APA Blogs
393 Results
Coping with Sleep Problems in Stressful Times
The stress, isolation, changes, loss and other impacts of the pandemic have disrupted our lives in many ways, and for many people, it’s led to more problems sleeping. However, some people have experienced positive changes and researchers have identified some effective ways of coping with sleep challenges during the pandemic.
APA Marks International Women’s Day; Highlights Women Psychiatrists Whose Work Exemplifies Service to Disadvantaged Groups
March 8 is the International Day of the Woman, a worldwide celebration of women’s achievements, and an opportunity to boost awareness of the struggle for gender equality. This year, APA is pleased to mark the occasion by calling attention to the past and present winners of the APA Assembly Award for Excellence in Service and Advocacy. This award, which originated in 2016, is presented by the Women of the Assembly to a woman psychiatrist in the APA whose career has demonstrated excellence in serving and advocating for communities which are underserved. Â
New Study: Community College Students Often Face Mental Health Challenges
Community college students have higher rates of mental health problems compared to same age peers at 4-year institutions, according to a new national study. It also found that community college students from traditionally marginalized backgrounds were more likely to have mental health problems and less likely to get treatment. The study appears online this week in Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association.
Why the New APA-Backed Federal Parity Law Is a Game Changer for Patients & Psychiatrists
APA-backed federal legislation enacted in December 2020 gave the federal government powerful new authority to enforce the law that requires insurers to provide the same access to psychiatric treatment as other medical care for patients they cover. For anyone who’s struggled to find psychiatric care, or has found it too expensive to afford, this law, strengthening mental health parity, is a game changer. Â
City Living and Mental Well-being
 More than half the world’s population lives in cities, and the number is expected to continue to increase in the coming decades. Living in urban areas has been associated with increased risk for mental disorders, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. Research using functional magnetic resonance imaging has identified changes in the brain indicating that urban upbringing and city living are linked to social stress processing.