The sixth annual Child and Adolescent Psychiatry symposium was held on September 18th at the old Trump Pavilion. Guest speakers included, Leah Barrett from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Dr. Ulrich Vieux, Medical Director of Children’s Community Mental Health Services at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, Dr. Linda A. Reddy member of the American Psychological Association and the Task Force on Violence Against Teachers. The event was a success, over 140 physicians, healthcare professionals and community advocates were in attendance.
The general topic of discussion was violence in the school system: what do we know? Each speaker spoke passionately about their findings and kept the audience absorbed in the conversation. Dr. Vieux spoke on cultural sensitivity in relation to behavioral problems in youth. Ms. Leah Barrett reported that there has been an increasing trend in the students’ belief that owning a gun does not make them safer. Dr. Reddy presented the alarming fact that teachers are more likely to be victims of injuries than are students.
The speakers requested of everyone to keep in mind that all communities are affected by youth violence. Violence can come in the form of physical abuse from peers, cyber-bullying and verbal abuse. Steps a community can take to decrease violence in schools include serving as mentors at schools or youth organizations, promoting youth violence prevention strategies and promoting the strengths of young people.
The symposium was overall a great accomplishment. The department of psychiatry at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center seamlessly coordinated an impressive and educational event .We look forward to next year.