61st Annual Meeting

October 18 - 25, 2014

Workshop 36 (ticket)

Using Social Media Technology to Improve Access, Reduce Stigma, and Increase Mental Health Advocacy

The pervasive use of social media among children and adolescents as a primary means of communication and information acquisition essentially mandates professionals working with youth become at least familiar with the use of such technology. Participants learn the various forms of social media, the trends in social media use at the organizational level toward advocacy for mental health awareness and education, creative methods of social media use at the clinician and practice level to improve access to care and community education. Limitations, obstacles, and pitfalls to avoid in the use of social media in child and adolescent psychiatric settings is discussed.