Child and adolescent mental health is a significant public health concern, as it predicts mental health in adulthood, is associated with the attainment of developmental tasks, academic achievement, and family relationships, and coincides with an increasing prevalence of disorders during this developmental period. Effective and appropriate intervention is therefore crucial, with most individuals in Slovenia seeking help within public healthcare institutions, including the Counseling Center for Children, Adolescents and Parents Ljubljana (SCOMS). The aim of this master’s thesis was to analyze the professional treatment of children and adolescents at SCOMS in relation to their demographic characteristics and psychosocial difficulties. The sample comprised 494 children and adolescents admitted to treatment in 2022. Professionals completed outpatient questionnaires in 2022 and 2024 assessing demographic, family, and school variables, as well as types and outcomes of interventions. The most common difficulties were hyperkinetic disorders, other anxiety disorders, and pervasive developmental disorders. The predominant types of intervention included diagnostic assessment, individual therapeutic treatment, work with parents, reports, and multidisciplinary team meetings. Psychosocial functioning remained stable in approximately half of the children over two years, deteriorated in one third, and improved in one quarter. More favorable outcomes were associated with diagnostic assessment, individual treatment, and parent-focused interventions, whereas less favorable outcomes were observed in relation to single consultation sessions and team meetings. The study highlights the relevance and multidisciplinarity of treatment for children and adolescents at SCOMS, as well as its responsiveness to their needs, thereby contributing to a better understanding of practices within the public healthcare system and informing the future development of child and adolescent mental health services.
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