Mental Health Assessment of CHD Patients: Insights from Heart Kids Survey

Hello, my name is Holly Russell. I am 17 years old and have Tetralogy of Fallot. I am currently in my first year of college, studying an HNC in Business Management. One aspect of my course focuses on research skills, and I am particularly passionate about mental health issues surrounding congenital heart disease (CHD) in children.

This topic resonates with me deeply, as I have faced my own struggles with both my mental health and heart condition over the years. For my college research project, I have decided to explore the support and resources available to children with heart conditions, as well as their specific needs. I believe there is not enough awareness surrounding this issue, and I am on a personal mission to raise attention to it.

I am conducting a survey to gain insight from children/young adults with CHD regarding the support they may require mentally. I understand that confidentiality is crucial, so I have made this survey anonymous. The questions are intentionally kept vague, and all responses are optional. If there are questions you feel unable to answer, please do not feel obliged to respond.

I greatly appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you!

(If you are struggling with your mental health, even if its not heart related, please reach out for help. I understand you may not know where to start and it can be intimidating but there are a lot of amazing resources available including myself and this group. Take care of yourself guys :p )

1.Have you had any surgeries or major procedures since you were 12 years old?

Yes

2.Have / did you received any mental health support transferring from paediatric to geriatric care?

3.Do you feel as though your mental health concerns are understood by unspecialised/general health care teams (eg. GP)?

Yes, General healthcare teams fully understand my concerns.

Yes, General healthcare teams understand the concern but not the impact.

No, General healthcare teams do not understand my mental health concerns.

Not applicable, I have never seen a General healthcare team about my mental health concerns

Not applicable, I have / had no mental health concerns.

4.Do you feel as though your condition has affected your mental health, social development or relationships with family and friends?
if no, leave blank.
if yes please share as much information as you feel comfortable.

5.Has any mandatory heart medication directly impacted your mental health or affected access to mental health medication?
if no, leave blank.
if yes, please share as much information as you feel comfortable.

6.Do you feel as though there is enough support offered by mental health specialists?

Yes, I feel I have been offered more than enough support.

Yes, I feel I have been offered an adequate amount of support.

No, I feel I have not been offered enough support.

No, I have not been offered any support.

7.Do you feel as though there is room for improvement in the NHS mental health care system?
if no, leave blank.
if yes, please share as much information as you feel comfortable.

8.Do you feel as though there is enough support offered surrounding regular check ups or 'less important' hospital visits?

Yes, I feel there is more than enough support surrounding these appointments.

Yes, i feel there is an adequate amount of support surrounding these appointments.

No I feel there is not enough support surrounding these appointments.

No, I feel there is no support support surrounding these appointments.

9.FREE SPACE. If there is anyone you think that could help me with this topic, even just your parents, if you could please leave a name and a contact for them, any websites, articles or sources you think may be of use aswell if greatly appreciated. Also, you are welcome to share any stories, appointments, concerns, vent or rant if you need to.