Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist David DeMaso, M.D., chief of Psychiatry of Children's Hospital Boston will discuss a Web-based tool developed to help youth living with depression and other illnesses at the AACAP's Annual Meeting in San Diego. Dr. DeMaso will present, "Depression Experience Journal: A Computer- Based Intervention for Families Facing Childhood Depression" on October 26, 2006 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
For Immediate Release
Oct 10, 2006
Contact:
Denise Espie, Director, Development and Communications, ext. 120, despie@aacap.org
Erin Baker, Communication Manager, ext. 119, ebaker@aacap.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 10, 2006-- Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist David DeMaso, M.D., chief of Psychiatry of Children's Hospital Boston will discuss a Web-based tool developed to help youth living with depression and other illnesses at the AACAP's Annual Meeting in San Diego. Dr. DeMaso will present, "Depression Experience Journal: A Computer- Based Intervention for Families Facing Childhood Depression" on October 26, 2006 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
The Experience Journal, developed by Drs. DeMaso and Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich is an online collection of stories from children, parents, siblings, and health care providers on what it is like to live with specific emotional and physical illnesses. With pictures, narratives, and short movies, the Journal is an evolving, online community.
Designed for individuals looking for insights from other people who have been in situations similar to their own, the Experience Journal serves patients and families. "In the rush to care for the needs of ill youngsters, the impact of their conditions on their families, and even their caregivers, is often forgotten." says Dr. DeMaso. "Given the millions of children facing chronic illness, promoting successful coping is of vital public health importance."
The Experience Journal contains five forums on childhood depression, pediatric heart disease, organ transplantation, inflammatory bowel disease, and pediatric obesity. Journals on ADHD, asthma, deafness and hearing loss, and bereavement are under development. The journals can be viewed at www.experiencejournal.com.
Dr. DeMaso received the 2006 Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation Award for Research in Depression or Suicide for his Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry article, "A Computer- Based Intervention for Families Facing Childhood Depression" on the project.
If you are interested in attending the program and are a member of the media, please contact Erin Baker at ebaker@aacap.org. Others may register for the meeting at www.aacap.org.
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The AACAP Annual Meeting Press Room will be located in the Chicago Room of the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. Press Room hours are Tuesday, October 24-Friday, October 27, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, October 28, 8:00 a.m. to noon. The meeting is open to members of the media and credentialed public relations staff of nonprofit, allied mental health organizations.
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.
