If you’ve ever tried to schedule a behavioral health appointment for your child, you likely know the wait can be longer than expected – even months. But did you know there’s a major shortage of child psychiatrists nationwide? In fact, there are roughly 850 child psychiatrists in Texas serving seven million children.

On this episode of Raising Joy, we’re talking about solutions with Gunit Kahlon, M.D., and Nanette Allison, D.O., who lead Fort Worth’s first Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship program at JPS Health Network. 

The program, which includes rotations at JPS Health Network and Cook Children's, aims to increase access to mental health care for children and teens. With the first graduating class now working in Tarrant County, access to timely care and reduced wait times are more than a dream – they’re becoming reality.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• The impact of the shortage of child psychiatrists in North Texas
• How the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship will help reduce wait times for mental health resources
• How the collaboration between health networks stresses the importance of community
• Retaining fellows offers potential growth for mental health services in the future