Outcomes of an Interprofessional Opioid Training Program for Graduate Students in Nursing and Social Work.

Social workers and other behavioral health professionals trained to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services for opioid use disorders (OUD) remain urgently needed in the U.S. particularly in states with widespread health professional shortage areas. To help mitigate this workforce gap, faculty in social work and nursing at a public university in Alabama developed and piloted an innovative HRSA-funded interprofessional traineeship to prepare graduate-level nursing and social work students to assess and treat opioid use disorders (OUD). The yearlong traineeship included specialized coursework on evidenced-based practice in addictions, interprofessional telemedicine and simulation training, and multi-semester field practica in outpatient treatment settings. Impact of the pilot training was evaluated using a pre-experimental one group design. Baseline and post-training surveys assessed knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to OUD and interprofessional practice and perceived program impact. Significant increases were observed for trainees' self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Moreover, at graduation students reported that the traineeship had improved their abilities to interact with underserved populations, collaborate interprofessionally, and understand ethical issues in SUD treatment as well as enhancing their professional competence, clinical problem-solving, and health workforce skills. Findings suggest that the interprofessional training program may prepare social work and nursing graduate students to effectively serve clients with OUD and help to address a critical workforce gap in medically underserved communities.

Irritability in Childhood and Adolescence.

Irritability is common among children 5 and younger and is defined as a marked predisposition to anger. Irritability in childhood is associated with later psychopathology, suicide, and financial instability. Its persistence through later childhood may be associated with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Assessment of irritability and psychiatric nursing implications are discussed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(12), 28-31.].

Suicide in Childhood.

Suicide by children younger than 11 is a sad and tragic occurrence. Indeed, suicidal ideation and behavior has been documented in children as young as ages 3 to 7. The current overview provides a discussion of the frequency of suicide in children and associated predisposing conditions, such as depression and abuse. In response to these tragic events, nursing interventions are also proposed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(10), 27-30.].

Update on Substance Use in Adolescence.

With alarming frequency, an individual's first substance use occurs in childhood or adolescence. However, the use of many types of substances among individuals younger than 18 has been gradually declining over the past 6 years, and our understanding of risk factors for youth substance use has improved. Risk factors identified as possibly contributing to a young individual's first encounter with cigarettes or alcohol include parents' own substance use or mental health problems. Mental disorders of children have been implicated in substance use as well. Screening and interventions are available to reduce the frequency and intensity of adolescent substance use and are suggested in the current article. Nurses are in a position to identify adolescents who are at risk for substance use disorders and link the family system to effective intervention. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(8), 24-27.].

Update on Anxiety Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence.

Despite significant progress in understanding anxiety disorders in youth, affected children are often unrecognized and never receive adequate treatment recognition. Although common among children and adolescents, many parents and health care providers do not realize anxiety disorders in youth predict anxiety disorders in adulthood. The history of anxiety disorders in childhood and their continuity into adolescence and adulthood are discussed. Treatment options and best practices for psychiatric nurses are also explored. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54 (6), 25-28.].

Adolescents Who Self-Injure.

Children and adolescents engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) at a much higher frequency than parents and caregivers may estimate. This form of self-injury has long been distinguished from suicide, with distinct risk factors and comorbidities for each behavior. Although the outcome of NSSI is less devastating than suicide, adolescents who self-injure are suffering. Adolescents live and move within a particular context and view the world from a unique developmental perspective. Treatment should proceed from alliance with the patient and an understanding of the context in which he/she lives. Modifiable risk factors have been identified and several treatments are shown to reduce frequency of self-injury. Some interventions have been shown to actually increase distress. Nurses are in a position to identify adolescents who self-injure and connect the whole family system to appropriate effective intervention.

Mental Health of Young Refugees.

Children and adolescents exposed to violence and upheaval of war and relocation are at high risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Rates of PTSD among refugee children may exceed 50%. Additional stressors encountered while adjusting to host cultures add another layer of difficulty. Most refugee children struggling with symptoms of PTSD or depression are never linked with appropriate mental health care resources. Psychiatric nurses can serve a critical function in the identification and treatment of refugee children experiencing PTSD and depression.