Overview

Pediatricians and primary care providers (PCPs) are the first-line clinicians for children, adolescents, and young adults. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders within this population is high, with depression, anxiety and ADHD being most common. The morbidity and mortality of these disorders is significant, however they remain under-treated. Given the limitations of referral to specialty care, PCPs are tasked with managing these illnesses. Both in our experience working in a consultation center and based on the literature, PCPs face many barriers to doing so, including limitations in knowledge about and comfort in prescribing psychiatric medications.

There is great variation among general pediatricians and primary care clinicians in training and comfort with assessing and treating patients with mental health problems. This is further complicated by lack of access to appropriate mental health resources, especially if practicing in an underserved area. One area of mental health where this issue is pronounced is suicide risk assessment and management. The ethical quandaries posed by the potential lack of mental health care for children and adolescents with suicidality are important considerations.    

To Register

Click on the link to register https://forms.office.com/r/qtitw6WQ2N

Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, the participants should be able to:

• Recognize the risk factors for suicide and signs and symptoms of mental health conditions associated with suicide risk
• Develop skills in talking to parents and kids about suicide
• Discuss ethical considerations that come up in treating suicidal youth