A Note from the CEO: Black History Month

Here at The REACH Institute, we are keenly aware of racial disparities in access to mental health care. Through our scholarships, partnerships, and courses, our mission is to ensure that all children and adolescents have access to the most effective, evidence-based mental health care.

We want to honor this Black History Month by looking specifically at one important and emerging topic: understanding racism as trauma.

REACH faculty member, Brittainy Erby, MD, generously agreed to share what she’s learned with our community.

– Lisa Hunter Romanelli, PhD, CEO of The REACH Institute

Racism as Trauma:

A Pediatric Mental Health Perspective

There is a growing suicide crisis among Black youth. A 2018 study revealed that Black children aged five to 12 are twice as likely to die by suicide as white children. More recent research has shown that suicide rates among Black children and adolescents are rising dramatically, even as overall youth suicidality is declining.

How can clinicians better help Black pediatric patients who are at risk?

That’s the question Brittainy Erby, MD, found herself asking. She knew the alarming statistics but found little practical guidance, especially since Black youth are seldom included in research studies. “As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I didn’t know what it meant for me as a provider. What could I do?”

Dr. Erby set out to find an answer, which she shared with us in our latest mental health blog.

Keep Reading for Full Article

Fully Funded Mental Health Training for Georgia Primary Care Providers: May 3-5, 2024

According to research from the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Black and Latinx children and youth face significant barriers to receiving mental health care in the state.

To help change this dynamic, on May 3-5, The REACH Institute is providing FREE children’s mental health training through our Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) course for primary care providers in Georgia.

The course is open to pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants practicing in the state of Georgia. If you know an eligible provider, please forward this message!

Georgia Providers: Reserve Your Spot!

“It was by far the best training course I have ever attended. After three days of an immersive experience, I felt confident in treating our patients with mental health disorders.”

– Dr. Anu Sheth, The Children’s Care Network, Board Chair,

and Pediatrician in Georgia

REACH in the News

REACH faculty member Rachel Petersen-Nguyen, MD, recently sat down with Psychiatric Times to talk about the ADHD stimulant medication shortage, how the shortage impacts patients and their families, and effective strategies to support them during this crisis.
REACH’s CEO, Lisa Hunter Romanelli, PhD, was interviewed by Mental Health Weekly about the mental health provider shortage and REACH’s work.

Upcoming Trainings

March Mental Health Training: Limited Spots Available: For providers nationally, we have limited spots remaining for our next Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) session on March 8-10. Clinicians can register here before February 29.

New Course Launched: In January, we held the first session of our new Practical Behavior Management in Pediatric Primary Care day-long training. One attendee enthused that “REACH courses keep getting better and better!” Another shared that, thanks to the course, they “will now be able to provide effective tips/tools for parents and patients.” Clinicians can register online for the next session, which will be held on August 23.

PPP Scholarship Applications Close March 4

To help address mental health inequities, REACH is offering fully funded scholarships to primary care providers serving diverse and low-income communities to take our Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) course. Learn more about the program and apply here before March 4.

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