Behavioral and Mental Health

Studies show that many pediatricians and pediatric trainees feel unprepared to prevent, identify, or treat behavioral and mental health (BMH) problems.

Yet, too many children, adolescents, and young adults today are struggling with these issues, and the prevalence of diagnoses is increasing.

With funding from the ABP Foundation, the ABP is committed to supporting pediatric trainees and practicing pediatricians through:

  • Supporting innovative curricula for education and training
  • Addressing BMH topics through its certification processes
  • Helping pediatricians address BMH in practice
  • Partnering with parents and patient groups
  • Partnering with other interested organizations

ABP Foundation-Funded Projects

The ABP Foundation funds a targeted group of projects to advance the emotional health and resilience of children and their families.

Roadmap Project

The Roadmap Project is a national effort that aims to support the resilience, emotional well-being, and mental health of pediatric patients with chronic conditions and their families. The ABP works with patients, parents, and the Learning Networks Program of the Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence to increase awareness for patients, families, and clinicians and provide ways to help.

BMH Entrustable Professional Activity

The ABP partners with pediatric educators and leaders to develop and pilot test entrustable professional activities (EPAs). EPAs are essential competencies that a medical professional must demonstrate across a range of domains that are essential to the practice of medicine. One of the 17 general pediatrics EPAs focuses specifically on BMH competencies (PDF) for the pediatric resident. The ABP Foundation is planning to study the implementation of the BMH EPA in seven pediatric programs.

Education in Mental Health Improves Patient Outcomes, Well-Being, and Emotional Resiliency (EMPOWER)

The EMPOWER project seeks to improve education and training in mental health for pediatric residents. The project leads from an inclusive framework whereby pediatricians, patients, and parents work together to improve children’s mental health care.

Associated BMH Publications

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