Dr. Vinson Presents at Pediatrics on the Virtual Parkway: Halloween Edition!

On October 31, 2020, Dr. Sarah Vinson presented at Pediatrics on the Virtual Parkway: Halloween Edition––an virtual meeting hosted by the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

In her presentation, “Pediatric Depression and Anxiety in the Age of COVID+,”Dr. Vinson discussed how the pandemic has impacted the child and adolescent population as well as its caregivers. Additionally, she assesses the chief complaints and diagnoses and concludes with resolutions and action items to aid individuals in need of support or direction during this time.

About the Event and Organization

The Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Georgia AAP) Continuing Medical Education (CME) program aims to develop, maintain, and improve the competence, skills, and professional performance of pediatricians and pediatric healthcare professionals by providing quality, relevant, accessible, and effective educational experiences that address gaps in professional practice and improve patient outcomes. Pediatrics on the Virtual Parkway: Halloween Edition strives to meet participants identified educational needs and support their life-long learning with a goal of improving care for children and families. The Georgia AAP is committed to excellence and innovation in education (Source).

African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at Morehouse School of Medicine

On September 28, 2020, Dr. Dawn Tyus, the Director and Principal Investigator of the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center, was awarded a five year 3.5-million-dollar grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help establish The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at Morehouse School of Medicine—an initiative designed to eliminate disparities and promote behavioral health and health equity for Black people.

Recently named the Medical Advisor, Dr. Sarah Vinson, M.D., F.A.P.A. will work alongside key stakeholders, scientists, and educators to create data-driven, transformational systems to help achieve the following identified goals for the CoE:

1. Increase the capacity of [Behavioral Health] systems to provide outreach, engage, retain, and effectively care for Black/African American (B/AA) people.

2. Improve dissemination of up-to-date information and culturally appropriate evidenced- based practices/approaches for B/AA people.

3. Increase workforce development opportunities focused on implicit bias, social determinants of health, structural racism, and other factors that impede high-quality care for B/AA.

4. Increase collaboration between the center and SAMHSA TTA providers, to infuse culturally appropriate information on B/AA people in all SAMHSA-funded TTA Centers.

For more information, visit africanamericanbehavioralhealth.org or email the center info@africanamericanbehavioralhealth.org.

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About the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.

The mental health toll of COVID-19 | Dr. Vinson joins CBS Sunday Morning

According to KFF.org, more than half of Americans believe their mental health has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With prescriptions for antidepressants rising by 14% since the outbreak, Dr. Sarah Vinson believes this these numbers reflect a natural response given the world’s current state of uncertainty.

In her interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Dr. Vinson explores—

• Our reactions to the ambivalent coronavirus outbreak

• The challenges both specialists and patients face as the country’s need for professional help continues to rise

• How individuals experiencing changes in thier mental health should be cognizant of instinctual stress responses versus anxiety and depression disorders

To watch the CBS full segment, click here.

Dr. Vinson elected to The American College of Psychiatrists

Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson was recently elected to The American College of Psychiatrists. Membership to this esteemed organization is limited to approximately 750 psychiatrists who have demonstrated outstanding competence in the field and achieved national recognition in clinical practice, research, academic leadership, or teaching.

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About the American College of Psychiatrists

Founded on May 8, 1963, in St. Louis, Mo., The American College of Psychiatrists (The College) is a not-for-profit honorary association dedicated to providing continuing education to its Members, promoting the latest advances in the specialty, and supporting the highest standards in psychiatry.

The Board of Regents, which is made up of six officers and nine other Board Members, is the executive council of The College. The Board administers all professional and business affairs of the association, and oversees The College's Member-driven committees.

Membership in The College is limited to psychiatrists who have demonstrated outstanding competence in the field of psychiatry, and who have achieved national recognition in one of the following fields: clinical practice, research, academic leadership, and teaching. New Members must be sponsored by Fellows or Members of The College who are personally familiar with their work and career.

To encourage involvement in The College, active Members are expected to attend at least one out of every three Annual Meetings. At age 70, Members may assume Emeritus status, at which point they are no longer required to attend meetings or pay dues.

Learn more at https://www.acpsych.org/home.

Innovating In The Workplace: Supporting Mental Health Of Young People Of Color During COVID-19

This week Dr. Sarah Vinson and number of panelists joined the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and GBH News to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on people of color.

Watch the full video below or follow this link.

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Even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, young people of color in the United States faced daunting challenges, which are significantly highlighted when navigating the workplace. Along with the hope and pride of having achieved a higher education degree, young people of color are faced with increased professional stress, particularly now. At alarming rates, jobs and internships are disappearing and unemployment rates among people of color are increasing. It is no surprise that due to these factors, combined with the impacts of systemic racism, we are seeing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms in people of color.