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Depression in AYA males continues to be unrecognized, underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed, with personal and relational consequences as well as social and economic costs. The research literature suggests that we can improve our ability to recognize depression in adolescent and young adult (AYA) males by understanding the risk factors for depression in AYA males, considering male-specific symptoms and coping mechanisms that can mask depression, developing tools for assessment that account for male-specific symptoms, and adopting a culturally-sensitive, individualized approach to mental healthcare. The panel will discuss these and other issues.
See PMY's earlier report on Unrecognized Depression in Young Males.
Speakers for this session include:
Hector Colón-Rivera, MD, is a distinguished quadruple board-certified adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatrist in the Pennsylvania medical community. He has broad experience in community-based programs, emphasizing those that help increase access to severe mental illness and substance use disorders treatments in adolescents. He is the Medical Director of the Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc Behavioral Health Program (APM), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Hispanic communities' quality of life through direct behavior and substance use disorder services in the Philadelphia region. APM has functions related to education, health, human services, and community, foster homes, & economic development. Dr. Colon Rivera is also an attending physician at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and UPMC through their telemedicine services.
Barbara Robles-Ramamurthy, MD, is a Board Certified Adult, Child and Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist. She is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health San Antonio, where she also serves as the Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center and the Director of the South Texas Psychiatric Practice Based Research Network. Her clinical work specializes in childhood trauma and she has worked in juvenile detention for several years. She is a medical educator and researcher, and her area of expertise is in promoting justice and mental health equity for historically marginalized communities. Barbara is also the founder of Saagara, a consulting firm assisting child- and family-serving organizations center justice, equity and healing in their services. She is also the founder of Teku, an online community promoting holistic, non-clinical family mental health education and empowerment to parents and caregivers.
Frederick Shegog, Founder/CEO of The Message LLC, inspires, educates, and creates healthy lifestyles for all as a motivational speaker. Dumpster diving, panhandling, and drinking were once everyday activities for Shegog. He was voted as a Philadelphia Region's Black Men Icon of 2020 and was the selected commencement speaker at his graduation. Frederick graduated Summa cum laude from West Chester University. Lastly, Frederick was featured on Fox 29 segment For Goodness Sakes show with Bill Anderson. To learn more about Frederick, visit his website, www.freddyshegog.com
Hernán Carvente-Martinez is the Founder & CEO of Healing Ninjas, Inc. a social enterprise seeking to expand access to health and wellness resources for communities of color and end mental health stigma. He is a Chicano social entrepreneur, community organizer, and leader in the fight to end youth incarceration. Most recently, he worked as the National Youth Partnership Strategist at the Youth First Initiative, a national campaign focused on closing youth prisons and reinvesting that money into community alternatives. Hernan serves on the boards of Community Connection for Youth as well as the Alliance for Youth Organizing. He is also a member of several philanthropic funds that support the leadership of directly impacted communities.
Previously, he worked at the Vera Institute of Justice, where he led efforts to include youth and families in state-wide policy reform efforts around the country. He was awarded the “Spirit of Youth Award” by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the “Next Generation Champion for Change” award by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He has a B.S. from John Jay College. He was also named a 2021 Reebok Human Rights Awardee by the Reebok Foundation.
See PMY's earlier report on Unrecognized Depression in Young Males.
Speakers for this session include:
Hector Colón-Rivera, MD, is a distinguished quadruple board-certified adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatrist in the Pennsylvania medical community. He has broad experience in community-based programs, emphasizing those that help increase access to severe mental illness and substance use disorders treatments in adolescents. He is the Medical Director of the Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc Behavioral Health Program (APM), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Hispanic communities' quality of life through direct behavior and substance use disorder services in the Philadelphia region. APM has functions related to education, health, human services, and community, foster homes, & economic development. Dr. Colon Rivera is also an attending physician at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and UPMC through their telemedicine services.
Barbara Robles-Ramamurthy, MD, is a Board Certified Adult, Child and Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist. She is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health San Antonio, where she also serves as the Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center and the Director of the South Texas Psychiatric Practice Based Research Network. Her clinical work specializes in childhood trauma and she has worked in juvenile detention for several years. She is a medical educator and researcher, and her area of expertise is in promoting justice and mental health equity for historically marginalized communities. Barbara is also the founder of Saagara, a consulting firm assisting child- and family-serving organizations center justice, equity and healing in their services. She is also the founder of Teku, an online community promoting holistic, non-clinical family mental health education and empowerment to parents and caregivers.
Frederick Shegog, Founder/CEO of The Message LLC, inspires, educates, and creates healthy lifestyles for all as a motivational speaker. Dumpster diving, panhandling, and drinking were once everyday activities for Shegog. He was voted as a Philadelphia Region's Black Men Icon of 2020 and was the selected commencement speaker at his graduation. Frederick graduated Summa cum laude from West Chester University. Lastly, Frederick was featured on Fox 29 segment For Goodness Sakes show with Bill Anderson. To learn more about Frederick, visit his website, www.freddyshegog.com
Hernán Carvente-Martinez is the Founder & CEO of Healing Ninjas, Inc. a social enterprise seeking to expand access to health and wellness resources for communities of color and end mental health stigma. He is a Chicano social entrepreneur, community organizer, and leader in the fight to end youth incarceration. Most recently, he worked as the National Youth Partnership Strategist at the Youth First Initiative, a national campaign focused on closing youth prisons and reinvesting that money into community alternatives. Hernan serves on the boards of Community Connection for Youth as well as the Alliance for Youth Organizing. He is also a member of several philanthropic funds that support the leadership of directly impacted communities.
Previously, he worked at the Vera Institute of Justice, where he led efforts to include youth and families in state-wide policy reform efforts around the country. He was awarded the “Spirit of Youth Award” by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the “Next Generation Champion for Change” award by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He has a B.S. from John Jay College. He was also named a 2021 Reebok Human Rights Awardee by the Reebok Foundation.