International recommendation

Mental health for children

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Themes:
Mental healthMunicipalities
Populations of concern:
ChildrenLGBTIQ+ personsPersons with mental health issues
Relevant CRC articles:
Art. 24 – HealthArt. 27 – Adequate standard of livingArt. 33 – Drug abuseArt. 6 – Right to life, survival and development
Source:
CRC/C/NOR/CO/5-6, para. 26

Recommended measures (3)

Measure
Measure type:
Resources
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Health and Care Services

The State party should allocate sufficient resources to the mental health sector, both in general and according to the individual needs of each municipality.

Measure
Measure types:
Statistics and researchTraining and capacity building
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Health and Care ServicesMinistry of Justice and Public Security

The State party should investigate the causes of suicidal tendencies, particularly among transgender children and children in migration reception centres, and ensure that measures are developed to prevent such tendencies and that health personnel are adequately trained in that regard.

Measure
Measure type:
Practices and guidelines
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Health and Care Services

The State party should improve the diagnosis of mental health problems among children and ensure that any initial diagnosis of ADHD is reassessed, that appropriate non-medical, scientifically based psychiatric counselling and specialist support for children, their parents and teachers are given priority over the prescription of drugs in addressing ADHD and other behavioural specificities, with particular attention given to boys, and that parents and children are informed about the negative side effects of treatments with psychostimulants and are provided with information on non-medical treatments.