President's Message, May 2025
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
Colleagues,
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we all recognize the essential role pediatricians play in the mental and emotional health of children and adolescents. Serving as the medical home for our patients and families, we are a trusted source of support, education, diagnostic acumen and honesty in these days where families and teens may feel threatened or worried about government interference in the exam room.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen meaningful progress in awareness, diagnosis, and access to mental health services for young people. While mental health concerns remain common—affecting roughly 1 in 5 children annually—signs of improved support are evident:
Of course, essential work in this arena continues on many fronts. I was recently asked to participate in a panel at my son’s elementary school that centered on educating parents on a program called Wait Until 8th. This initiative is focused on “empowering parents to say YES to waiting for a smartphone” until the end of 8th grade (at least). The panel also included educators, clergy, mental health counselor, District Attorney and State Police. The dialogue and openness of families to learn more about the ramifications of internet use and social media on the developing child/pre-teen was very encouraging. Parents had thoughtful questions and many openly shared with me they had no idea how dangerous providing a smartphone to a young child could be. It was very encouraging to see so many community leaders engaged in supporting this school, its families and children, in addition to parents who are open to new ideas/information to help protect their loved ones.
As we know, changing the tide on mental health for our patients is not one-dimensional. Collaborative discussion/education with parents to responsibly use technology, when age-appropriate, will allow healthy development in the context of physical and mental health for children.
As trusted partners in care, pediatricians are uniquely positioned to guide families through these challenges. By continuing to integrate mental health screening, education, and referrals into routine care, we can help reduce stigma, close care gaps, and provide early, effective support.
Thank you for being a crucial part of this progress—and for your ongoing commitment to the mental wellness of our youth.
Best,
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we all recognize the essential role pediatricians play in the mental and emotional health of children and adolescents. Serving as the medical home for our patients and families, we are a trusted source of support, education, diagnostic acumen and honesty in these days where families and teens may feel threatened or worried about government interference in the exam room.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen meaningful progress in awareness, diagnosis, and access to mental health services for young people. While mental health concerns remain common—affecting roughly 1 in 5 children annually—signs of improved support are evident:
- Diagnoses of anxiety and depression in children aged 6–17 rose by more than 30% from 2009 to 2019, largely due to better recognition and reduced stigma (Ghandour et al., JAMA Pediatrics, 2019).
- Telehealth visits for pediatric mental health increased more than 30-fold from 2019 to 2021 (Verma et al., Pediatrics, 2022), improving access for many families.
- As of 2023, over 65% of pediatricians report conducting routine mental health screenings (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023).
- Encouragingly, more than half of parents now feel comfortable discussing mental health with their child’s primary care provider, compared to just 30% a decade ago (Child Mind Institute Annual Report, 2022).
Of course, essential work in this arena continues on many fronts. I was recently asked to participate in a panel at my son’s elementary school that centered on educating parents on a program called Wait Until 8th. This initiative is focused on “empowering parents to say YES to waiting for a smartphone” until the end of 8th grade (at least). The panel also included educators, clergy, mental health counselor, District Attorney and State Police. The dialogue and openness of families to learn more about the ramifications of internet use and social media on the developing child/pre-teen was very encouraging. Parents had thoughtful questions and many openly shared with me they had no idea how dangerous providing a smartphone to a young child could be. It was very encouraging to see so many community leaders engaged in supporting this school, its families and children, in addition to parents who are open to new ideas/information to help protect their loved ones.
As we know, changing the tide on mental health for our patients is not one-dimensional. Collaborative discussion/education with parents to responsibly use technology, when age-appropriate, will allow healthy development in the context of physical and mental health for children.
As trusted partners in care, pediatricians are uniquely positioned to guide families through these challenges. By continuing to integrate mental health screening, education, and referrals into routine care, we can help reduce stigma, close care gaps, and provide early, effective support.
Thank you for being a crucial part of this progress—and for your ongoing commitment to the mental wellness of our youth.
Best,
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
President, PA AAP
2024-2026
President, PA AAP
2024-2026