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Honoring Chester Pierce with a New Human Rights Award; Your Opportunity to Participate in the Endowment Campaign
As members of the Chester Pierce Human Rights Award Campaign Workgroup, we invite you to join us in supporting the endowment of this award at a critical time in our nation’s history. Professor Chester M. Pierce, M.D., was a psychiatric physician, a Harvard gentleman, a scholar/athlete, the first African American president of his high school graduating class, a founder of Black Psychiatrists of America, and above all, a superb human being.
National 988 Crisis Line One Step in Improving Mental Health Crisis Services
The number of people experiencing mental health crises is up—drug overdoses and suicides have overtaken traffic accidents as the two leading causes of death among young Americans ages 25-44. Unfortunately, individuals in crisis often do not receive appropriate and effective response and do not get the care and help they need.
Expanding Mental Health Uses for Virtual Reality
Virtual reality technology is increasingly being used to support mental health and treat a variety of mental health disorders, especially as the technology becomes more familiar and more affordable. Virtual reality (VR) offers several advantages, including convenience and the ability to adapt and individualize it. Among the conditions being effectively treated with VR are PTSD, anxiety and phobias.
APA President Vivian Pender, M.D. Discusses Juneteenth
APA President Vivian Pender, M.D. delivers a message in recognition of Juneteenth, which commemorates the day that the end of slavery was proclaimed by Union forces in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. Dr. Pender discusses the impact that social inequities have on our society, and the importance of working to ensure freedom and equality for all people. Juneteenth, which represents freedom and justice for all Black Americans, is expected to become a federal holiday with President Biden's signature this afternoon.
Observing Juneteenth and Supporting Mental Health Equity
This weekend, we acknowledge and observe Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the day that the end of slavery was announced in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth has been celebrated by the Black community since the late 1800s. Now, pending President Biden’s signature, expected this afternoon, it will be a federal holiday in recognition of the end of the dark chapter of human slavery in America, and the start of the long march towards equality for the Black community.