The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) asks reporters to help erase stigma associated with mental illnesses during May, Mental Health Month, because children's mental illnesses are common, urgent, and treatable.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Denise Espie, MBA, Communications Director
202.966.7300, Ext. 120
despie@aacap.org
Erin Baker, Communications Manager
202.966.7300, Ext. 119
ebaker@aacap.org
Pediatric Mental Illnesses are Common, Urgent, and Treatable
Washington, D.C. - The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) asks reporters to help erase stigma associated with mental illnesses during May, Mental Health Month, because children's mental illnesses are common, urgent, and treatable.
"'Mental Health Month is a great time for families to talk about mental health because it is a critical part of overall health,"AACAP President Thomas F. Anders, M.D., said.
The AACAP's Web site www.aacap.org offers information through its "Facts for Families" series on symptoms of pediatric mental illnesses, including depression, ADHD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. It also provides guidance on what steps to take if a child or adolescent appears to have a mental illness.
"No one is advocating that parents diagnose their kids. Evaluations can only be performed by a professional like a child and adolescent psychiatrist, but parents should know the warning signs," Dr. Anders said.
The AACAP invites members of the media to show that mental illnesses affect every family. May is a good time to show audiences how pervasive children's mental illnesses are and that early treatment is critical.
The following facts about pediatric mental illnesses were taken from, "Improving the Mental Health & Well-being of America's Children," a fact sheet created by a coalition of allied mental health organizations.
The AACAP encourages members of the media to use its "Facts for Families" series and to interview a local child and adolescent psychiatrist. To coordinate this interview, call Erin Baker, Communications Manager at the AACAP at 202.966.7300 ext. 119.
57th Annual Meeting
October 26-31, 2010
New York, NY
Hilton New York
Call for Papers
The submission deadline for AACAP's Annual Meeting Call for Papers is Tuesday, February 16, 2010 or Tuesday, June 15, 2010 for late New Research Posters. All submissions must be made online. Click here for complete details and to start a submission.
Preliminary Schedule
The Annual Meeting Preliminary Schedule will be available online on June 15, 2010. The Registration Magazine with full program details will be mailed to all members in August. If you would like to be added to this mailing list, please contact Nelson Tejada at ntejada@aacap.org.
Registration
Registration for the Annual Meeting will open in August.
Hotel Reservations
The host hotels for AACAP's 57th Annual Meeting are the Hilton New York and Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. The room block is not open to make reservations for the Annual Meeting and rates have not been confirmed. Check back in February for more information.
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Exhibit and Advertising Opportunities
Interested in exhibiting or advertising at AACAP's Annual Meeting? If so, contact Lindsay Schlauch at 202.966.7300, ext. 104 or lschlauch@aacap.org.
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. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
Our Facts for Families, available free of charge on the AACAP website, provide concise and up-to-date information on a wide array of issues relating to children’s mental health. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, these 88 one-page fact sheets are valuable to anyone raising or working with children. In addition, the AACAP routinely refers the media to expert spokespeople on child and adolescent issues, and sponsors The Campaign for America’s Kids – an initiative designed to fund an Advocacy Institute for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with the goal of mental health for all children.
AACAP Mission: The Mission of the AACAP is the promotion of mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.
