Psychosocial Support

The best form of psychosocial support is a healthy family and supportive environment, preferably in the child's community of origin, or one that is culturally similar. Psychosocial well-being is a product of multiple support, which is rooted in the ability to form healthy relationships and participate in community networks.

However, certain considerations may be required in order to help children and caretakers come to terms with life-changing events, such as the loss of a parent. Separation can be highly stressful for children, particularly if it is unexpected, or repeated. Some children may experience anxiety, attachment problems, sleep disturbances, dependency issues, regression, and a range of other behavioural issues which threaten their mental health and development.

Specific types of support may be required for children suffering from loss, severe or chronic ill health, abuse or exploitation. The child’s experience, age, resilience, and the level of support received from the family and community will determine if a child needs external services. A child is far less likely to experience psychosocial stress if they have good natural support mechanisms and therefore protection efforts should focus on supporting families and communities to help each other.

When psychosocial support is needed, an assessment is important in determining the scope and type of issues, the existing family and community resources, and analysis of how these can be strengthened. Clinical mental health interventions such as therapy, psychiatry or psychological counseling, should only be provided by trained professionals after a clinical assessment and, in all cases, should be culturally relevant.

Psychosocial activities must promote the children’s development and their relationships with others, re-establish routines, increase self confidence and sense of control over their lives. Children’s activities, such as the provision of safe places, group work or referrals to specialists, should be designed around the child’s individual needs, age, gender, and cultural identity. Interventions should be empowering, inclusive, and fully integrated with wider community efforts. Children’s participation is essential in psychosocial work; children should be encouraged to express their opinions, and to have these taken into account.

The literature found here describes the psychosocial effects of separation, and other threats to children such as HIV/AIDS, conflict, abuse and exploitation, and provides guidance and examples of psychosocial interventions.

Displaying 331 - 340 of 517

Browse Other Topics

The lived experiences of children living on the streets of Hillbrow

Chris Myburgh, Aneesa Moolla, & Marie Poggenpoel - Curationis 38(1), 22 May 2015

The aim of this research was to explore and describe the lived experiences of children living on the streets of Hillbrow, Johannesburg, with a focus on children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Kenya: National Directory for Children’s Service Providers

The National Council for Children’s Services, Republic of Kenya, 01 May 2015

This document, developed through a mapping exercise conducted by the National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS) and the Department of Children Services (DCS) of Kenya, provides a comprehensive list of the agencies and programs in Kenya that provide services for children.

View Directory

Looked-after children and young people: Public Health Guideline

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) , 01 May 2015

This guideline covers how organisations, professionals and carers can work together to deliver high quality care, stable placements and nurturing relationships for looked-after children and young people in England.

Information Packet: Emotional and Psychological Well-Being of Children in Foster Care

Shoshana Indyk - National Center for Child Welfare Excellence, 01 May 2015

This information packet presents an overview of facts, statistics, policies, legislation, best practices, model programs, and additional resources related to the US child welfare system and the emotional and psychological well-being of children involved in that system.

Country Care Review: Germany

Better Care Network, 17 Apr 2015

This country care review includes the care related Concluding Observations adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

USAID/Uganda OVC Portfolio Review

4Children, 02 Apr 2015

This portfolio review of OVC programming in Uganda focuses on several priority issues, including: (1) targeting case management and referral mechanisms; (2) graduation; (3) links with HIV/AIDS care and treatment partners; and (4) overall coordination amongst implementing partners.

The Experience of Receiving and Delivering Consultation in a Residential Childcare Setting for Looked-after and Accommodated Children

Katie Durka & Thomas Hacker - Child Care in Practice , 12 Mar 2015

The aim of this study was to explore the experience of consultation in three residential childcare settings in the UK.

View Article

Prevalence and Comorbidity of Mental Disorders Among Adolescents Living in Residential Youth Care

Thomas Jozefiak , Nanna Sønnichsen Kayed, Tormod Rimehaug, Anne Kristine Wormdal, Ann Mari Brubakk, and Lars Wichstrøm , 07 Mar 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders applying diagnostic interviews in an entire population of adolescents living in residential youth care (RYC) in Norway.

View Article

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Poor Mental Health Outcomes Among Racially Diverse Foster Care Alumni: Impact of Perceived Agency Helpfulness

Antonio R. Garcia, Kirk O’Brien, Minseop Kim, Peter J. Pecora, Tracy Harachi and Eugene Aisenberg - Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23 Jan 2015

This study examines the influence of a subset of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), placement instability, and childhood disability in uniquely predicting mental health outcomes among racially diverse foster care alumni from a private foster care agency in the US.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Poor Mental Health Outcomes Among Racially Diverse Foster Care Alumni: Impact of Perceived Agency Helpfulness - Online First - Springer

Breaking social barriers: A participatory observation of social-media interactions in an undergraduate-student mentorship of at-risk youth at a foster care institution in Puerto Rico

Elenita Irizarry Ramos - University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, 2015

This thesis paper employed qualitative methods to capture the online interaction of undergraduate volunteers as part of an undergraduate-student mentorship program. This program was developed to provide mentorship and tutoring for at-risk-youth at a foster care institution.

View Paper