In May of 2006, Governor George Pataki and Sharon Carpinello, R.N., Ph.D., Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, appointed Dr. Koplewicz the Executive Director of the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI), making him the third person in that position since its 1952 founding. NKI is one of only two New York State-funded research institutions and is nationally and internationally known for its pioneering contributions to psychiatric research in the study of the etiology, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of severe and persistent mental illnesses.
In October of 2006, the NYU School of Medicine established the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, creating only the second independent department of a major university in the United States. Dr. Koplewicz was named chairman of this new department.
The NYU Child Study Center is dedicated to increasing the awareness of child mental health issues, expanding scientific knowledge, and improving the treatment of child psychiatric disorders. Founded in 1997, under Dr. Koplewicz's direction the Child Study Center has experienced extraordinary growth and now has over 200 faculty members and staff, an annual operating budget of over $20 million, and a research grants portfolio in excess of $40 million.
Dr. Koplewicz has designed the Center so that its research initiatives advance the understanding of the causes and treatments of child psychiatric disorders and these findings are then incorporated into state-of-the-art clinical care. To support this model, the Center is built around a group of research Institutes with associated clinical arms, a structure that allows the Center to expand its patient population, recruit patients for numerous ongoing research studies, and provide "real-world" testing for successful controlled-environment findings. Dr. Koplewicz has recruited some of the nation's leading researchers and scientists, each with stellar reputations and research accomplishments in their areas of expertise.
A graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Koplewicz completed his psychiatric residency at New York Hospital Westchester Division, a fellowship in Child Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, an NIMH Research Fellowship in Child Psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and the Executive Program in Health Policy and Management at Harvard University School of Public Health.
Dr. Koplewicz is the recipient of many awards, including the 1997 Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, the 1999 Humanitarian Award from Marymount Manhattan College and the 2000 American Grand Hope Award from the Aprica Childcare Institute. From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, he received the 2002 Catcher in the Rye Award, the 1998 Reiger Service Award in recognition of his work in the development of school-based mental health programs, and the 2007 Irving Philips Award for Prevention, its highest honor, for his dedication and outstanding achievements in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.
He has served as a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners and as a Commissioner of the New York State Commission on Youth, Crime and Violence and Reform of the Juvenile Justice System. Since 1997, Dr. Koplewicz has been the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. He was also a member of the working group organized by the U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to address the effects of terrorism on children's mental health.
As a clinician and pediatric psychopharmacologist, Dr. Koplewicz evaluates 100 new patients a year from all over the world. Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. has repeatedly named him one of America's Top Doctors, as has New York Magazine, and Good Housekeeping has named him one of "America's Best Mental Health Experts." Viewed as one of the leading authorities in the field, he frequently appears in the media to educate the public about child mental health issues and to help families understand the impact of world events on their children and how best to manage those effects. Radio and television appearances have included NBC Today, National Public Radio, Good Morning America, LIVE with Regis and Kelly, CBS This Morning, Oprah, The View, CNN American Morning, CNN Weekend Housecalls, NBC Nightly News, ABC World News Tonight and Dateline NBC.
Dr. Koplewicz's research and publications have focused on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders, and he has been at the forefront of public education to dispel the myths and stigma surrounding mental and emotional disorders of children and adults. Author of more than 65 peer-reviewed articles and chapters on child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Koplewicz is also the author of several books, including the textbook Depression in Children and Adolescents (Hardwood, 1993); It's Nobody's Fault: New Hope and Help for Difficult Children and their Parents (Times Books/Random House, 1996), which received the Parent's Choice Award and was a "Books for a Better Life" finalist; Childhood Revealed: Art Expressing Pain, Discovery & Hope (Harry Abrams, Inc., 1999); and his most recent work on adolescent depression, More Than Moody: Recognizing and Treating Adolescent Depression (Putnam, 2002).
