CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH
CALL TO ACTION
During our ever-evolving collective circumstances, many youth have returned to school, with a decrease in isolation for many, and also with new anxieties and mental health challenges for some.

The Little Hoover Commission describes the tremendous impact of California’s two current pandemics in its August report on COVID-19 and Children’s Mental Health. This October the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association together declared a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health, and in December, the US Surgeon General issued an Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health. 
 
In this Advisory, Dr. Vivek Murthy specifically recommends supporting integration of screening and treatment into primary care. For example, continue expanding Pediatric Mental Health Care Access programs, which give primary care providers tele-consultations, training, technical assistance, and care coordination to support diagnosis, treatment, and referral for children with mental health and substance use needs.

As of December 31, CAPP has enrolled 148 practices, for a total of over 900 enrolled PCPs across 27 California counties. We have completed over 1200 consults to date, and we are certainly witnessing significant increases in consult complexity, as well as increased use of validated screening tools. We are delighted to share that we are now offering care coordination in follow up to consultation (see below for more details).