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This page is an AI-assisted Turkish summary of the study presented at the 26th World Congress of Psychiatry. The study belongs to the presenting authors; please refer to the original source when citing it.

EV0261

Strengthening child and adolescent mental health systems through advanced trainee-led community psychiatry initiatives in a lower-middle-income country

STRENGTHENING CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS IN A LOW–MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRY THROUGH ADVANCED TRAINEE-LED COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY INITIATIVES

Under specialist supervision, preventive community psychiatry initiatives led by advanced trainees expanded the reach of a tertiary child and adolescent mental health service and achieved a 50% increase in new family referrals.

The aim of the study is to demonstrate how initiatives led by advanced trainees can expand the reach of a tertiary child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). In this implementation in Sri Lanka, service models were designed by trainees and delivered under specialist supervision, using an interdisciplinary approach integrated into routine care. Five preventive initiatives were implemented: a caregiver burnout management program; home-based parent coaching based on the principles of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI); a mindful eating program for adolescents with obesity, delivered jointly with the hospital nutrition clinic; psychoeducational workshops addressing test anxiety; and community psychoeducation using mass media, role-play, didactic sessions, and interactive sessions. The poster reports high levels of engagement among participating families. Parent feedback collected through focus groups and surveys indicated improved parental coping and increased confidence in implementing behavioral strategies. A 50% increase in the number of new families referred to the service was documented, preventive programs expanded the functional capacity of the tertiary service, and interdepartmental coordination improved. In conclusion, trainee-led community psychiatry initiatives embedded in routine tertiary service delivery and specialist training are presented as a feasible and scalable model for strengthening child and adolescent mental health systems in resource-limited settings.

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