Children and Young People

  • Yan Li and Christian Hakulinen

    How Mental Health Affects School Performance

    Discover how mental health conditions impact school performance in children and adolescents. Explore research on over 837,000 young people, highlighting the effects of anxiety, depression, gender differences, and age of onset on academic achievement—and why early support matters.

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  • dark haired boy swinging on a swing

    Trauma in Care Experienced Children: Improving Access to Trauma-Informed Care

    Care experienced children and young people are much more likely to experience trauma and trauma-related mental health difficulties than their peers. Yet many do not receive timely support or access to treatments that are backed by evidence. Recent research highlights that the challenge is not simply identifying distress but ensuring that care-experienced children can access effective interventions, particularly trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapies (TF-CBTs). In this blog, we explore these barriers, as well as what effective trauma-informed care could look like. Blog by Professor Francisco Musich.

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  • Reflections from the room

    Relational trauma: looking beyond the child

    When a child has been affected by relational trauma, it might be easy to assume that the child is the one who needs to be treated. But in practice, working with the child matters just as much as working with the adults who care for them and with the everyday relationships the child lives inside. That second part seems to be the one most easily overlooked.

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  • Meng Chuan Lai

    Autism: Camouflaging and Masking (Impression Management) — Evidence and Clinical Implications

    Explore the latest evidence on camouflaging and masking in autism (also known as Impression Management), including developmental considerations, clinical debates, and implications for assessment and support. Led by expert Associate Professor Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai.

    Event type
    Advanced session
    Location
    Online
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  • Autism concept. Lonely little boy covering his ears outdoors 1

    Trauma and Autism: How It Affects Children and Young People

    Autistic children and young people are more likely to experience adversity and traumatic events than their non-autistic peers. Yet, trauma is often missed in autism. Why? Professor Francisco Musich explains.

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  • Alessio Bellato 1

    Meet the expert: Emotion Regulation with Dr. Alessio Bellato

    In November, ACAMH will host a two-part short course Assessment Tools and Interventions for Emotion (Dys)Regulation: Practical Approaches. We caught up with the course leader – Dr. Alessio Bellato, Lecturer in Children and Young People’s Mental Health at the University of Southampton – about the topic itself, his career, and his hopes for the event.

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  • Reflections from the room

    OCD and BDD in young people: rethinking causes and access

    Rethinking childhood OCD causes (genetics over infections), BDD self-harm risks in teens, and internet CBT access solutions for clinicians and families. ‘Reflections from the room’ from our webinar ‘OCD; An update on OCD and related disorders in children and young people’, led by Professor David Mataix-Cols

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  • child smiling mhaw

    Take Action for Young Minds: Evidence-Based Resources for Mental Health Awareness Week

    Mental Health Awareness Week is a call to take action. Awareness matters — but meaningful change happens when we act. Whether you’re supporting your own mental health or helping to build healthier schools, workplaces, and communities, every action counts. Together, we can create environments where good mental health can thrive.

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  • Mason Mi Zhou

    Adolescent school transition: How moving school impacts teenage wellbeing

    Discover how primary to secondary school transition can affect adolescent wellbeing, anxiety, belonging, and motivation, and explore ways schools can support students through change.

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  • Teenage girl sitting curled up in chair hugging knees during group therapy session looking down with thoughtful expression while adult woman listening nearby

    Brief Mental Health Interventions in Youth: What They Are and Who They Help

    Explore how brief mental health interventions, including single-session interventions and one-session treatment, can improve access, support young people, and deliver timely evidence-based care.

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