2.10 Brief Psychotherapy to Address Post–COVID-19 Anxiety Crises in South Bronx: A Pilot Study

Abstract

In low socioeconomic (SE) areas, with disproportionate resources for health care, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health challenges among children and adolescents. The AACAP and the AAP have jointly declared the National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health, highlighting the need for collaborative work to reduce the risk of suicide, depression, trauma, loneliness, and anxiety among youth. A quality improvement study was designed to teach basic psychotherapy tools by psychiatry, pediatric, and family medicine residents/fellows and social workers, in an attempt to decrease utilization of higher level of care.