Week3 reply

Part 1: How might task-sharing models that train primary care providers and school staff to deliver brief interventions expand access to care, and what risks could arise if training or supervision is not adequate?

Part2: Give a positive feedback to each of the post. Each feedback separate and at least one or two paragraph per reply.

Post 1 Jerricka: One critical resource needed to address the mental health needs of the pediatric population is increased funding to expand services and improve access, especially for children from lowincome families. Strengthening access means ensuring that mental health support is available in the settings where children already receive care. Integrating behavioral health services into pediatric primary care and school environments can reduce barriers and normalize early helpseeking. Yonek et al. (2020) highlight that many adolescents feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns with their primary care providers, and parents often share this comfort. Implementing routine screening tools in schools can also support early identification and timely intervention. This is especially important because children from racial and ethnic minority groups, lowincome households, and those without insurance remain the least likely to receive needed treatment. When mental health needs go unrecognized or untreated during childhood and adolescence, the longterm consequences can include greater psychosocial impairment, increased risk of substance use disorders, higher suicide risk, physical comorbidities, and greater healthcare utilization across the lifespan (Yonek et al., 2020).

Another essential resource is investment in the pediatric behavioral health workforce. The current shortage of child mental health providers significantly delays treatment and places additional strain on families and clinicians. According to the AACAP (2024), the gap between the demand for services and the availability of qualified providers is staggering, with only 14 child and adolescent psychiatrists per 100,000 children nationwide. Overall, the United States has less than onequarter of the behavioral health workforce needed to meet current demands, with even greater disparities between urban and rural communities. Expanding and supporting this workforce is crucial to improving timely access to care and reducing the burden on families seeking help.

Describe one strategy at the local, state, national, or international levels to expand access to care.

A key nationallevel strategy to strengthen pediatric mental health care has been the implementation of President Bidens Bipartisan Safer Communities Act alongside the American Rescue Plan, which together provide funding for the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) program (Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [ASPA], 2022). This program allows pediatric primary care providers to consult virtually with child mental health specialists, improving their ability to diagnose, manage, and appropriately refer children with behavioral health concerns. Funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act also supports program expansion and offers technical assistance to grantees, enabling broader development of behavioral health services across pediatric practices, schools, and emergency departments, including schoolbased health centers (ASPA, 2022). These efforts aim to increase access, enhance coordination, and ensure that children receive timely, developmentally appropriate mental health care.

Discuss the potential repercussions that may occur if these mental health needs are not addressed.

When mental health concerns in childhood or adolescence go untreated or only partially treated, the longterm consequences can be significant. Yonek et al. (2020) note that these early unmet needs are linked to greater psychosocial impairment in adulthood, higher rates of substance use disorders, more physical health problems, increased suicide risk, and greater overall healthcare utilization across the lifespan. Over time, this places a much heavier financial burden on communities, especially compared to the far lower cost of providing early, effective intervention and treatment.

Describe one strategy to improve preparedness to address mental health concerns in future public health emergencies.Identify who should be involved.

One way to address this growing gap in pediatric mental health care is to reduce barriers for students and trainees entering the youth behavioral health workforce. Expanding the pipeline of qualified providers is essential, but so is extending the reach of existing specialists. This can be achieved through collaborative care models, consultation networks, and ongoing training for allied professionals and community members who regularly interact with children, such as pediatricians, teachers, clergy, and peer support specialists (AACAP, 2024). A coordinated, integrated approach to care offers the greatest potential for improving early identification, intervention, and longterm outcomes for young people.

References

Yonek, J., Lee, C. M., Harrison, A., Mangurian, C., & Tolou-Shams, M. (2020). Key Components of Effective Pediatric Integrated Mental Health Care Models: A Systematic Review. JAMA pediatrics, 174(5), 487498.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2024). Workforce issues in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. (2022, July 29). FACT SHEET: BidenHarris administration announces two new actions to address youth mental health crisis. The White House.

