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children’s mental health

AI and Mental Health: Innovating Care for Children and Adolescents

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AI

Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health crisis affecting children and adolescents in Los Angeles and Southern California has become increasingly urgent, necessitating innovative approaches to care. In recent years, there has been more exploration of artificial intelligence as it can be applied to mental health. AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines (like computers) designed to think, learn, and perform tasks autonomously by processing vast amounts of data and recognizing patterns. A recent article by McKinsey & Company emphasizes that growing mental health challenges act as a testing ground for innovative AI-driven solutions (McKinsey & Company, 2023). This not only highlights the potential of technology to enhance mental health care but also underscores the importance of specialized support systems for children and adolescents. The Role of …

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Vaping and Children’s Health 2023

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AI

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. What is vaping? Vaping is synonymous with e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) and has increased in popularity over the last decade. According to a description from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): E-cigarettes/vapes are electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol, or mix of small particles in the air. E-cigarettes/vapes come in many shapes and sizes. Most have a battery, a heating element, and a place to hold a liquid. Some e-cigarettes/vapes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or “mods,” do not look like other tobacco products. E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).” Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping.” Big tobacco companies have marketed vaping …

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Physician Spotlight 3: Dr. Daniel Son

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Daniel Son, MD - Psychiatrist

Dr. Daniel Son In today’s physician spotlight we highlight Dr. Daniel Son, one of our newest psychiatrists at the Mental Health Center. Dr. Daniel Son is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in general adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and child/adolescent psychiatry.  About Dr. Daniel Son Dr. Daniel Son is unique in having completed formal fellowship training in both Child & Adolescent and Addiction Psychiatry. He has a particular interest in the treatment of severe mental illness and adolescents with addiction issues. Dr. Daniel Son completed his medical degree at Loma Linda University and completed his Psychiatry residency and fellowships at the University of Louisville. He focuses on providing thorough diagnostic interviews and providing medication management services.   Dr. Daniel Son has experience treating patients in a variety of different settings including in-patient, residential, and outpatient substance abuse treatment centers. He has worked in hospital settings, including Kaiser Permanente of Southern California where he …

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Physician Spotlight 2: Dr. Candyce Deloatch

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AI

Dr. Candyce DeLoatch In today’s physician spotlight we highlight Dr. Candyce DeLoatch, a psychiatrist at the Mental Health Center. Dr. Candyce DeLoatch is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in general adult psychiatry and child/adolescent psychiatry. She is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.  About Dr. Candyce DeLoatch Dr. Candyce DeLoatch received her undergraduate education at the University of Maryland College Park and her medical school training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She completed both residency and fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She also received advanced training in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Candyce DeLoatch has worked in a variety of settings seeing many patients with diverse backgrounds, severe mental and medical illnesses, and differing socioeconomic statuses, covering ages extending from early …

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Supporting Children’s Mental Health

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AI

By Ashley Barnes, M.S.   Mental Health Concerns in Children   Though many people reflect on childhood as being a care-free time, children are not immune to mental health concerns that plague adults. Some of the most common mental health concerns in children include:   Anxiety: The CDC reports that about 9% of children aged 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety; still, this doesn’t even reflect all children who struggle with anxiety, just merely those who have been evaluated and diagnosed (CDC, 2023). Signs of childhood anxiety may include ruminating thoughts, situational avoidance that may impact social engagement or school attendance, and panic attacks. Behavior Problems: Roughly 9% of 3-17-year-olds struggle with behavioral concerns that warrant a formal diagnosis (CDC, 2023). Those who have Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder may disrespect property, engage in harmful acts, or break serious rules. This behavior can be exacerbated by observance …

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