999 Results
APA and Coalition Outline Policy Reforms to Improve Mental Health Care in Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice system bears an alarming share of the load of mental health care in the United States, often placing people with mental illness and substance use disorders in systems that have neither the resources nor the expertise to provide them the care they need. An estimated two million people with serious mental illness are booked in our jails each year. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that only a third of inmates with mental illness receive treatment, and for those that do,
Mental Health Equity Champion Spotlight: Dr. Lisa Fortuna
This quarter’s Mental Health Equity Champion is Dr. Lisa Fortuna, professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the University of California Riverside, School of Medicine.
Chief Chats: A Conversation with Dr. Vishal Madaan
Dr. Vishal Madaan is the Chief of Education & Deputy Medical Director at the American Psychiatric Association (APA). In this role, Dr. Madaan leads content development and innovation for APA educational programs, including those offered through its Annual Meeting, online APA Learning Center, educational grants, and accreditation efforts.
Clinician Bias and Disparities in the Mental Health Treatment Continuum
Gabriel Escontrias Jr., Managing director for the Division of Diversity and Health Equity, joins panelists Dr. Junji Takeshita, Dr. Carmen Black and Dr. Michele Durham as they touch on the present state of progress toward equity, the mismatch between educational hierarchy and emerging DEIB efforts, how to be an effective advocate in a politically charged environment and so much more.
African Americans Face a Greater Risk of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and it affects about one-third of adults age 85 and older in the U.S., but some populations are disproportionally impacted. For instance, African Americans are about twice as likely as whites to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
Irritability in Children Can be More than Just a Bad Mood
Irritability, defined as a low threshold to experience anger in response to frustration, is one of the main reasons children are referred to a mental health evaluation. Irritability can appear as age-inappropriate temper outbursts and a sullen, grouchy mood and is associated with several child and adolescent mental health conditions.
The Power of Pets for Your Well-being
Most pet owners are well aware that pets make our lives better, but they can also help improve our health. Research continues to identify many ways pets help improve our health, including helping maintain mental health and well-being. More than two-thirds of us, about 68% of U.S. households, have a pet.
Achieve Mental Health Equity Update: Spring 2023
In our first quarterly newsletter of the year, we highlight the important work of our members, including early career fellows and long-standing advocates for mental health equity. We also share new in-person and virtual educational offerings on various topics including climate-change, maternal mental health, as well as the premier of our podcast series Looking Beyond: Unplugged.
Vaping is Unhealthy. Tips and Resources to Help Quit.
Electronic (e-) cigarettes, or vaping devices, were first introduced to adults in the early 2000s as a potential smoking cessation aid. They gained popularity due to their perceived reduced harm compared to traditional cigarettes. The devices often resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes (cig-a-likes), cigars, or pipes, as well as pens and USB memory sticks. Users inhale an aerosol (vapor), containing nicotine or marijuana/THC, flavorings, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes have evolved over time
American Psychiatric Association Releases New Educational Resources on Maternal Mental Health
Annually, one in five childbearing persons in the United States experience a mental health or substance use disorder before, during, or after pregnancy .1-3 To ensure psychiatrists and mental health clinicians are best positioned to respond to this need, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), with support of the CDC Foundation, has released a series of educational materials for addressing perinatal mental health in its Psychiatric Toolkit. The toolkit includes eight fact sheets for clinicia
Addressing Mental Health Stigma in African American and Other Communities of Color
To maintain good mental health, many people turn to friends, family, the church and other community supports, especially when they are going through emotional difficulty. However, there may be times when these supports are not enough to maintain emotional wellness and seeing a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, is needed.
DC Health Link’s “Mental Health Care is Essential to Good Health Town Hall”
Deputy Medical Director and Chief of Diversity and Health Equity, Dr. Regina S. James presented “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health Care” at the town hall to further the conversation surrounding disparities, COVID-19, barriers to access, and how we can all promote mental health.