DPS109 Teaching & Learning Conference 2020

The prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD among school children is rising, and contributes to poor school performance and drop-out in the short term, as well as drug addiction, long term disability, and suicide in the long term.  Despite widespread awareness and advances in treatment for these conditions, they continue to pose seemingly insurmountable challenges for educators, parents and students.  Why are we failing to meet the mental health needs of those we know, love and teach? In this session we’ll examine the physical and emotional signs and symptoms of these illnesses separately, but more importantly, as a cluster and across various sub-types.  We will take a multi-dimensional approach to understanding these illnesses across the life span that includes genetics, family history, brain functioning, and the environment. We will also discuss approaches to treatment and prevention, with emphasis on psycho-pharmacological intervention. The goal is for attendees to gain a deeper understanding of how these illnesses are linked  to enhance their work with children and adolescents with these conditions or those who may be at risk.