In October 2021, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), declared a national state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified a decade-long crisis in youth mental health, revealing deep-seated vulnerabilities and disparities in care. With 1 in 5 children and adolescents living with behavioral and/or developmental disorders and less than half receiving treatment, many young people suffer in silence. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10-24, with a disproportionate increase in rates among Black children, signaling an urgent need for action.
This CME course explores how the pandemic has exacerbated social determinants of mental health—such as family mental health and substance use issues, racial disparities, social isolation, trauma, and economic stress—creating a perfect storm for youth, particularly from marginalized communities. The course examines systemic and structural racism within systems meant to protect these populations, highlighting the compounded impact of the syndemics of racism, COVID-19, and mental health.
Participants will delve into the rising severity, complexity, and comorbidities among youth presenting in emergency departments, as well as gaps in the existing mental health care system's ability to meet increasing demand. The course outlines the Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health Principles endorsed by AACAP, emphasizing prevention, early intervention, school-based mental health, and integration of mental health into pediatric primary care.
Through discussions on the experiences of ethnic minority, underserved, LGBTQ, justice-involved, child welfare-involved, and disabled youth, this course offers insights into efforts to transform systems of care. It also focuses on the essential role of advocacy and collaboration with youth, families, and communities in advancing health equity and justice. Participants will gain an understanding of strategies to integrate mental health services with pediatric care, enhance school-based mental health, and coordinate crisis response services, aiming to create a more equitable mental health care system for all youth.
Format
Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity.
This presentation was recorded at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2023.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the social determinants of mental health for youth and disparities among communities of color
- Acknowledge the most important elements of the current crisis in child and adolescent mental health
- Identify the strategies in response to the youth mental health crisis
Target Audience
Medical Students, Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 1.5 hours
Begin Date: October 1, 2024
End Date: October 1, 2027
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 event date and hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Program Presenters
- Warren Ng, M.D., M.P.H., American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Tami Benton, M.D., American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Program Planners
- Vishal Madaan, MD. Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director, APA.
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