About Us

The AIAP is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of adolescent and young adult (AYA) mental health. It focuses on improving the mental health care and treatment of AYAs through professional education, research, public education and advocacy. The AIAP provides training programs, workshops, and seminars for mental health professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge in treating adolescent patients. It also promotes research into AYA mental health issues, supports policies that improve access to mental health services for young people and education of the public on the importance of AYA mental health care. By fostering a community of professionals committed to adolescent psychiatry, the AIAP aims to improve outcomes for adolescents facing mental health challenges.

The establishment of a new organization dedicated to providing education and advocacy on AYA mental health for primary care and other health care providers and the public is critically needed. Despite growing awareness, significant gaps in understanding about AYA mental health issues persist within the professional community and among the public.

Overall, while there are efforts to improve the education of psychiatrists and PCPs regarding the mental health needs of AYAs, gaps remain. The following initiatives, undertaken by AIAP, can enhance this education:

Interdisciplinary Training: Promote interdisciplinary training opportunities that involve collaboration between primary care and mental health professionals.
Expanded CME: Increase the availability and accessibility of CME programs focused on AYA mental health.
Certification: Encourage American Board of Adolescent Psychiatry certification
Institutional Support: Encourage healthcare institutions to prioritize mental health training and provide resources for ongoing education.
Research and Evaluation: Conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of current training programs and identify best practices for educating PCPs and other health care providers about AYA mental health.

By addressing these areas, AIAP can better prepare PCPs and other health care providers to meet the mental health needs of AYAs more effectively.

The establishment of a new organization dedicated to providing education and advocacy on AYA mental health for primary care and other health care providers is critically needed. Despite growing awareness, significant gaps in understanding and support persist within communities.