Nursing Chair Co-Edits Second Edition of Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Textbook

March 22, 2021 – The second edition of Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health: A Resource for Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Primary Care Practitioners in Nursing (Wiley-Blackwell) was recently published.

Dr. Edilma L. Yearwood, chair of the Department of Professional Nursing Practice at Georgetown, co-edited the text along with longtime colleagues Dr. Geraldine S. Pearson and Dr. Jamesetta A. Newland – all of whom edited the first edition in 2012. (Visit the website for the textbook.)

“We recognize that nurses are working in various care systems to address the ongoing problem of unmet mental health needs of the pediatric population,” the editors write in the 609-page book’s preface. “The research on health disparities continues to show that early identification, access to care, and early treatment are lacking for vulnerable populations of children and adolescents.”

‘Urgent Need’

The editors add that COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health-related issues for health systems, individuals, and communities around the world.

“Consequently, mental health of all has been strained, with increased rates of anxiety, depression, isolation, personal loss and self-medication,” they write. “Given the current uncertainty and crisis, there is an urgent need to integrate behavioral health into primary care treatment and to be mindful of the full range of needs of children, adolescents and their families.”

The second edition includes 33 chapters with ones coauthored by Yearwood on “Child, Adolescent, and Family Development;” “Deliberate Self-harm: Nonsuicidal Self-injury and Suicide in Children and Adolescents;” “Nonpharmacological Treatment Modalities: Play and Group Therapies;” and “Cultural Influences on Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Needs of Immigrant, Refugee, Displaced, and Culturally Vulnerable Youth.”

Additionally, Dr. Sarah B. Vittone, assistant professor of professional nursing practice, coauthored a chapter on, “Legal and Ethical Issues,” and Professor Joan B. Riley, associate professor of human science, coauthored one on “Feeding and Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents.”

“. . . This comprehensive and timely resource has been fully updated to include DSM-5 criteria and the latest guidance on assessing, diagnosing, and treating the most common behavioral health issues facing young people,” according to materials about the textbook. “New and expanded chapters cover topics including eating disorders, bullying and victimization, LGBTQ identity issues, and conducting research with high-risk children and adolescents.”

Taking Action

Dr. Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer, and dean and professor of the College of Nursing at Ohio State University, and Dr. Thomas Achenbach, professor and president of the Research Center for Children, Youth, and Families at the University of Vermont, contributed forewords to the second edition.

“Wait times for mental health evaluations and treatment in many areas of the United States are 3-6 months, therefore it is imperative that primary care providers become proficient in mental health screening and early interventions for the most common child and adolescent mental health problems,” Melnyk writes. “I encourage everyone who reads this book to take action on its terrific content and put the knowledge gained rapidly into practice as all children and adolescents deserve the very best evidence-based care.”

Achenbach highlighted three themes present in the book: using evidence in practice, recognizing cultural and social diversity in mental health care, and the importance of multidisciplinarity.

“The book is especially impressive for its breadth of coverage of topics important not only for nurses but for other healthcare providers as well,” Achenbach writes. “I am struck by the salience of three cross-cutting themes that are of great importance to all healthcare providers.”

By Bill Cessato