21. Mental Health Advocacy: A Conversation with AAP President Lee Beers

We always say that “prevention is better than the cure,” but prevention won’t happen if the necessary infrastructures, institutions, and support systems are not in place. Dr. Lee Beers, the new President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognizes this problem and aims to advocate for an integrated approach that can also address the issues that plague our children, particularly those relating to their mental health.

Let’s listen to Dr. Beers to learn how to advocate for mental health services better!

[00:01 – 06:01] Opening Segment

  • Welcoming today’s guest, Dr. Lee Beers
  • Her story as a navy physician 

[06:02 – 17:23] Parenting Impacts

  • Her memorable 18-month experience as a physician overseas
  • Dr. Beers talks about the impact of parenting on infant development 
  • The challenges of dealing with mental health among children

[17:24 – 29:04] Integrated Behavioral Health

  • Dr. Beers breaks down integrated behavioral health 
  • She talks about the status of mental health in the United States
  • Are there enough pediatric mental health providers?
  • Is there enough access to quality health care? 
  • How to advocate for an established mental health support system 

[29:05 – 40:27] Accessible Health Services

  • Why health services should be accessible in the long-term
  • Here’s an old reminder from Dr. Beers that you should hear 
  • The services that the American Academy of Pediatrics offers

[40:28 – 49:32] Closing Segment

  • Dr. Beers’ message for her resident self you should also hear 
  • Final Takeaways
  • The parents’ wellbeing and health are crucial too
  • The importance of family support 
  • Integrated behavioral health 
  • Delivery of health services 
  • The place to make a change 
  • Don’t be afraid to take risks 

Tweetable Quotes:

“It’s really important for us to make sure that access to [health] services is sustainable.” – Dr. Lee Beers

“Each and everyone of us has that power to make a change.” – Dr. Lee Beers

 

Resources Mentioned:

Email [email protected] to connect with Dr. Beers. Also, visit https://childrensnational.org/ to learn more about her space.

 

If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me at LinkedInFacebook, and Twitter or email me at [email protected]. To learn more about me visit https://www.medicalbhs.com/

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Dr Lia Gaggino

Dr. Lia Gaggino has worked as a pediatrician for over 30 years on the west side of Michigan. During her career as a primary care physician, she has been privileged to care for children and adolescents, and know that their success is closely tied to mental wellness.

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Dr. Lia Gaggino has worked as a pediatrician for over 30 years on the west side of Michigan. During her career as a primary care physician, she has been privileged to care for children and adolescents, and know that their success is closely tied to mental wellness.

Recent Episodes

  • All Post
  • ADHD
  • Advocacy
  • Aggression and Disruptive Behaviors
  • Anxiety
  • Autism
  • Building Better Workflows
  • Depression
  • Genetics
  • healthcare disparities and inequalities
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Medications
  • Mental Health
  • OCD
  • Other
  • Pain
  • Parent/child
  • Physician Well-Being
  • Schizophrenia
  • Sexual Trauma
  • Sleep
  • Social Media
  • Substance Abuse
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Trauma

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