NR 606 Week 1 Discussion: Barriers & Solutions in Pediatric Mental Healthcare | 2025 Update
with complete solutions.
1. Discuss at least two beliefs or other factors that are related to pediatric or
perinatal mental healthcare that create barriers to mental health treatment.
a. Stigma: There are many families and caregivers who do not truly
understand mental health and the importance of seeking help when
needed, to the point where they are to ashamed to seek help for their
children or themselves. This is exceptionally common in minority areas.
“Children and adolescents in racial, ethnic, sexual, gender and other
minority groups experience inequities in access to care and disparities
in outcomes for mental and behavioral health conditions” (Hoffmann,
J.A., et. al., 2022). This is common because there are often
misconceptions about mental health and because of the lack of true
understanding they just refuse to seek help. They may also be faced
with more financial hardships so they may not be able to afford the
proper care which can lead to shame or guilt as a parent, so they just
do not seek help.
b. Limited access to care: Families in low-income or poverty-stricken
areas may not have direct access to mental health services. This is
often due to the lack of providers who specialize in mental health, long
waitlists for appointments, lack of transportation, or lack of insurance.
According to Crowe, et. al (2019), Rural residents often must travel
great distances to receive services, are less likely to be insured for
mental healthcare, and have lower mental health literacy. This often
leads to feelings of being judged and that their needs are not being
met properly, which in return results in lack of follow-up or willingness
to participate.
2. Identify at least two specific education strategies or resources the PMHNP can
provide to clients and families to address these barriers.
a. Provide supportive information and resources pertaining to mental
health conditions and methods of treatment to all clients, family
members, and caregivers. This would include handouts, online
informational sites, pamphlets, and conversations. These options would
help with explaining treatment options, symptoms to monitor for,
causes of conditions, and descriptions of different mental health
disorders. These informational sources may also include information
regarding accepted insurances and how to properly access the service
if needed. According to the CDC (2023), providing minorities with the
information needed about mental health helps create health equality.
b. Introducing those to support groups and other peer-to-peer supportive
methods to create an intimate place where adolescents can have a
judgment free zone. In this place they can share their experiences with
others, receive feedback, and learn from someone else who may be
experiencing something similar or the same. According to Bauer, et. al
(2021), ways in which social support can be mobilized to improve the
mental health of children and adolescents.
3. Identify one policy at either the federal, state, or local level that impacts
mental health services for children and adolescents or clients in the perinatal
period. Explain whether the policy supports or inhibits services.
with complete solutions.
1. Discuss at least two beliefs or other factors that are related to pediatric or
perinatal mental healthcare that create barriers to mental health treatment.
a. Stigma: There are many families and caregivers who do not truly
understand mental health and the importance of seeking help when
needed, to the point where they are to ashamed to seek help for their
children or themselves. This is exceptionally common in minority areas.
“Children and adolescents in racial, ethnic, sexual, gender and other
minority groups experience inequities in access to care and disparities
in outcomes for mental and behavioral health conditions” (Hoffmann,
J.A., et. al., 2022). This is common because there are often
misconceptions about mental health and because of the lack of true
understanding they just refuse to seek help. They may also be faced
with more financial hardships so they may not be able to afford the
proper care which can lead to shame or guilt as a parent, so they just
do not seek help.
b. Limited access to care: Families in low-income or poverty-stricken
areas may not have direct access to mental health services. This is
often due to the lack of providers who specialize in mental health, long
waitlists for appointments, lack of transportation, or lack of insurance.
According to Crowe, et. al (2019), Rural residents often must travel
great distances to receive services, are less likely to be insured for
mental healthcare, and have lower mental health literacy. This often
leads to feelings of being judged and that their needs are not being
met properly, which in return results in lack of follow-up or willingness
to participate.
2. Identify at least two specific education strategies or resources the PMHNP can
provide to clients and families to address these barriers.
a. Provide supportive information and resources pertaining to mental
health conditions and methods of treatment to all clients, family
members, and caregivers. This would include handouts, online
informational sites, pamphlets, and conversations. These options would
help with explaining treatment options, symptoms to monitor for,
causes of conditions, and descriptions of different mental health
disorders. These informational sources may also include information
regarding accepted insurances and how to properly access the service
if needed. According to the CDC (2023), providing minorities with the
information needed about mental health helps create health equality.
b. Introducing those to support groups and other peer-to-peer supportive
methods to create an intimate place where adolescents can have a
judgment free zone. In this place they can share their experiences with
others, receive feedback, and learn from someone else who may be
experiencing something similar or the same. According to Bauer, et. al
(2021), ways in which social support can be mobilized to improve the
mental health of children and adolescents.
3. Identify one policy at either the federal, state, or local level that impacts
mental health services for children and adolescents or clients in the perinatal
period. Explain whether the policy supports or inhibits services.
