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Advocacy in Action
We are pleased to introduce a new section of the newsletter titled “Advocacy in Action” in support of the APA Board-Approved Recommendations on Strategic Planning that included “working to end disparities in mental health care” and “advocating for health equity and policies for undoing racism and discrimination within local, state, and federal government, and health professional organizations.”
APA Foundation Library Hosting Exhibition, Town Hall for Black History Month on Central State Hospital
The American Psychiatric Foundation’s Melvin Sabshin, M.D., Library and Archives is hosting an exhibition and a virtual town hall on the history of Central State Hospital, the first mental health care facility for African Americans in the country.
Can a Selfie Video Fight Mental Health Stigma?
Many people with mental health conditions don’t get needed treatment. Despite increased awareness and public discussion of mental health, stigma remains one of the primary barriers to people getting help. The use of brief videos, traditional and “selfie” style, with messages of recovery and hope may help reduce stigma and increase understanding of mental illness, as well as young people’s willingness to seek help, according to a recent study published in Psychiatric Services
American Psychiatric Association Lauds Administration’s Investment in Mental Health, Creation of Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
The American Psychiatric Association today applauded the Biden-Harris Administration for creating a Behavioral Health Coordinating Council within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Council will work across HHS to facilitate collaboration and strategic planning, and will ensure that millions of Americans receive prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery services for mental illness and substance use disorders.
Get ready to join us at the 2024 APA Annual Meeting in New York City!
Mark your calendar for APA’s 2024 Annual Meeting. Join us May 4-8 in the vibrant city of New York for an eventful five days of impactful programming.
Report From American Psychiatric Association Addresses Psychiatric Bed Crisis in the U.S.; Explores New Model to Determine Community Needs
As the nation continues to navigate an ongoing mental health crisis, a new report from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Psychiatric Bed Crisis in the U.S.: Understanding the Problem and Moving Toward Solutions, provides an assessment of the current problem of the lack of access to psychiatric beds and proposes a new model for estimating the needs within a community.
How to Reduce Loneliness
Loneliness has been identified as a major public health concern with significant implications for physical health, mental health and well-being. APA’s latest Healthy Minds Monthly national poll found that 30% of adults say they have experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past year. Research has found that loneliness and social isolation may be as bad for your health as obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and significantly impacts mental health.(1) While it has been
APA Statement on COVID-19 and Health Disparities
Reports are emerging that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is disproportionately impacting the African-American community in areas across the United States. In Chicago, for instance, half of those diagnosed with COVID-19 have been black, while African Americans only make up one third of the total population. Seventy percent of the fatalities linked to COVID-19 in Louisiana have been among black people, while this community makes up about a third of the overall population.
APA Celebrates Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July featured a flurry of activity in celebration of the work of Bebe Moore Campbell, author and advocate for the mental health needs of underserved populations.
Personal Perspectives on Early Psychosis, Part 1
This episode is the first of a two-part discussion about early psychosis led by Dr. Ken Duckworth. He leads a deep discussion that offers insights for individuals, family members and mental health professionals: living with it, loving someone who has it, treating it, the impact of cultural identity, and more.
APA Advocacy Secures Several Victories in Federal Legislation Signed by President Biden
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (HR 2617) passed at the end of 2022. This federal funding legislation includes many American Psychiatric Association initiatives and priorities impacting psychiatry and mental health care, lobbied for by the APA advocacy team of staff and members.
Advocacy in Action: An Update on Maternal Mental Health
As a core component of APA’s advocacy strategy, promoting federal legislation that improves health and mental health outcomes for minority and underserved populations is central to combating the current lack of equitable healthcare available to all Americans.