America’s youth are having a mental health emergency. They are more fearful, they are feeling more hopeless, and it’s keeping them up at night. In 2020, the proportion of mental health-related emergency room visits for children ages 5-11 and 12-17 increased by 24% and 31%, respectively.
Parents and teachers have taken notice. So have our nation’s leading experts. In 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health, and in the same year the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national children’s mental health emergency.
In order to turn the curve, we need big thinking and we need big action. NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s virtual Child, Adolescent, and Transition Age Youth Mental Health Conference on June 28 will educate participants on the most urgent challenges facing our youth and provide an action plan that will help transform caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, legislators, and community leaders into mental health changemakers.
The conference is geared toward parents, caregivers, mental health professionals, educators, and students. The schedule includes a keynote speaker, panel discussion, workshops, virtual exhibitor resources, and Continuing Education Credits and Act 48 Credits will be available.
Continuing Education Credits
Psychologists: UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education credits for psychologists. UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program is being offered for 5 continuing education hours.
Licensed/Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LSW/LCSW, LPC, LMFT): This program is offered for 5 hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education accredited school and, therefore, a Pennsylvania pre-approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LPC, and LMFT biennial license renewal.
Mental Health Professionals: Nurses and other health care professionals are awarded 0.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). One CEU is equal to 10 contact hours. Nurses: For attending this program you will receive a Certificate of Attendance confirming 5 hours of continuing education. These hours may be considered eligible for completing the 30 hours of continuing education required for biannual nursing re-licensure in Pennsylvania.
Peer Specialists: This program fulfills requirements for Certified Peer Specialists continuing education.
ACT 48: Educators are awarded 6 credit hours for Act 48. Allegheny Intermediate Unit is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer continuing education credits under Act 48 guidelines. Allegheny Intermediate Unit adheres to the Act 48 Continuing Education Guidelines.