Mental Health Needs of Children and Adolescents at Camp: Are They Being Assessed and Treated Appropriately by the Camp Nurse?

TOPIC: Increasingly, more children and adolescents are attending camps with mental health concerns. This can pose a challenge for camp nurses who may lack experience in assessment and treatment of mental health issues. PURPOSE: To focus on the importance of addressing and treating mental health needs of children and adolescents at camp utilizing the Scope and Standards of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice. SOURCES: Personal observations, camp nursing experience, and scholarly published literature. CONCLUSIONS: It is paramount that mental health needs of children and adolescents at camp are addressed and managed appropriately by the camp nurse. Education of camp nurses and camp administrators is also a vital part of providing care.