Explore the migration journey through a trauma-informed lens, from understanding traumatic exposures at each stage to navigating the legal complexities that affect young immigrants and their families. This session will equip you with culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches essential for providing effective care to this vulnerable population.

Presented by AACAP’s Child Maltreatment and Violence Committee and Diversity and Culture Committee, this interactive session brings together expert perspectives on the complex intersection of migration, trauma, and mental health care.

As immigration continues to rise, understanding migration-related trauma is no longer optional, it’s essential for providing comprehensive, compassionate care.

Speakers

Balkozar Adam, MD
Missouri University School of Medicine

Lisa Fortuna, MD, MPH, MDiv
University of California, Riverside

Shawn Sidhu, MD
University of California, San Diego

Moderator

Ciara Styles, MD
Talkiatry

This virtual forum offers Early Career Psychiatrists (ECPs) a supportive, peer-led space to explore the often-overlooked challenge of sustaining romantic relationships amid the demands of early medical careers. As ECPs navigate geographic relocations, intense clinical responsibilities, and a deep service-oriented mindset, many experience isolation or guilt when trying to prioritize personal connection. Through storytelling, reflection, and shared lived experience, participants will examine how professional demands intersect with personal milestones, including the pursuit of intimacy and partnership. Drawing on developmental and cultural frameworks, this forum aims to normalize these struggles, foster open dialogue, and help ECPs build practical strategies and peer support networks to promote relational well-being alongside career growth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will explore the unique relational challenges and opportunities encountered during early career stages in psychiatry.
2. Participants will reflect on how professional demands intersect with personal milestones, including seeking romantic partnership.
3. Participants will develop strategies and peer support networks to promote relational well-being.

Speakers

Afifa Adiba, MD
Mid Atlantic Kaiser Permanente

Abishek Bala, MD
Central Michigan University

Caitlin Briggs, MD
University of Kentucky

Join us for a free virtual town hall highlighting AACAP’s latest advocacy efforts at the federal level in support of child and adolescent psychiatrists and the populations they serve. Learn how policies are being shaped to improve mental health care access, workforce development, and funding for essential services. Hear from experts on current legislative initiatives, key wins, and how you can get involved to make a difference in shaping the future of child and adolescent mental health care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe key state and federal advocacy initiatives that support child and adolescent psychiatrists and their patients.
2.  Analyze the impact of recent legislative and policy developments on access to mental health care for children and adolescents.
3.  Identify specific actions you can take to engage in effective advocacy at both the state and federal levels.

Speakers

Tami D. Benton , MD
AACAP President

Melvin Oatis, MD
Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee

Laura Willing, MD
Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee

Alexis Geier-Horan
Chief of Advocacy & Practice Transformation

The Bringing the Village to the Children virtual forum summer lecture series seeks to highlight important topics related to collaborative care and systems-based approaches to improving children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. Each engaging 60-minute session features a thought-provoking panel discussion between a leading child and adolescent psychiatrist and a community expert, followed by live audience Q&A. Together, they’ll explore innovative, team-based approaches to supporting young people’s mental health and emotional well-being.

Be part of the conversation. Be part of the solution.

Lecture 3: Foster Care | July 29, 2025 @ 8:00 PM EDT

Children in foster care often face complex emotional and behavioral challenges. In this session with Dr. Akeem Marsh and Cheryl Beamon, participants will gain insight into how mental health professionals, child welfare agencies, and community organizations can collaborate to meet the unique needs of this vulnerable population.

Lecture 2: Juvenile Justice | July 15, 2025 @ 8:00 PM EDT

This session focuses on the intersection of mental health and the juvenile justice system with Dr. Alicia Barnes and Joey Orduña Hastings. Attendees will learn how cross-sector collaboration—between clinicians, legal professionals, and community advocates—can transform outcomes for justice-involved youth through a systems-based, team-oriented approach.

Lecture 1: Education System | July 1, 2025 @ 1:00 PM EDT

In this opening session, we’ll examine how schools serve as a vital part of the mental health support system for children and adolescents. Dr. Carol Vidal and Dr. Nancy Lever will discuss collaborative care models within educational settings and how educators, mental health professionals, and community partners can work together to improve outcomes.

View all past events in the Virtual Forum archive