The Path Forward for Mental Health and Substance Use Names Eight Regions to Spearhead Employer Efforts to Improve Access to Effective Care

The national steering committee for The Path Forward for Mental Health and Substance Use – National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) Center for Workplace Mental Health and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute – has selected eight locations across the nation to implement its multi-stakeholder transformative initiative.

Según una nueva encuesta de la APA, se consideran cigarrillos más inseguros, adictivos entre opciones encuestadas

Más hispanoamericanos informaron que los cigarrillos son más peligrosos y adictivos que la marihuana, los opiáceos, el alcohol, vapear, y la tecnología

Explore Sessions on Psychopharmacology

Psychopharmacology is a complex field, with drug-drug interactions, contraindications, and an ever-evolving landscape of different options for treatment.

Personal Perspectives on Major Depressive Disorder, Part 1

These podcasts include the real-life experiences of people with mental illness and family members. Some of the content includes discussions of topics such as suicide attempts and may be triggering.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Psychotherapy Outcomes

• Patients and Families

Artificial intelligence, the ability of a computer program or a machine to think and learn, is increasingly being used in many areas, including mental health treatment. A new study uses artificial intelligence to measure psychotherapy treatment and to examine links between specific aspects of the therapy and outcomes. This information could potentially lead to improvements in psychotherapy.

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.

What Happens When You Quit, or at Least Really Cut Back, Your Social Media Use?

• Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families

For many people, checking social media regularly and spending a lot of time on it is a part of everyday life. But what is the impact on your well-being if you just quit for a while, or at least significantly cut back? You’ll probably be at least a little bit better off, according to a couple of recent studies. Substantial research over the past few years has linked social media use with reduced well-being, sleep problems and increased loneliness, depression and mental distress.

March Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Cover Genomics and Mental Illnesses and Associations Between Recent Public Health Crises with Traumatic Stress

The March issues of two of the American Psychiatric Association journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services are available online.

Exploring the Potential to Eliminate Traumatic Memories

• Patients and Families, Trauma

Erasing or manipulating memories sounds like science fiction,  but researchers are moving closer to the ability to target and erase traumatic memories. New advances in the neurobiology of fear memory are leading to potential new approaches to PTSD treatment, including the erasure of traumatic memories.

Updates in the Understanding of Autism

April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting inclusion for individuals with autism. Once considered a rare condition, autism is now recognized as affecting 2% of the general population. Consequently, the needs of autistic individuals have become a focal point for health care professionals, especially given that those with autism experience psychiatric concerns at significantly higher rates than those without.

Talking about Veteran’s Mental Health

• Depression, Military and Veterans, Trauma

The questions and answers below are some adapted from a recent Twitter chat APA hosted on veteran’s mental health.

Air Pollution and Mental Health

• Anxiety, Depression, Older adults, Patients and Families

Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health: the link between air pollution and health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are well established. Outdoor air pollution in cities and rural areas is estimated to cause more than 4 million premature deaths a year worldwide, primarily due to heart disease, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lower respiratory infections. Recent research is also making a connection between air pollution and mental h