Why Improving Access to Mental Health Care is an Ethical Imperative

Virtual CME Live Activity Webinar

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. CST

1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

Registration Fee Schedule:

      • TAP/ TSPP/ TSCAP Member: $40
      • TAP/ TSPP/ TSCAP Member Resident, Fellow, Medical Student, or Member in Training: $10
      • Non-Member Physician: $60
      • Non-Member Resident, Fellow Member in Training or Medical Student: $15
      • Allied Health Professional: $40
Presented by: Laurel L. Williams, DO

Laurel L. Williams, DO is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. She is the Medical Director for the Centralized Operational Support Hub for the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium coordinating the implementation of a state-wide child psychiatry access network and tele-mental health to youth in schools. Dr. Williams is also the Training Director for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Baylor. Dr. Williams completed both her fellowship and residency training at Baylor College of Medicine in 2004 upon graduation from University of North Texas School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1999. She graduated with a BS in Psychobiology and a Minor in Fine Arts at the University of Southern California in 1994.

Why Improving Access to Mental Health Care is an Ethical Imperative
Mental health conditions and substance use disorders are prevalent among youth and peripartum women, with negative consequences extending across generations. These conditions are treatable and preventable. In response to the national mental health crisis impacting Texas children and families, Texas implemented its own psychiatric access program, drawing on evidence-based models. The program has shown positive outcomes, with a significant number of clinicians/providers and clinics enrolled, and thousands of patients served at no-cost to the patient, the clinician or the clinic.

Educational Objectives
After completing this activity, learners will be able to:

  • Review incidence of mental health disorders in youth and peripartum women.
  • Summarize outcomes for untreated mental health disorders.
  • Describe Access Programs within the Ethical Construct of Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Justice.
  • Describe Texas’ CPAN and PeriPAN Access Projects.
  • Identify barriers to mental health assessment and treatment in your clinical setting.
  • Develop plans for CPAN and PeriPAN utilization to improve patient care within your practice.


Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of psychiatrists in clinical practice.

Planners and Faculty
Laurel L. Williams, DO

Accreditation Statement
PeriPAN/CPAN is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical educational activities for physicians. PeriPAN/CPAN designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA Credit Designation Statement
PeriPAN/CPAN designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
PeriPAN/CPAN does not accept financial support from ineligible companies for CME activities. No one in a position to influence course content has anything to disclose. 

Estimated Time to Complete
1.0 hour, exclusive of breaks