This program will discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Latinos. It will examine strategies and opportunities to improve their mental health during the pandemic while also raising awareness and how to deal with the combined stressors of COVID-19 related to unemployment, insurance benefits inequities, and social isolation with three prominent leaders in their respective fields.

Learning Objectives

• Provide an overview of the mental health inequities experienced by Latinos and its relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and how the virus has disproportionately sickened Hispanic Communities in the United States.
• Share Prevention programs and opportunities, leveraging resources such as community health workers to reach Hispanic populations. 
• Communicate to current and new advocates about APA's existing resources supporting physician involvement in patient care and resources on safely increasing access to care.

Target Audience

Psychiatrists, medical students and other mental health professions

Estimated Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 45 minutes
Begin Date: January 17, 2022
End Date: January 17, 2025

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the completion date and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

The APA designates this enduring CME activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

All financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this activity have been mitigated.

Program Presenters

• Ruby Castilla-Puentes, M.D., Director, Clinical Development, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Castilla is a full time employee of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company.
• Margarita Alegria, M.D., Chief, Disparities Research Unit, Mass General Research Institute, Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Omar Contreras-Escontrias, Senior Director of Policy Research, American Dental Education Association, Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Regina James, M.D., Chief, Division of Diversity and Health Equity, Deputy Medical Director, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Program Planners

• Gabriel Escontrias, Jr., Ed.D., Director, Health Equity, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Regina James, M.D., Chief, Division of Diversity and Health Equity, Deputy Medical Director, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
• Internet Explorer 11+

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact learningcenter@psych.org for technical assistance