Depression & Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

Event Description

All children have worries and fears from time to time. Whether it's the monster in the closet, a test at school, or making the team at school, kids have things that make them anxious, just like adults. But sometimes anxiety in children crosses the line from normal everyday worries to a disorder that gets in the way of the things they need to do. It can even keep them from enjoying life as they should. 

Childhood depression is a serious problem. Children and teens who have depression feel sad and blue, even hopeless. We all have times when we feel sad and blue. However, when a child feels this way for more than 2 weeks in a row, it becomes a medical problem. This workshop will address the relevant issues regarding anxiety and depression and provide the participants with a guide to understanding them individually.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to recognize common signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety problems and how they might impact a child/adolescent’s functioning.
2. Participants will become familiar with how to screen for suicidal thinking and behavior and be able to provide initial support.
3. Participants will be able to understand evidence-based treatment or therapy strategies to treat depression and the most common anxiety disorders.
4. Participants will be able to identify resources for parents, healthcare providers, school personnel and child welfare staff.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Matthew Wassom, PhD

Photo courtesy of Katie's Way Manhattan.  

Dr. Wassom is a Licensed Psychologist and graduate of The University of Kansas with a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Health and Rehabilitation. Dr. Wassom completed a fellowship in child and pediatric psychology at Children’s Mercy-Kansas City and joined the medical staff at Children’s Mercy in 2009. He served as Clinical Director at Children’s Mercy within the Division of Gastroenterology and provided clinical services across a range of clinical areas in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences. He has specialty experience in treating general behavioral pediatrics, elimination/toileting disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, anxiety disorders, depression and mood disorders, and stress related physical conditions. He has been involved in training and supervision for medical residents, developmental pediatrician fellows, and psychology fellows. Dr. Wassom has published numerous articles in professional journals and books and has been a presenter for regional and national conferences.

**************************************************************************

Continuing education credit for this event is co-sponsored by Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center and Via Christi Hospital - Manhattan. Continuing education (CE) credit is awarded at the completion of the workshop. No partial credit is available. Please have license number available at workshop sign-in. 

Via Christi Hospital has approved this course offering for 2.0 contact hours applicable for RN or LPN  re-licensure through the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

This course offering is approved by Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center for 2.0 contact hours applicable for SW licensure through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.