Table 1 Summary of guideline recommendations for psychotropic prescribing for youth mental health [10,11,12]

• Non-pharmacological interventions are the first line of treatments for YMH

• Medication treatment should follow thorough assessment and diagnosis and be part of a comprehensive care plan

• Only those psychotropics with the best evidence base and safest profile should be prescribed

• Prescriptions should be in the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible

• Fluoxetine, the only SSRI with a strong evidence base, should be considered following unsuccessful psychological therapy for reduction of moderate to severe depressive symptoms in adolescents

• Benzodiazepines are generally not recommended for use in children.

• Ongoing monitoring following psychotropic prescriptions is critical.