Perceptions about children and adolescents' mental health crisis intervention: a qualitative systematic review

Cad Saude Publica. 2024 Dec 20;40(11):e00016324. doi: 10.1590/0102-311XEN016324. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

This review aimed to identify and synthesize the perceptions of mental healthcare professionals, family members, and users about mental health crisis interventions for children and adolescents at hospitals and community mental health services. A qualitative systematic review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institution guidelines. The search was performed in 15 databases, with no temporal delimitation, and included studies in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. All works were assessed regarding methodological quality, credibility, and dependability according to the ConQual score and the recommendations were assessed following the Joanna Briggs Institution guidelines. In total, two independent reviewers screened and assessed the studies, extracted their data, developed categories, and conducted the thematic synthesis. A total of 13 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. From these, five syntheses were developed: importance of relationships; importance of procedures during treatment; positive emotional responses to treatment; negative emotional responses to treatment; and issues with health professionals and health services. All five syntheses presented high dependability; two syntheses presented high credibility; and three presented moderate credibility. Mental healthcare professionals, family members and users had convergent perceptions about crisis intervention provided at healthcare services. Understanding their perceptions to improve care and the user experience in this vulnerable situation is crucial.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Child
  • Community Mental Health Services
  • Crisis Intervention* / methods
  • Family / psychology
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Mental Health Services
  • Perception
  • Qualitative Research*