Books by Dr. Koplewicz*
Recognized by*
Included in 2005–2006 Best Doctors in America database, a leading resource linking consumers to expert medical care
Included in 2007–2008 Best Doctors in America database, a leading resource linking consumers to expert medical care
In the News*
How to Spot Depression in Your Child or Adolescent
Child Study Center Founder and Director Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., appeared on Eyewitness News on WABC to talk about the public health crisis of child and teenage depression, signs that a child needs help and the steps parents should take to address a potential depression. (March 1, 2008)
Response to a Tragedy
Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., Director of the NYU Child Study Center, appeared on The Today Show to talk about the Cleveland school shooting that took place on October 10th. Dr. Koplewicz discussed the warning signs of a troubled child and what action parents and school professionals can take if they think there is a problem. When asked why these tragedies continue to occur, Dr. Koplewicz answered that the stigma of mental illness prevents parents and children from seeking the help that they need. (October 11, 2007)
3 Orangeburg Scientists get $720,000 in Alzheimer's Research Grants
Dr. Harold Koplewicz was quoted in The Journal News (PDF) acknowledging the three Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research scientists that have been awarded grants to continue their Alzheimer's research. (July 25, 2007)
Heavy Mental: The Message is in the Music
Dr. Joseph LeDoux, Director of the Emotional Brain Institute (EBI) of NYU, mentioned Dr. Harold Koplewicz on his blog post in The Huffington Post (PDF). Dr. LeDoux and Dr. Koplewicz have collaborated to form the EBI, a new research endeavor aimed at understanding the neuroscience of emotions and their impact on behavior. (July 24, 2007)
First Time Fathers: What to Expect When She's Expecting
Dr. Harold Koplewicz appeared live on The Today Show to talk to expectant dads and moms about being a good parent. (June 16, 2007)
The Father Figures, Though Not as Much
Dr. Harold Koplewicz spoke to The New York Times for a column about the differences between married men and women when displaying photographs at work. (June 15, 2007)
The Pangs of Family Mealtime Guilt
Dr. Harold Koplewicz spoke to The New York Times about the importance of being involved in your family's life, which does not necessarily have to happen around mealtime. He said "Dinner is something we can count, so it becomes shorthand for much more. But it's not the food that's important as much as the time and connection." (June 14, 2007)
Black Box Backfire
Dr. Harold Koplewicz, Founder and Director of the NYU Child Study Center, was quoted in a commentary in the Wall Street Journal (PDF) that linked the Virginia Tech School Shootings to new JAMA study findings that the risks of taking antidepressants were much lower than the FDA originally thought. The writer ended his column questioning the continued use of Black Box labels on antidepressants with "But the director of the New York University Child Study Center, Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, said it best: 'What is the risk of your child not taking the medicine?'" (April 21, 2007)
"A Perfect Storm of Missteps" Lead to Massacre
Dr. Harold Koplewicz was quoted in an MSNBC.com article (PDF) based on his Today Show interview. He said that colleges should regularly ask students about their mental health. (April 19, 2007)
Talking to Your Child About the VT Shootings
Dr. Harold Koplewicz appeared live on more than 20 NBC affiliates around the country, responding to questions relating to the school shootings. Dr. Koplewicz also appeared on WNBC's News 4 You in an interview with Perri Peltz. He offered tips to parents for talking to children of different ages about the Virginia Tech shootings. (April 18, 2007)
Identifying Troubled Teens
Dr. Harold Koplewicz appeared live on The Today Show to provide information on ways to identify troubled teens and how to intervene. This appearance comes in the wake of the deadly school shootings at Virginia Tech and the announcement that the gunman mailed a manifesto to NBC News between the first and second shootings. This package included photos of the shooter with guns and writings expressing rage, resentment, and a desire to get even. (April 19, 2007)
Talking to Your Child About the VT Shootings
Dr. Harold Koplewicz appeared live on more than 20 NBC affiliates around the country, responding to questions relating to the school shootings (April 18, 2007)
Teens and the Race Debate
Dr. Harold Koplewicz appeared on the Today Show with host Al Roker, comedienne Whoppi Goldberg, and director Spike Lee for a roundtable discussion on talking to teens about race. (April 10, 2007)
New Educational Program for Apserger Adolescents at NYU
Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and the new Lab for Advanced Learning and Teaching—an educational program for adolescents with Asperger Syndrome—were featured in the April 2007 issue of Education Update (PDF).
Mental Illness in Young Adults
Dr. Harold Koplewicz explains to Wall Street Journal's Elizabeth Bernstein some of the warning signs of mental illness in young adults. (March 27, 2007)
Koplewicz Pioneers Field of Child Psychology Studies
Dr. Harold Koplewicz was featured by the Washington Square News, which highlighted many of his career achievements and the extraordinary impact he has made to the field of child mental health. Drs. Glenn Hirsch and Rachel Klein were both quoted in the article, calling Dr. Koplewicz a "true visionary" and "marvelous with children." (February 20, 2007)
NYU to Partner With State Child Psych Center
Dr. Harold Koplewicz and Dr. Raul Silva were quoted by the Washington Square News in an article highlighting the collaboration between the Child Study Center and the Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center. Both Dr. Koplewicz and Silva spoke about the opportunities this connection would provide to the NYU community and the residents in the Rockland-Albany corridor. (February 20, 2007)
NYU Affiliate Gets $3m in U.S. Grants
Dr. Harold Koplewicz spoke to the Washington Square News about the $3 million in grants received by the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI). Dr. Koplewicz said that not only could these grants help researchers develop new treatments that could make a difference for many people, they could also allow the facility, already a training ground for postgraduates, become a home for more graduate and undergraduate students. (February 20, 2007)
Nathan Kline Institute to Gain Staff, Funds Under Budget Proposal
Dr. Harold Koplewicz spoke with the Journal News (PDF) about the items impacting the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in the state budget proposed by Governor Spitzer. Dr. Koplewicz called the proposal, which would allow for hiring 10 additional scientists and a capital investment of $7.7 million, "extraordinary." (February 6, 2007)
Nathan Kline Institute an investment in future
An editorial in the Journal News (PDF) commended Governor Spitzer on his proposed investment in the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research and said that, if passed, the proposed state budget allotting $7.7 million and 10 additional scientists to NKI would truly make a difference in the mental health of the entire New York State population. The editorial also mentioned Dr. Koplewicz's 2006 appointment at the Institute. (February 1, 2007)
No Spanking Bill: Should Spanking Be Against the Law?
