About the Speaker: Dr. Anna Lau is Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence in the Life Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  Her research spans across the areas of disparities in children’s mental health services, racial/ethnic/cultural variation in risk and protective factors for child mental health problems, and community implementation of evidence-based practices for racially minoritized youth and families. Dr. Lau’s current projects build upon her prior work to implement school-based interventions to support mental health equity for minoritized youth at risk of depression and suicide.  

About the Talk: Racial inequities in youth mental health care are longstanding and persistent. Amid an ongoing youth mental health crisis with service systems completely overwhelmed, racial inequities in unmet need are likely to widen. Dr. Lau will present research that has spanned services research, implementation research, and translational/prevention research designed to reduce disparities in youth mental health in community settings including schools.  It has been relatively easy to document evidence of care disparities in the mental health treatment of minoritized youth, and to identify likely drivers of care disparities. It is the challenge of our times to build an evidence base of strategies that advance equity.  

This presentation targets psychologists, clinicians, school and community stakeholders, trainees, and students, offering content at an intermediate level. The speaker has reported no conflicts of interest or commercial support for this talk.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe examples of racial disparities in the mental health treatment of youth.

2. List multiple drivers of care disparities for racially minoritized youth.

3. Identify evidence-based approaches with the potential for addressing the needs of minoritized youth at risk of depression and suicide.

Continuing Education: One hour of CE credit is available for attendees who are present for the entire program. We ask that all participants complete the given evaluation form at the conclusion of the program. 

The Center for Children and Families is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center for Children and Families maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts CE credit provided by APA providers towards ANCC re-certification. 

This free in-person talk has also been approved for up to 1 CEU credit by Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling; and 1 CE credit by Florida Board of Psychology and Florida Office of School Psychology.  

Provider # BAP 50-12872.