Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Core Knowledge for Practitioners
Written by the ICPS College Academic Team · Reviewed by ICPS College faculty · Last reviewed: September 2026
Children and adolescents experience mental health difficulties just as adults do, but they express them differently and depend on the adults around them for help. Practitioners in counselling, education, social care, youth work and healthcare all play a part in noticing difficulties early and responding well.
A developmental lens
Behaviour and emotion must always be understood in the context of development. What is typical at one age may signal difficulty at another. Adolescence in particular involves rapid changes in the brain, identity, relationships and independence. Practitioners need to consider:
Developmental stage and language ability, which shape how a young person communicates distress.
Attachment and family relationships.
School, peer and online environments.
Adverse childhood experiences and trauma.
Neurodevelopmental differences such as autism and ADHD.
Common presentations
Young people may present with anxiety, low mood, self-harm, eating difficulties, anger, school avoidance, trauma responses or struggles with identity and belonging. Distress is often shown through behaviour, sleep, physical complaints or withdrawal rather than words.
Working with young people
Build trust at the young person's pace, using play, creative or activity-based methods where helpful.
Involve parents and carers appropriately while respecting the young person's developing autonomy.
Explain confidentiality and its limits in language the young person understands.
Take a strengths-based approach that recognises resilience and supportive relationships.
Coordinate with schools, GPs and other services where appropriate and with consent.
Safeguarding and referral
Anyone working with children in Ireland should be familiar with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and with the Children First Act 2015, including the responsibilities of mandated persons. Where a young person may need specialist mental health care, practitioners should know local referral routes, which typically involve the GP and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Childline offers young people free support on 1800 66 66 66, and anyone in immediate danger should contact 112 or 999.
Further training
The Professional Diploma in Child & Adolescent Mental Health is a live-online programme carrying 60 CPD credits. It covers child and adolescent development, common mental health presentations, therapeutic engagement, safeguarding and multi-agency working for counsellors, psychotherapists and allied professionals.
Related ICPS College courses
References
Children First Act 2015 (No. 36 of 2015). Dublin: Government of Ireland.
Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2017) Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Dublin: Government Publications.
Important information
This article is educational content for practitioners and learners. It is not a substitute for professional advice, counselling or therapy.
If you are struggling or in distress in Ireland, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or text HELLO to 50808 at any time. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.
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