21 Mental Health Advocacy: A Conversation with AAP President Lee Beers

https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

We always say that “prevention is better than the cure,” but prevention won’t happen if the necessary infrastructures, institutions, and support systems are not in place. Dr. Lee Beers, the new President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognizes this problem and aims to advocate for an integrated approach that can also address the issues that plague our children, particularly those relating to their mental health.

Let’s listen to Dr. Beers to learn how to advocate for mental health services better!

[00:01 - 06:01] Opening Segment

• Welcoming today's guest, Dr. Lee Beers
• Her story as a navy physician

[06:02 - 17:23] Parenting Impacts

• Her memorable 18-month experience as a physician overseas
• Dr. Beers talks about the impact of parenting on infant development
• The challenges of dealing with mental health among children

[17:24 - 29:04] Integrated Behavioral Health

• Dr. Beers breaks down integrated behavioral health
• She talks about the status of mental health in the United States
• Are there enough pediatric mental health providers?
• Is there enough access to quality health care?
• How to advocate for an established mental health support system

[29:05 - 40:27] Accessible Health Services

• Why health services should be accessible in the long-term
• Here’s an old reminder from Dr. Beers that you should hear
• The services that the American Academy of Pediatrics offers

[40:28 - 49:32] Closing Segment

• Dr. Beers’ message for her resident self you should also hear
• Final Takeaways
• The parents’ wellbeing and health are crucial too
• The importance of family support
• Integrated behavioral health
• Delivery of health services
• The place to make a change
• Don’t be afraid to take risks

Tweetable Quotes:

“It’s really important for us to make sure that access to [health] services is sustainable.” - Dr. Lee Beers

“Each and everyone of us has that power to make a change.” - Dr. Lee Beers

Resources Mentioned:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• Through a Different Lens: Examining How We Care for Adolescent-Headed Families
• Improving Mental Health Access for Low-Income Children and Families in the Primary Care Setting
• Healthy Children website
• Pediatric Meltdown episode: Caring for Children in Foster and Kinship Care: Keeping a Trauma-Informed focus with Moira Szilagyi

Email lbeers@childrensnational.org to connect with Dr. Beers. Also, visit https://childrensnational.org/ to learn more about her space.

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