What’s New at the APA
• Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A assumed office as APA President at the conclusion of the 2023 APA Annual Meeting in San Francisco last month. Dr. Levounis is an internationally renowned expert on addiction and LGBTQ+ mental health advocate. The theme for his presidential year is Confronting Addiction: From Prevention to Recovery, and will focus on public information and engagement campaigns, as well as collaboration with allied groups. You can read more about Dr. Levounis’ plans for his presidential year here and view other APA leadership candidates who took office at the close of the Annual Meeting here.
• The APA Foundation announced the 2023 winners of the APAF Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health. They are: South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network, located in Linden, New Jersey; Neighbors’ Consejo in Washington, D.C.; Association House of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois; Amani Family Services in Fort Wayne, Indiana; The Center Orlando, Inc. in Orlando, Florida; The Achievable Foundation in Culver City, California; and Lines for Life in Portland, Oregon. Each winning organization has been recognized with an award of $5,000. You can read more about these organizations and their work here.
• The vast majority of Americans agree that cigarettes are unsafe, according to the latest public opinion poll from the APA and Morning Consult. 84% of those surveyed considered cigarettes to be unsafe, and 87% said it was somewhat or very addictive. Americans also consider vapes (76%) and non-prescription opioids (75%) to be unsafe. While a wide majority of Americans (75%) consider technology to be addictive, only 23% feel it is unsafe. You can see the full poll results from APA’s annual addiction survey here.
Visit APA’s Newsroom for the latest news releases, statements, blogs, monthly public opinion poll results, and other information.
APA Communications Update
Media Relations 101 (with Senior Media Relations Manager Erin Connors)
Whether you’ve never talked with a reporter before, or need a refresher, join APA’s Senior Media Relations Manager Erin Connors for an engaging training session covering how, when and why to talk to the media. Learn how to prepare, how to respond, and a few tips for different types of interviews (written stories/on camera), etc. Depending on the number of attendees, you may have the (optional) opportunity to practice in front of your colleagues!
Sign up here:
Past and Upcoming Trainings & Recordings:
Thanks to all who attended the first in our series of webinars on communications! We are planning these as quarterly efforts as live and recorded webinars. These are open to any APA member, but specifically geared to those who are active in their DB/SAs. Stay tuned for an invite for the next live media training session, tentatively scheduled for the September Components Meeting.
Recordings:
Social Media for Organized Psychiatry: us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/…
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APA Storytelling for Communications: us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/…
us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/…
Passcode: 0N?7DHc=
Videos for Sharing:
APA’s Youtube channel has a plethora of mental health focused videos you can use on social media or share elsewhere. Check out our playlist of Spanish language mental health explainers: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanPsychiatricAssociation
News and Upcoming Themes:
We recently released poll data on anxiety as well as American’s feelings on addiction. In June we are focusing on LGBTQ+ Pride and Men’s Mental Health.
June Course of the Month – Ethical Issues in Treating LGBTQ Patients
This course reviews historical psychiatric attitudes towards LGBTQ patients that could be construed, at best, as patronizing and, at worst, overtly hostile. This course also outlines some common clinical questions raised by LGBTQ patients-what is known and not known about the origins of homosexuality and transgender expression, sexual orientation conversion efforts, therapist self-disclosure, how therapists should address LGBTQ patients, and controversies surrounding treatment of transgender children-as well as ethical issues raised in these clinical encounters. Click here to access the Course of the Month and sign up for updates about this free member benefit.
Explore APA’s MOORE Equity in Mental Health Activities
Registration today for APA’s 5K Run, Walk, & Roll-on Saturday, July 29. This race-which can be completed in person or virtually-will raise money to support programs working to improve the mental health of young people of color. Learn about other events to be held throughout July.
Learn More & Register Today
Be a part of APA’s Speakers Bureau
APA is seeking members who are active and engaged in Component activities to be a part of APA’s Speaker’s Bureau. The Speaker’s Bureau is aimed at diversifying and broadening APA’s bench of public-facing experts. In addition to traditional media requests, APA has a number of other opportunities available for members who are willing to share their expertise. This includes writing blogs on important mental health topics, providing government testimony, and participation in social media events, like Twitter chats, Instagram live, and more.
Do You Know Where to Find the Latest Stories in Psych News?
Check out the Newswire (formerly PN in Advance) section of the website, where new articles are published each week. This week learn about psychiatrists’ reactions to the growing number of policies across the country to divert people with mental illness experiencing homelessness from the streets into treatment and more.
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