What is it about?

Massachusetts created a program that helps pediatricians get expert support for mental health concerns in children under 6. Early results show it improves access to evaluations and family guidance while relying mainly on therapy and support rather than medication.

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Why is it important?

Mental health challenges often begin in early childhood, yet many young children lack access to specialized care. This program helps identify concerns earlier, supports families and pediatricians, and may improve children's long-term emotional, social, and developmental outcomes.

Perspectives

I am proud to see this work, which has been years in the making, shared with a broader audience. This publication reflects the dedication, collaboration, and persistence of a remarkable team committed to improving access to mental health care for young children and their families. It is gratifying to see our efforts recognized and to contribute a model that may help inform and inspire similar initiatives elsewhere.

Yael Dvir
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Early Childhood: Implementation and Preliminary Usage Data, Psychiatric Services, June 2026, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20250358.
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