School Mental Health: Treating Students K-12

Students of all ages continue to struggle with increased mental health issues since the pandemic. The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory in late 2021 warning of the stress-related effects on youth of gun violence, climate change, social conflict, racism, bullying, and digital media. A second advisory in 2023 focused on the "increasing concerns among researchers, parents and caregivers, young people, health care experts, and others about the impact of social media on youth mental health." In the midst of such an ever-changing environment it is critical for those who work with school-aged youth to stay current with the latest knowledge and skills that will enhance the emotional well-being of students.

Our popular course is designed to offer participants practical strategies that address these relevant issues through a mix of lectures, case studies, interactive panels, and Q&A. Topics will encompass social media, youth anxiety, social-emotional learning, ADHD, autism, climate change, marijuana, risk assessment for youth extremism, and lived experience of the mental health effects of familial substance abuse and being an athlete.

Participants will take away the latest clinical information and practical skills based on emerging research, evidence-based practice, and innovative learning strategies. We welcome all mental health and health clinicians, educators, school administrators, researchers, and others interested in the development and treatment of school-aged children and adolescents.

Who Should Attend

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Social workers
• Counselors
• Family Therapists
• Psychologists
• Nurses
• Other

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Summarize the latest data on youth social media use and its effect on mental health.
• Outline an evidence-based program to reduce anxiety and OCD in children and adolescents via changes in parental behaviors.
• List strategies to promote friendship-building among digital native children.
• Review key concepts presented in previous years of this conference.
• Differentiate clinical characteristics of ADHD and its common comorbidities.
• Discuss the intersection of autism and gender fluidity, and the pharmacological management of common symptoms.
• Explore how clinicians and educators can support the mental health of athletes and other performers.
• Summarize the current demographics of marijuana use in youth, and how to effectively advise them on risks/benefits.
• Describe ways to effectively communicate with kids and address their concerns about climate change.
• List practical strategies for promoting emotionally regulated students.
•  Review how youth become attracted to extremist ideologies, and effective preventive measures for teachers and parents.
• Discuss how substance abuse within families can affect the mental health of children.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
•  Medical Knowledge 

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Questions?

Please contact the Continuing Education Programs with any questions by email at learn@hms.harvard.edu.

Erin Belfort, MD

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program Director, Maine Medical Center
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine

Myrieme Churchill, MEd

Executive Director, Parents for Peace

Peter Daniolos, MD, DFAACAP

Psychiatrist, Outpatient Child and Adolescents Division, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Part-Time, Harvard Medical School 

Kathlyn Elliott, PhD

Research Associate, Boston Children's Hospital
Instructor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Alani Goins

Student, Harvard University

Alex Hirshberg, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist and Founder, Hirshberg Behavioral Health Services

Jonathan Jenkins, PsyD, CMPC

Clinical Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant

Josephine Kim, PhD, LMHC, NCC

Senior Lecturer on Education and Director, Counseling Program, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Eli Lebowitz, PhD

Director, Program for Anxiety Disorders and Associate Professor, Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine

Sharon Levy, MD, MPH

Chief, Division of Addiction Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital
Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Susan Linn, EdD

Research Associate, Boston Children's Hospital
Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Laura Marciano, PhD

Research Associate, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness

Carolyn McGrath, MFA

Visual Arts Teacher, Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, NJ
Chair, Climate Psychology Alliance of North America's Educators and Counselors Committee

Roberto Olivardia, PhD

Clinical Associate in Psychology, McLean Hospital
Lecturer on Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Part-Time, Harvard Medical School

Dominic Sheeks

Student, Harvard University

John Stewart, PhD

Psychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Tufts School Medicine

Ivy Watts, MPH

Mental Health Empowerment Speaker

Sara Whitcomb, PhD

Associate Director of Research and Evaluation, Boston Children's Neighborhood Partnerships Program
Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School

Course Directors

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.

Nancy Rappaport, MD

Consultant, School-Based Programs, Cambridge Health Alliance
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Part-Time, Harvard Medical School

Christopher Willard, PsyD

Psychologist and Educational Consultant
Teaching Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Karen Kuc, MPH

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 14.00 continuing education credits.

Social Workers

This program has been approved for a total of 14.00 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approval Program Authorization Number D92813. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 14.00 contact hours.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 14.00 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 14.00 credits.

Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions, for LMFT professional continuing education. Certification # PC-042461 for 14.0 contact hours. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.   

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present and sign in on both days to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Canadian Accreditation

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

European Accreditation

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found here.

Disclosure Policy

In accord with the disclosure policy of the Medical School as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), course planners, speakers, and content reviewers have been asked to disclose any relationships they have to companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. In addition, faculty have been asked to list any off-label uses of pharmaceuticals and/or devices for investigational or non-FDA approved purposes that they plan to discuss.

Disclaimer

CME activities accredited by Harvard Medical School are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of certification of competency. Practitioners should always consult additional sources of information and exercise their best professional judgement before making clinical decisions of any kind.

Note: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is calculated based on submission of a preliminary agenda and may be subject to change.

Hotel Reservations

Fairmont Copley Plaza
138 St. James Avenue
Boston, MA 02116

A block of rooms for the nights of February 6th, 7th, and 8th 2025 has been reserved at the hotel for this event, under the group name Cambridge Health Alliance.  

All reservations must be made, modified, or canceled individually through the hotel’s Reservation Department via this link (https://book.passkey.com/go/CHASchoolMentalHealth2025) or by calling 1-800-441-1414 and referring to Group Name. Reservations for rooms accessible to guests with disabilities may be made in the same manner. Reservations must be made on or before January 13, 2025 to guarantee the CHA group rate.  

Hotel confirms the following guest room rates per night:

• $199 Moderate Room
• $209 Fairmont Room (Single or double-bedded)
• $249 Deluxe Room  

Guest room rates are exclusive of applicable taxes and service fees.