Managing Mental Health Concerns in Pediatrics

Jane Meschan Foy, MD, FAAP, has spent more than 35 years in pediatric primary care, public health, administration, and medical teaching. Her special interests include mental health services in pediatric primary care and school settings, access to health care for underserved populations, primary care of children with special health care needs, and residency training in mental health, community pediatrics, and advocacy.Dr Foy received her bachelor of arts from Wellesley College and her doctorate of medicine from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She completed her residency training in pediatrics at University of North Carolina hospitals. She has held several academic positions and is currently professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and medical director of the Northwest Community Care Network (a regional network of North Carolina Medicaid providers). She is active in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), having served as chair of the AAP Task Force on Mental Health from 2004 to 2010 and currently serving as past chair of the AAP National Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; member of the AAP Mental Health Leadership Work Group, and member of the AAP Board of Directors. Roles in other organizations have included the presidency of the North Carolina Pediatric Society (North Carolina Chapter of the AAP) from 1998 to 2000 and cofounder and director of the School Health Alliance for Forsyth County from 1999 to 2011.

Introduction Tab 1. Causes for Concern Tab 2. First Response Tab 3. Next Steps Tab 4. Symptomatic Care -Overview: Pediatric Care of Children With Mental Health Symptoms -Emotional or Behavioral Disturbances in Children Younger Than 5 Years -Anxiety and Trauma-Related Distress -Depressive Symptoms -Disruptive Behavior and Aggression -Inattention, Impulsivity, and Hyperactivity -Learning Difficulty -Medically Unexplained Symptoms -Substance Use