S6 Ep6: Paediatric Mini-Series: Adolescent Mental Health

🩺 Episode Overview:
In the final episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series, we focus on a rapidly growing challenge for healthcare providers — adolescent mental health. Adolescents are navigating identity, independence, and social pressures, all while being at higher risk of developing mental health conditions.

Dr Andrew Tagg shares insights on recognising when a young person is in crisis, communicating effectively, and using the HEADSSS screening tool to structure safe, supportive, and thorough psychosocial evaluations in the prehospital and acute care settings.

📊 Why It Matters:

WHO reports that 1 in 7 adolescents experiences a mental disorder, and many never access help until crisis point.
 A structured approach like HEADSSS helps clinicians move from small talk to meaningful assessment without missing key risks.

🧰 Resources & Further Reading:

• Don’t Forget The Bubbles – HEEADSSS Tool
• Headspace (Australia) – Youth Mental Health Services
• YoungMinds (UK) – Adolescent Support and Advocacy
• WHO Adolescent Mental Health Overview
• Mental Health First Aid Training

🧠 Take-Home Message:
The HEADSSS tool gives you a roadmap to guide delicate conversations, uncover hidden risks, and connect young people to the support they need — sometimes for the very first time.

DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own.