12.5% of Virginia children have had at least one major depressive episode
Virginia Mental Health Access Program
Virginia ranks 47th lowest in US for mental health care for kids under 18 years old
VIRGINIA MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM
THE PROBLEM:
Virginia children cannot access the mental health services they need.We suffer from a severe shortage of child psychiatrists- only two counties have sufficient numbers of child psychiatrists. Over half the counties do not even have one child/adolescent mental health professional. 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental disorder & 1 in 10 suffers from a serious mental health problem. The majority of these children have nowhere to go for help.
THE SOLUTION:
Provide more children with mental health services by expanding the existing workforce. With the severe shortage of these services, we must make them available in places where children already access health care. The VMAP will do this by giving providers the training and tools they need to serve children with mental health needs. This program will ensure that more children have access to providers who are better able to screen, diagnose, manage and treat mental health.
WHAT IS VMAP?
A statewide mental health access program specifically for children designed to give children’s health care providers access to child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and care coordination
Once fully implemented, the VMAP will consist of 5 regional teams that each have their own psychiatrist, psychologist/social worker, and care coordinator
Every region will have a centralized program director, program manager and medical director
Providers will have access to a phone number, website, and telephone/video consults with their regional VMAP teams.Care coordinators will identify regional mental health resources for children who need them
30 other states have already seen success with similar programs and increased the mental health services available to their children
WHAT CAN THE STATE DO?
VMAP has received three separate grants and has partners and supporters throughout the state committed to helping children get the treatment they need. The program is already providing services in some regions. The $1.23 million allocated in the Governor’s budget will get VMAP off the ground and enable it to fully expand statewide.
For more information regarding the Virginia Mental Health Access Program, please visit www.vmap.org.
VMAP Mental Health Educational
Opportunities for Primary Care Providers
Pediatricians, Family Practice Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants
Click on any of the sessions above for more information or to register
*VMAP is funded and operated through the Pediatric Foundation of Virginia, Inc.
