April Mental and Behavioral Health Roundup

New, Animated “Introduction to Autism” Video Series For Families

Seattle Children’s Autism Center and Patient Family Education team have published a new video series about autism spectrum disorder that delivers science- and evidence-based information in an accessible format to support families and caregivers of individuals with a recent autism diagnosis or waiting for diagnosis. The first two videos describe what a medical diagnosis of autism is, and how to get a diagnostic evaluation at a Washington Center of Excellence – they are available now on YouTube and on Seattle Children’s Autism Center website. Six more videos will launch in the coming months, and videos will be translated into Spanish and other languages. The series is made possible through the generous support of Wizards of the Coast.

Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Survey Responses Requested

Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine are seeking feedback from community providers on the referral process for patients with externalizing behaviors to help develop data-driven, community-focused improvements. Please consider completing the survey. Your honest perspective is vital to ensuring our future recommendations meet the needs of our partners and patients – thank you for your time and candor.

Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Research Summit

On May 13, Seattle Children’s Research Institute will host the second annual Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Summit, focusing on suicide and self-harm prevention with discussions led by experts in mental and behavioral health research. The summit will highlight research exploring new discoveries and proven interventions designed to save youth lives. We welcome researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, students and community members to the conversation.

The day will also feature a keynote presentation from Jeff Bridge, PhD, director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's. Learn more and register by Thursday, April 30.

The Boyhood Crisis: Raising Thriving Young Men in a Changing World

ParentEd Talks, sponsored by Seattle Children’s, explores pressing topics parents are navigating today from youth mental health to the impact of technology and more. Wednesday, April 22, ParentEd Talks features Richard Reeves, author and president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, who breaks down what’s driving this quiet crisis and what parents can do right now to help their boys build confidence and resilience. Consider sharing this event with your patients and families.

Dr. Evans Shares the Risks of Kids Using AI Chatbots for Mental Health and Emotional Support

ParentMap features Dr. Yolanda Evans, division head of Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children's and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, offering tips on how to talk to kids and teens about chatbots and the importance of getting real, human-powered help for mental health and emotional support.