Ethical and Clinical Considerations During the Coronavirus Era

McGee, Maria E.; Edelsohn, Gail A.; Keener, Matthew T.; Madaan, Vishal; Soda, Takahiro; Bacewicz, Aleksandra; Dell, Mary Lynn

The practice of child and adolescent psychiatry is evolving during an unprecedented global health catastrophe, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) grapple with COVID-19’s enormous medical, educational, social, and economic toll, a mental health crisis is co-occurring. Pre-existing disparities are recognized as contributors to the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial and ethnic minorities.(1) The magnitude of COVID-19’s effects on child and family mental health has yet to be fully revealed. CAPs are in a unique position to address this mental health crisis. CAPs must stay up-to-date regarding federal, state, local, and institutional mandates, regulations, and policies informed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(2) and other public health institutions, while also navigating the ethical dilemmas unique to child and adolescent psychiatry during the coronavirus era.