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As a Child Life Specialist, I'm always prepared to explain my role and rationalize the need for Child Life interventions in the medical journeys of pediatric patients. Our role is not always easily understood. In fact, Child Life services remain widely unknown around the globe. Awareness of the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients continues to increase, and active areas for growth and use of the field include Asia and the Middle East.

Tuition for all degree and certificate programs in the School of Behavioral Health will be held steady at current rates for the 2021-22 academic year. The decision to hold tuition steady is in direct response to the economic challenges that individuals and families are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have all been navigating loss, disrupted rhythms, and uncertainty in 2020. At the start of shelter-in-place, I cancelled travel plans to be a bridesmaid in a close friend's wedding and attended my first wedding via Zoom instead. That same week, I found out that LLU was going entirely online. This was only the beginning of a new normal.

The Loma Linda University School of Behavioral Health Spiritual Life and Wholeness Committee is announcing a Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Research Conference on November 13 (Friday), from 8:30am-12:00pm! RSVP Join Zoom Meeting

In the USA, there is a well-established correlation between low literacy level and poor health outcomes. Independent predictors of low literacy include poverty and being African-American or Hispanic/Latinx. This, in part, helps to explain the disproportionately high number of chronic conditions and mortality among these groups. To address these persistent health disparities many prevention and lifestyle programs have been developed but often suffer from poor engagement and outcomes among these target groups.

The Department of Psychology has recently approved a new professional concentration in the psychology of religion, which will provide interested students with further knowledge of the theory and literature in this area from the perspectives of both psychology and religion.

Latino immigrants experience disproportionate health disparities, are less likely to participate in lifestyle-related interventions and are less likely to succeed when they do. For the undocumented, these disparities are amplified by less use of healthcare and social services, more social isolation, poor mental health, and increased substance use.

Collective Trauma

Youth from low- and middle-income countries experience mental health burdens and lack the resources necessary to address them. Most evidence-based treatments (EBTs) come from Western countries. As such, interventions that are "imported" from the West may not be a good fit. Building an intervention relevant to the community includes: accounting for local health services, addressing specific problems faced by the community, and reflecting on the feasibility and implementation of interventions.

Are you a second or 1.5 generation Chinese American, between the ages of 25 and 40, who has lived in Southern California? If so, we want to interview you! Our research team is exploring how second and 1.5 generation Chinese Americans navigate multiple cultures and form a bicultural identity. Study results will help professionals promote cultural self-awareness and resilience for Chinese American individuals and families.