Post2 James: According to Racine et al. (2021), the rates of childhood depression and anxiety experienced a significant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the need for resources in pediatric patients has grown significantly to maintain mental health and well-being. As healthcare providers, we must consider appropriate resources, strategies, and potential outcomes related to the increased prevelance of these conditions in our pediatric population. Long-term effects of on-going anxiety and depression can produce negative outcomes and impact the future mental health and well-being of these patients as they grow and develop; therefore, appropriate intervention is critical to maximize positive outcomes and mitigate negative effects.

Resources to address mental health needs of pediatric population

As mental health concerns continue to rise in the pediatric population, the need to utilize available resources to maximum potential is critical to improve outcomes and address the growing mental health crisis amongst pediatric patients. One approach is to maximize the early screening and recognition in pediatric offices to improve appropriate referral and treatment (Anyigbo et al., 2024). Pediatric offices are often the first contact with this vulnerable population, and they serve as a valuable resource to recognizing mental illness; however, it is necessary to ensure these offices are appropriately educated and comfortable using necessary screening tools and making referrals to appropriate psychiatric providers. Additionally, it can be beneficial to explore available community resources such as financial assistance, transportation assistance, and support groups to maximize outcomes within the pediatric population. (Anyigbo et al., 2024; Sorter et al., 2023). When considering community supports, it must also be considered if there is appropriate access to care such as available pediatricians, psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioners, and therapist who can treat and manage the needs of the pediatric population (Sorter et al., 2023). The influence and impact of available community resources can greatly improve pediatric outcomes in mental health.

Expanding access to health care

When considering approaches to improve access to care, it is important to explore full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). In my state, Tennessee, we are a restricted practice state which greatly restricts practice of APRNs contributing to challenges in access to health care. According to Johnson et al. (2025), states with restricted practice should consider full practice authority as this increases access to health care and improving overall health outcomes due to greater availability to receive care from a qualified provider. By allowing APRNs to practice to the full extent of their scope and training, access to health care concerns can be addressed by increased availability, early recognition, and produce more positive outcomes.

Repercussions if mental health needs are not addressed

When mental health needs of children go unaddressed, a variety of repercussions can occur that can have effects on the outcomes of individual mental health as well as effects on the community. When mental health needs are not addressed early, ongoing and reoccurring stress, anxiety, and depression can result in long-term problems in adulthood. These issues may be harder to address if they have been persistent and continuous since childhood. These persistent mental illnesses can result in an inability to function in society and everyday life as coping skills may be poor for individuals who have experienced long-term, persistent mental illness. Additionally, the individuals may require more support from the community and available resources which may diminish or deplete the available resources within the community. It is important to recognize that long-term, untreated mental illness can result in worsening mental illness in adulthood that may be more challenging to effectively manage and treat.

Addressing mental health concerns in future public emergencies

When considering appropriate responses, it is important to develop a plan for response to other emergencies that may arise. An effective and well-developed plan assist in appropriately addressing concerns that may occur related to public health emergencies. To improve preparedness in addressing mental health concerns in future public emergencies, communities can develop debriefing strategies allowing individuals to access mental health providers and providing support for the emergent situation. By providing immediate support, this can help individuals process information effectively and efficiently by developing appropriate coping strategies and discussing potential responses with qualified professionals within the community.

References

Anyigbo, C., Beal, S., Lee, J., & Gottlieb, L. (2024). Addressing mental health and social needs in tandem to promote equity. Pediatric Clinical North America, 71(6).

Johnson, A., Zaniletti, I., Miller, J., Popejoy, L., & Rantz, M. (2025). Solution to improve state health outcomes and access to care for medicare beneficiaries: Full practice of APRNs. The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, 26(6).

Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021) Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during COVID-19:A meta-analysis.JAMA Pediatrics, 175(11), 11421150.

Sorter, M., Stark, L., Glauser, T., McClure, J., Pestian, J., Junger, K., & Cheng, T. (2023). Addressing the pediatric mental health crisis: Moving from a reactive to a proactive system of care. Journal of Pediatrics, 265.

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