A huge thank you to all of our participants!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 13th Annual Children’s Mental Health Conference! Your participation and engagement made the event a tremendous success. We were thrilled to see so many dedicated professionals come together to explore innovative approaches and share insights on enhancing the mental well-being of our youngest community members. Your commitment to empowering communities and improving children’s mental health is truly inspiring. We look forward to continuing this important work together and hope to see you at future events.
Oregon Children's Mental Health Advocate of the Year: Senator Ron Wyden
Pictured above: Dr. Kirk Wolfe with Grace Stratton, Metro Field Director, Accepting the Oregon Children's Mental Health Advocate of the Year 2024 on behalf of US Senator Ron Wyden
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist of the Year: Naomi Fishman, MD
Pictured above: OCCAP President Dr. Nikhil Rao presenting 2023 Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist of the year to recipient Dr. Naomi Fishman
With youth suicide as the #2 cause of death in Oregon youth and Oregon teens having the highest % of MDE and substance use in the US (per MHA), Oregon has needed great advocates in children’s mental health. OCCAP started the Oregon Children’s Mental Health Advocate of the Year award in 2002, with then Oregon Senator Kate Brown our first award winner. Subsequent award winners have included then US Senator Gordon Smith (including the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act providing youth suicide prevention funding to states across the country), pediatricians, youth and family organizations, legal representatives, state legislative representatives, Lines for Life in 2020, and OHA’s Ebony Clarke last year. These partnerships make all of our efforts with Oregon youth and families more effective.
Perhaps our greatest advocate is this year’s award winner, US Senator Ron Wyden. Senator Wyden has been advocating for Oregonians on a national level for more than 40 years, including both the US House and Senate. He serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Senator Wyden’s efforts have not only been game-changers, but more importantly LIFE CHANGERS AND LIFE-SAVING. These have included:
*** The $1.6 million funding to Lines for Life to further develop its Youth Line
*** Strengthened access to mental health care through Medicaid, which covers half of all children in the US
*** Introduced the Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act to ensure Medicaid and Medicare plans treat mental and physical health care equally
*** Announced a new Medicaid program to help school districts get youth more of the mental health help they need
*** Helped introduce the Equality Act, a bill to ensure full federal non-discrimination equality by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to other protected classes in existing federal laws.
*** Helped secure legislation to improve our environment, critical to the health our youth and families
*** Helped provide grant money to Oregon to fight human trafficking
In summary, US Senator Ron Wyden has distinguished himself in playing a critical role in helping to save lives of Oregon youth, improved the health of youth and families, and dealt with a number of key DEI issues for youth and families, locally in Oregon, and on a national level. He is both a LIFE CHANGER AND LIFE SAVER of youth in Oregon and nationally.
Dr. Kirk Wolfe
OCCAP president, 2001-2
Oregon Advocacy Liaison and Delegate to AACAP, 2002- present
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Naomi Fishman has been awarded the Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist of the Year for her outstanding dedication and service as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Naomi has tirelessly worked with some of the most challenging cases, focusing on children with comorbid neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders at Albertina Kerr.
Naomi’s journey at Albertina Kerr is marked by her exceptional diligence and unwavering commitment. Two years ago, she was recommended to succeed the previous Medical Director, a testament to her significant leadership skills and impactful work. Since then, Naomi has demonstrated remarkable leadership, guiding Kerr through the pandemic’s challenges, particularly within the Subacute unit and residential facilities. Her efforts have been crucial in maintaining these vital services for the state’s most vulnerable youth.
In addition to her work at Kerr, Naomi has played a pivotal role at OCCAP, showcasing her leadership and dedication to advancing children’s mental health. Her ability to lead, inspire, and support her colleagues and patients alike makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Congratulations, Naomi, on this well-deserved recognition of your exceptional contributions to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry!
Some highlights from this year's event
Be sure to check out the pictures from this year’s event to relive the memorable moments and see the highlights of our engaging presentations and networking opportunities. We look forward to continuing this important work together and hope to see you at future events.
Empower Communities: Leveraging Community for Kids' Mental Health
OCCAP’s 13th Annual Children’s Mental Health Conference, where we invite mental health professionals to join us in exploring innovative approaches to enhance the well-being of our youngest community members. This year’s theme, “Empower Communities: Leveraging Community for Kids’ Mental Health,” underscores the crucial role that collaborative community efforts play in supporting the mental health of children.
Keynote Speaker: David Rettew, MD
Join us for a captivating keynote by David Rettew, MD, where he discusses Positive Psychiatry in children’s mental health. David, an expert in Positive Psychiatry, will guide us through the innovative strategies embedded in Positive Psychiatry that empower families and communities. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn directly from David and engage in a thought-provoking Q&A session, gaining invaluable insights into enhancing the well-being of our youngest community members.
Special Guest Speaker: ACCAP President Tami Benton, MD
Dr. Tami D. Benton, MD, is a leading Psychiatrist-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. As President of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), she’s committed to fostering diversity in pediatric healthcare and mental health leadership. Dr. Benton specializes in urban underserved communities, advocating for holistic approaches that involve the entire family.
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