An Allied Mental Health Aide Memoire to Disposition of Minors, Following Presentation to Emergency Department with Mental Health Difficulties

Abstract

Assessing and managing mental health issues in minors in the emergency department (ED) can be different from the management of adults. This may cause confusion to newly recruited staff in an ED. This paper aims to give a broad overview of some of the Commonwealth-based legal concepts which apply to minors with reference to basic medical standards such as good medical practice. Practice points are emphasised that apply to the management of minors which applies to many jurisdictions. The aim is to give personnel commencing in ED a simplified but comprehensive overview. For out-of-hours a template and aide memoire, up to date in early 2015, is given on how to clarify and streamline reflection on client management, disposition and reduce potential confusion about the diverse legal frameworks that pertain to mental health care of minors.