Adolescent Health, Mental Health & Safeguarding
Provide respectful confidential care while identifying risks that need immediate support.
Quick revision ↓ Medical Dictionary
01Build trust
Speak directly to the young person and offer private discussion when appropriate. Explain confidentiality and its limits before sensitive questions. Assess understanding and decision-making ability under local policy. Respectful communication improves disclosure about health, relationships and safety without assuming every adolescent has the same needs.
02A broad assessment
Ask about home, education, eating, activity, substances, relationships and emotional wellbeing in a developmentally appropriate way. Explore bullying, abuse and online pressures when relevant. Physical symptoms may coexist with distress, so avoid dismissing medical concerns solely because psychological difficulties are present.
03Self-harm and suicide risk
Ask directly and sensitively about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, plans and immediate safety. Acute risk requires urgent specialist assessment and a safe care setting. Do not use a numerical risk score alone to decide discharge or deny care; integrate clinical needs, support and an agreed safety plan.
04Eating disorders
Weight alone does not establish medical stability. Rapid weight loss, restriction, purging, fainting, bradycardia or electrolyte disturbance can indicate serious illness at different body sizes. Arrange appropriate medical and mental-health assessment, and recognise refeeding risks when nutrition is restored after significant restriction.
05Safeguarding and transition
Respond to disclosures calmly, record facts and follow the safeguarding pathway. Explain necessary information sharing where safe. For long-term conditions, plan transfer to adult services with the young person, including medicines, appointments and self-management skills; an age birthday alone is not a complete transition plan.
High-Yield Revision
- Explain confidentiality and its limits.
- Ask about self-harm directly and sensitively.
- Body size alone does not establish eating-disorder stability.
Common Pitfalls
- Using a risk score alone to decide discharge.
- Treating transition as only a referral letter.
References & Further Reading
Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.
Reference review: 28 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.