Warren Y.K. Ng, MD, MPH, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University and AACAP’s President shared his expertise to advance our understanding of and our ability to address social determinants of health at the patient and system level. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light longstanding patterns of health inequities. Children and adolescents have been especially impacted by the pandemic with disruptions in education, social isolation, and housing and food insecurities interfering with the acquisition of developmental milestones and positive health outcomes. The impact of social determinants of health and the unequal allocation of resources associated with structural racism have created even greater challenges for our most vulnerable communities. During 2020-2021, The New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative (NJPPC) experienced an increase in referrals of children and adolescents, with the highest number of referrals since program inception, most notably related to concerns regarding aggression, depression, and suicidal ideation. Through the NJPPC and other clinical settings along the continuum of care, psychiatrists have provided critical access to mental health services. As we move beyond the public health emergency, psychiatrists will have the opportunity to lead conversations and inform policies that will reduce disparities and achieve better health outcomes. Listen to these video shorts to hear some highlights from Dr. Ng’s presentation.
This webinar is available for NJPA Members only. If you are a NJ Psychiatrist interested in joining the Association, please contact Jennifer Contorno at jennifer.contorno@njpsychiatry.org
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