Dr. Harold Koplewicz praised the attention that new legislation in California to ban parents from spanking children under the age of three is bringing to the issue of parenting on NBC's Today Show (Windows Media file). Dr. Koplewicz suggests that one of the "punishments" for parents caught spanking their child could be a parenting class that would provide a framework for parents to provide a supportive, reinforcing environment. (January 22, 2007)
Robo-Tripping: What Parents Need to Know
Dr. Harold Koplewicz was on "The Today Show" (Windows Media file) on NBC discussing teenage abuse of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines to get a cheap high - a practice known as "robo-tripping," which is becoming one of the fastest-growing drug abuse problems for that age group. (December 6, 2006)
Diagnosing Psychiatric Disorders
Dr. Harold Koplewicz appeared in a video on The New York Times website as part of the Times series "Troubled Children." The video focuses on the difficulties of diagnosing psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. (November 11, 2006)
Kids & Depression
Dr. Harold Koplewicz was interviewed on WNBC's "Today in New York" (Windows Media File). Dr. Koplewicz discussed warning signs of depression in children and teens that parents should be aware of. He also spoke about importance of the creation of the new Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the New York State grant to create a Center of Excellence here at the Child Study Center. (October 19, 2006)
Med School Create New Child Psychiatry Dept.
The Washington Square News published an article on the establishment of the new Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Harold Koplewicz told the paper that creating this new department " …puts NYU ahead of the curve and in a position of leadership, much the same way that earlier institutions distinguished pediatrics from general internal medicine." (October 19, 2006)
Forum to explore youth mental illness
Dr. Harold Koplewicz will be the keynote speaker at ‘Breaking the Silence,’ an annual forum sponsored by the Mental Health Coalition in Rockland County. As reported by The Journal News (PDF), Dr. Koplewicz will address the myths that parenting or bad parenting are to blame for such conditions as hyperactivity, depression, or school phobia in children. (October 17, 2006)
The Secret Life of Teens: Where Do They Really Go?
Dr. Harold Koplewicz spoke to Good Morning America about the dangers of underage teenagers going to nightclubs. A new twist on this age-old problem is the fact that many teenagers today take prescription medications for attention deficit and other disorders, which can have serious implications when mixed with alcohol. (September 13, 2006)
Not Your Garden-Variety Dysfunction
Dr. Harold Koplewicz was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article about a television show on which the mother tries to enforce having a regular family dinners. Dr. Koplewicz advised that having regular, relaxed meals allow parents and kids a very important opportunity to connect with each other. (August 28, 2006)
Should You Scold Other People's Children?
Dr. Harold Koplewicz sits down with Matt Lauer on the Today Show to discuss when it's appropriate to reprimand other people's children. (August 2, 2006)
10 Secrets of Successful Parenting
Dr. Harold Koplewicz tells Nick Jr. (PDF) his top ten tips for raising happy, healthy kids. (August 2006)
New Insights Into the 'Trench Coat Mafia'
Dr. Harold Koplewicz is interviewed on Good Morning America about newly-released documents from Columbine. (July 7, 2006)
Family Meal Make Better Kids?
Dr. Harold Koplewicz talks to Ann Curry on the Today Show about the importance of families eating meals together at least a few times a week. (June 5, 2006)
FDA Issues Alert on ADHD Drug Strattera
Dr. Harold Koplewicz commented to HealthDay on an FDA warning that ADHD drug Strattera might prompt suicidal thoughts in children. (September 29, 2005)
Antidepressants Urged to Have Stern Warning
Dr. Harold Koplewicz urges physicians who might back away from prescribing antidepressants to instead keep a closer eye on their patients. "It's not the medicine," he said to the Wall Street Journal (PDF). "It's the way you use the medicine." (September 15, 2004)
International Perspectives on Autism Presented at NYU Child Study Center
Education Update (PDF) reported on a symposium, led by Dr. Harold Koplewicz and moderated by Dr. F. Xavier Castellanos, which gathered world-wide autism experts at the NYU Child Study Center. (May 2004)
Childhood Depression: What It Looks Like, What To Do
Dr. Harold Koplewicz spoke to WebMD about depression and anxiety in children and adolescents. (April 14, 2004)
* Partial Lists
