National service framework for children
http://www.100md.com
《英国医生杂志》
EDITOR—Lachman and Vickers grasp both the context and the opportunity of the national service framework for children.1 Before the framework, the Children's Tsar saw the fundamental constraint on change: "The English don't value childhood."2 But in terms of poor adult health, lifecourse research has consistently shown that the environment, experience, and capacity for learning in childhood set the scene for future illness.3
I was unexpectedly moved by the section dealing with the mental health of children and adolescents. Upfront, its focus was on the wellbeing and development of children and young people in England. It particularly challenged professionals in every area of practice to build genuine partnerships with children, young people, and families. In other words, if things are to improve for the whole population, children must cease to be invisible—they must be seen, and heard, and listened to. Active participation, the sort of public involvement that makes a difference both to the services provided and to the self efficacy of the young person, is close to a new vision of "health."
Many of us, whatever our professional discipline,4 come across young people who are struggling with difficult circumstances and have few obvious resources. For mental wellbeing that will last and last, we all need to learn new skills of working with children and families (even the most socially excluded ones) that enable them to become "mentally and emotionally resilient."5 I have taken that quote from a recent strategy addressing stigma as the biggest and most important challenge we face. For child health, indifference is the biggest and most important challenge we face—and it will be transformed, when we start to value health across the lifespan.
Woody Caan, professor of public health
APU, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SQ a.w.caan@apu.ac.uk
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Lachman P, Vickers D. The national service framework for children. BMJ 2004;329: 693-4. (25 September.)
Aynsley-Green A. The English don't value childhood. Times Higher Educ Suppl 2004 July 30: 18-19.
Graham H, Power C. Childhood disadvantage and adult health: a lifecourse framework. London: Health Development Agency, 2004.
Caan W. Paediatricians as child protectors? BMJ 2004;328(suppl): 208. (Career Focus.)
National Institute for Mental Health in England. From here to equality. Leeds: NIMHE, 2004.
I was unexpectedly moved by the section dealing with the mental health of children and adolescents. Upfront, its focus was on the wellbeing and development of children and young people in England. It particularly challenged professionals in every area of practice to build genuine partnerships with children, young people, and families. In other words, if things are to improve for the whole population, children must cease to be invisible—they must be seen, and heard, and listened to. Active participation, the sort of public involvement that makes a difference both to the services provided and to the self efficacy of the young person, is close to a new vision of "health."
Many of us, whatever our professional discipline,4 come across young people who are struggling with difficult circumstances and have few obvious resources. For mental wellbeing that will last and last, we all need to learn new skills of working with children and families (even the most socially excluded ones) that enable them to become "mentally and emotionally resilient."5 I have taken that quote from a recent strategy addressing stigma as the biggest and most important challenge we face. For child health, indifference is the biggest and most important challenge we face—and it will be transformed, when we start to value health across the lifespan.
Woody Caan, professor of public health
APU, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SQ a.w.caan@apu.ac.uk
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Lachman P, Vickers D. The national service framework for children. BMJ 2004;329: 693-4. (25 September.)
Aynsley-Green A. The English don't value childhood. Times Higher Educ Suppl 2004 July 30: 18-19.
Graham H, Power C. Childhood disadvantage and adult health: a lifecourse framework. London: Health Development Agency, 2004.
Caan W. Paediatricians as child protectors? BMJ 2004;328(suppl): 208. (Career Focus.)
National Institute for Mental Health in England. From here to equality. Leeds: NIMHE, 2004.