Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

Domestic

Location

Online

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

This reflection explores my work with the National Network of Child Psychiatry Access Programs (NNCPAP), a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to pediatric mental and behavioral health services. As Network Coordinator and Youth Voice, I supported initiatives that strengthen Child Psychiatry Access Programs (CPAPs), which connect primary care pediatricians with mental health professionals to improve diagnosis, treatment, and confidence in addressing children’s mental health needs. My projects included facilitating collaborations between CPAPs and pediatric residency programs to integrate mental health training early in medical education, as well as contributing to sustainability efforts by researching alternative funding models. This experience illuminated both the enabling power of national collaboration among pediatricians and the constraints imposed by reliance on federal funding. On a personal level, the internship reshaped my academic trajectory from biochemistry to neuroscience, deepened my understanding of the intersections between public policy and healthcare, and strengthened my commitment to addressing the child mental health crisis through systemic change.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.