The years 2019-2020 brought to us coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting in an unprecedented global pandemic. Emerging data, historical studies, and expert opinion point to a tremendous impact of COVID-19 on the development and exacerbation of psychiatric issues. This issue is compounded by the fact that access to mental health care services may be limited during this time of crisis. There is a critical need for mental health care providers to be prepared and educated to best serve the psychiatric needs of patients affected, either directly or indirectly, by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are still many questions. What are the psychological consequences of so many people losing their jobs, and so many businesses shutting down? What are some healthy coping strategies for parents to model at home, to protect their children’s mental health during this pandemic? In this CME NEI podcast episode, Dr. McIntyre answers these questions, and much more.

 Optional CME Credits / Certificate Instructions: After listening to the podcast, to take the optional posttest and receive CME credit, click HERE.

 Learning Objectives: After completing this educational activity, you should be better able to:

• Discuss the psychological, economic, and sociological implications that COVID-19 has had on mental health
• Examine the impact of COVID-19 on a variety of mental health issues
• Explore existing and novel strategies for continuing mental health care during a global pandemic such as COVID-19

Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements: The Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

NEI designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. A posttest score of 70% or higher is required to receive CME credit.

 Nurses and Physician Assistants: for your CE requirements, the ANCC and NCCPA will accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Peer Review: The content was peer-reviewed by a PhD-PMHNP specializing in psychiatry to ensure the scientific accuracy and medical relevance of information presented and its independence from bias. NEI takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

 Disclosures: All individuals in a position to influence or control content are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships. Although potential conflicts of interest are identified and resolved prior to the activity being presented, it remains for the participant to determine whether outside interests reflect a possible bias in either the exposition or the conclusions presented.

 Faculty Interviewer / Author

Andrew J. Cutler, MD

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY

Grant/Research: Acadia, Aevi Genomics/Cerecor, Alder/Lundbeck, Akili Interactive, Alkermes, Allergan, Axsome, Biohaven, Daiichi Sankyo, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Lilly, Lundbeck, Neurocrine, Novartis, Otsuka, Sage, Sunovion, Supernus, Takeda, Tris

Consultant/Advisor: Acadia, Adlon, AiCure, Akili Interactive, Alfasigma, Alkermes, Allergan, Avanir, Cognitive Research, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Lundbeck, MedAvante-ProPhase, Neurocrine, Novartis, Noven, Otsuka, Purdue, Sage, Sunovion, Supernus, Takeda, Teva

Speakers Bureau: Acadia, Alfasigma, Alkermes, Allergan, Arbor, Avanir, Gedeon Richter, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Lundbeck, Neurocrine, Otsuka, Sunovion, Supernus, Takeda, Teva, Tris

Faculty Interviewee / Author

Roger S. McIntyre, MD, FRCPC  

Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and of Pharmacology; Head, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network; University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Grant/Research: CIHR/GACD/Chinese National Natural Research Foundation, Stanley Medical Research Institute

Consultant/Advisor: Allergan, Janssen, Lundbeck, Minerva, Neurocrine, Otsuka, Pfizer, Purdue, Shire, Sunovion, Takeda

Speakers Bureau: Allergan, Janssen, Lundbeck, Minerva, Neurocrine, Otsuka, Pfizer, Purdue, Shire, Sunovion, Takeda

 Pre-Interview Author

Sabrina K. Bradbury-Segal, PhD

Medical Writer, Neuroscience Education Institute, Carlsbad, CA

No financial relationships to disclose.

 The Planning Committee and Peer Reviewer have no financial relationships to disclose.

 Disclosure of Off-Label Use: This educational activity may include discussion of unlabeled and/or investigational uses of agents that are not currently labeled for such use by the FDA. Please consult the product prescribing information for full disclosure of labeled uses.

 Cultural and Linguistic Competency: A variety of resources addressing cultural and linguistic competency can be found in this linked handout.

 Support: This activity is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Alkermes.

 Released: July 9, 2020          CME credit expires: July 9, 2023