Medication information

Medication can be an important part of treatment

But in order to use medications safely and effectively, children, young people and their families need to know:

• how to take medications correctly
• what side effects to expect
• how to monitor these effects
• when to expect them
• what to do if the medication doesn’t appear to be working
• what to do if an adverse drug reaction is experienced

To find this information from a trustworthy and independent source, Mental Health provides brochures made by Choice and Medication. These brochures discuss medication treatment options, and the benefits and risks of particular medications.

The brochures on the Choice and Medication website have information on medications used to treat mental health problems (psychotropic medications). We recommend that our clients use the information they find on the website as a starting point for a conversation with staff about their treatment options.

Mental Health believes that providing information on medication allows children, young people and their families to make informed choices about their healthcare. This initiative is supported by the Mental Health Medical Advisory Committee (MAC).