Below is a release on a policy statement appearing in the July issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: Monday, June 29, 2009, 12:01 am (ET)

Many children are going without the mental health services they need. Because of their long-term, trusting relationship with families, pediatric primary care clinicians, including pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are positioned to provide these services. In a new policy statement, “The Future of Pediatrics: Mental Health Competencies for the Care of Children and Adolescents in Primary Care Settings,” the American Academy of Pediatrics outlines the skills and knowledge these clinicians need to recognize mental health problems in children and to provide mental health care or partner with the mental health specialists who do. Changes in residency training programs, continuing medical education, and the financing of mental health care will be needed.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.