Children and Young People: Mental Health Promotion
Find information resources about mental health promotion for children and young people including key resources, books, and journal articles. This guide is for RCN members including nursing students, nursing support workers, and registered nurses.
Key Resources
Clinical resources on RCN Learn -
House of Commons Library briefing on children and young people鈥檚 mental health policy.
-
This RCN Mental Health Forum factsheet was undertaken in collaboration with Mind. The purpose of this resource is to help nurses understand and promote choice in how children and young people can access mental health services.
-
This RCN Foundation funded scoping report was undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University.
Books
Bennett S et al. (eds.) (2022) Oxford guide to brief and low intensity interventions for children and young people. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pavlopoulou G et al. (2024) Improving mental health therapies for autistic children and young people: promoting self-agency, curiosity and collaboration. Oxford: Taylor & Francis Group.
Laver-Bradbury C, Thompson M J, Gale C and Hooper C (eds.) (2021) Child and adolescent mental health: theory and practice. 3rd edn. London; Routledge.
Nabors L (ed.) (2022) Resilient children: nurturing positivity and well-being across development. Cham: Springer International.
Price J, McAlinden O and Veal Z (eds.) (2024) Essentials of nursing children and young people. 2nd edn. London: Sage Publications.
Sharp H and Walker L (eds.) (2023) Participation in children and young people's mental health: an essential guide. Milton: Taylor & Francis Group.
Trainor G and Heaslip V (2025) Needs of children and young people living with complex mental health difficulties: why it’s everyone’s business. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Yearwood E L, Pearson G S and Newland J A (2021) Child and adolescent behavioral health: a resource for advanced practice psychiatric and primary care practitioners in nursing. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons. Book subject searches
Journal articles
Journals
Journals of interest for children and young people mental health promotion. Use these links to see details of availability. Explore
-
A reading list of expert endorsed books about mental health, providing 13 to 18 year olds with advice and information about issues like anxiety, stress and OCD, and difficult experiences like bullying and exams. The books have all been recommended by young people and health professionals, and are available to borrow for free from public libraries.
-
MindEd provides free open access online training in emotional and behavioural 鈥榝irst aid鈥� and essential therapeutic skills for all those involved in the mental wellbeing and care of children and young people in the UK. MindEd is developed and supported by a group of multi-disciplinary organisations including the RCN.
RCN Exhibition: Once Upon a Time... a history of children and young people's nursing exhibition. -
This exhibition explores the history of children and young people鈥檚 nursing 鈥� from the first children's hospitals to the development of family-centred care today.
View online exhibition
-
This co-produced resource is intended to improve the experience of children and young people who attend hospital due to their mental health. It is relevant to anyone who works in an acute hospital.
This subject guide relates to:
Joseph Dempster
Editor of this guide
RCN Library and Museum
Upcoming events relating to this subject guide
-
09 Nov 2026 - 10 Nov 2026
Birmingham
Nursing Live
Join Nursing Live for two days of CPD, inspiring keynote speakers, practical workshops and wellbeing support. Discover 150+ expert-led sessions, connect with peers and explore the latest developments in professional nursing.
-
11 Nov 2026
Online
Daytime urinary incontinence in children: The new guidance
Functional daytime urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common among children and teenagers and can have a significant impact on their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
-
10 Jun 2027
London
RCN Children and Young People's Conference 2027
Call for poster abstracts - submit by 15 January 2027
Page last updated - 22/09/2026