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AACAP Applauds Senate for Addressing National Shortage of Children's Mental Health Professionals |
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From American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry applauds Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) for introducing the Child Healthcare Crisis Relief Act in the Senate today. The legislation addresses the national shortage of children's mental health professionals including child and adolescent psychiatrists. The House version of the bill (H.R. 2073) was introduced in late April by Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). The Child Healthcare Crisis Relief Act will increase the number of well- trained mental health professionals by creating educational incentives and federal support for children's mental health training programs. This bill will help remove one of the main barriers to treatment for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. "The legislation will increase this crucial workforce and would thereby provide better access to care. The Federal government has designated 3,543 urban, suburban, and rural localities as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas due to their severe lack of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals to serve children with mental illnesses. "Once the window of early intervention closes, the chance of school failure, substance abuse, job and relationship instability, and involvement in the juvenile justice system increases exponentially. Children's mental health professionals covered under the bill include child and adolescent psychiatrists, developmental, behavioral pediatricians, child psychologists, school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors, psychiatric nurses, social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors. Representing over 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health.
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