Dr. Kate Elkington E-Connects the Dots in Understanding Juvenile Justice and Mental Health

Katherine (Kate) Elkington, PhD, is a Professor of Medical Psychology (in Psychiatry) at Columbia University and a Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Elkington also serves as the Director of the Center for Behavioral Health and Youth Justice, within the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She has over 15 years of research experience in criminal and juvenile legal settings, with expertise in documenting and understanding correlates of mental illness, substance use/disorders, and HIV risk behaviors in highly vulnerable youth. In this episode, Kate discusses the complexities of the juvenile justice system, the importance of understanding the mental health needs of these youth, and the innovative E-Connect screening tools designed to link young people to behavioral health services. Kate also addresses the role of AI in mental health care and the future directions for E-Connect, emphasizing the need for better family involvement in treatment.