The Council on Women’s Mental Health is responsible for prioritizing and advancing clinical knowledge and research related to the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illnesses unique to women, the treatment of disorders during the reproductive years, the special risk factors and pharmacologic considerations unique to female patients, and health care access and outcome disparities associated with gender, including intersectional issues. The council facilitates the centralization of APA work related to women’s mental health, and serves as a source of information, guidance, and support for other APA components.

Highlights of Responsibilities

• Works with other APA components to advise and assist on matters unique to women’s mental health.
• Acts as APA’s expert on issues related to women’s mental health, providing the Administration or external partners with feedback on relevant policies, documents, and guidelines.
• Addresses the clinical care and provision of services related to the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illnesses and special risk factors of female patients.
• Works to increase the awareness of outcome disparities and promotes policies aimed at improving women’s mental health across the lifespan.
• Leads APA’s initiatives and policy development around timely and ongoing issues which impact women patients.

Staff Liaison

• Agathe Farrage

Council Members

• Ludmila De Faria, M.D., DFAPA – Chairperson
  2024-2026
• Madeleine Becker, M.D., M.A.
  2024-2027
• Obianuju Berry, M.D., M.P.H.
  2024-2027
• Helen Blaisdell-Brennan, M.D., FAPA – Assembly Representative
  2024-2025
• Nancy Byatt, D.O., M.S., M.B.A., DFAPA
  2024-2027
• Nicole Cirino, M.D.
  2024-2025
• Uriel Halbreich, M.D., DLFAPA
  2024-2026
• Priya Kumar-Kaparaboyna, M.D. – Early Career Psychiatrist Representative
  2024-2026
• Jennifer Payne, M.D., DFAPA
  2024-2026
• David Silver, M.D., FAPA
  2024-2025
• Carole Warshaw, M.D.
  2024-2026
• Katherine Wisner, M.D., DLFAPA
  2024-2025
• Carol Bernstein, M.D., DLFAPA – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Eman El Gamal, M.D., DFAPA – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Nichole Goodsmith, M.D., Ph.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Cheryl Hurd, M.D., DFAPA – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Guitelle St.Victor, M.D., FAPA – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Kimberly Yonkers, M.D., DLFAPA – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025