. Access to these materials are password protected.

Objectives

By the end of the Paediatric Clerkship, a medical student will be able to:

1. List the features on history and physical examination that are consistent with depression and anxiety in children and youth.
2. Conduct a history to assess a patient’s risk of suicide.
3. Conduct a history to explore the reasons for school refusal.

Half Day Cases

• A 15 year old child has been admitted to the hospital following an overdose. Initially he had a reduced level of consciousness, but is now recovering from a medical stability standpoint. You are now asked to take a mental health history and assess their risk for self harm.
• A 14 year old is brought into your clinic. Parents are concerned that they have been refusing to attend school, and has generally had a low mood and a lack of interest in doing nay activities.