Psychiatric nurses focus on children’s mental health

This week psychiatric nurse practitioners from across the country are being trained to better address the needs of children. The two-day workshop, an initiative of the National Committee for Families and Children in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, is being facilitated by psychologist Dr. Jim Kanter and Judith Boivin, a registered nurse and licensed clinical social worker, both of Hand in Hand Ministries.

Judith Boivin, Clinical Social Worker, R.N.
?The more adults that are professional caregivers that know about children and adolescents, the better caregivers they are going to be able to be, especially if they know more about their growth and development and how to work with them in an effective manner.?

Dr. Jim Kanter, Psychologist
?They have requested specifically more information on working with children, adolescents, specifically on child sexual abuse which is a huge area in the country, and how they deal with that as well as perpetrators. They have asked about specifically issues with adolescents, anger management, depression, anxiety, behavioural problems, because many of them go out into the schools and work there.?

It is hoped that the training will also increase the collaboration between various agencies including the Ministry of Health, the Community Rehabilitation Department and the Department of Human Services.