Cassie + Friends is leading the formation of a new workgroup on Pediatric Rheumatology Mental Health to improve mental health care and outcomes for children with rheumatologic diseases.

The workgroup will be led by:

• Dr. Andrea Knight, Pediatric Rheumatologist, The Hospital for Sick Children + Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Chronic Disease of Childhood
• Dr. Michelle Batthish, Pediatric Rheumatologist, McMaster Children’s Hospital and Co-Chair of the Canadian Rheumatology Association Transition Work Group

Together, Drs Knight and Batthish are seeking to recruit a group of experts and stakeholders to bring diverse and unique perspectives to address gaps in mental health care for children with rheumatologic diseases in Canada.

The goal of the Mental Health Workgroup is to develop strategies to improve research, care and outcomes pertaining to mental health in youth with rheumatologic disease.

Mental Health Workgroup members will include approximately 8-10 individuals with diverse expertise and experience, such as:

• Patients and caregivers (We will be seeking a patient/caregiver co-chair. if interested, please include this in your statement of interest)
• Pediatric rheumatologists and other clinicians
• Mental/behavioural health specialists (e.g., social workers, art/play/child life specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists)
• Adolescent medicine specialists
• Nurses and nurse practitioners
• Mental health researchers

The anticipated time commitment will be one-hour monthly for virtual meetings, and 1-2 hours of additional time for completion of workgroup tasks. Workgroup members will be requested to commit for a renewable 1-year term.

Activities of the Mental Health Workgroup will initially include creation of a vision/mission for the group, performing a needs assessment and identification of high priority areas to addressing mental health in pediatric rheumatology, and development of a plan to address these areas.

Interested in being a member?

Please submit a statement of interest (no more than 250 words) to tell us why you are interested in being part of the Mental Health Workgroup, and what you hope to contribute. You may also include your resume or CV. Please submit your materials by May 15, 2023 to jennifer@cassieandfriends.ca. Please forward this to anyone you know who may be interested!