The REACH Institute CEO Lisa Hunter Romanelli, PhD, on AJC school shooting grief

The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s piece, With heavy hearts, Barrow County students return to school, is a somber reminder that the grief, trauma, and anxiety sadly felt now by students all across Georgia occur amidst a critical shortage of pediatric mental health services in the U.S., particularly in underserved areas. Nationally, just 20% of youth with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders receive care from a mental health provider, and wait times for appointments can be measured in years instead of months.

As a clinical child psychologist, it’s devastating to learn a child with mental health issues cannot access treatment they need, want, and deserve. Identifying students who are at risk is critical so that they can be helped before they experience irreversible damage or delay. Our nonprofit is committed to ensuring the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families. We stand ready to help more clinicians and schools in Georgia and across the U.S. receive gold standard mental health training. Children’s lives depend on it. For more information, go to thereachinstitute.org/training.

Lisa Hunter Romanelli, Ph.D.

About the Author

Lisa Hunter Romanelli, PhD is the Chief Executive Officer of the REACH Institute (REsource for Advancing Children’s Mental Health) and a practicing clinical child psychologist with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy. Prior to joining REACH, Dr. Hunter Romanelli was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of School-Based Mental Health Programs at the Center for the Advancement of Children’s Mental Health. Dr. Hunter Romanelli completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center. She earned her PhD from Rutgers University and her BA from Harvard University.