Paediatric Mini-Series: Adolescent Mental Health
Thu Aug 14 2025
🩺 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.
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🩺 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.