What's New at the APA
· Dr. Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D. was chosen as the next President-Elect of the American Psychiatric Association after the most recent APA election cycle. Dr. Miskimen is currently chair and medical director of the Department of Psychiatry at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, New Jersey, and previously served as Speaker of the APA Assembly. You can read more about Dr. Miskimen Rivera and see the rest of the election results here.
· One in five pet owners has an emotional support animal, according to the results of a Healthy Minds Monthly poll released jointly by APA and the American Veterinary Medical Association. 84% of those polled say pets have a positive impact on their mental health. A majority of those surveyed (62%) also indicated that their pets help them reduce stress and anxiety. You can read the full poll results and read more about pets and mental health here. We also encourage you to use our #Paws4MentalHealth social toolkit to help promote the effort.
· As elections, wars, and other controversial events and issues swirl in the news feeds and on social media, members of APA's Council on Communications wrote a blog titled How to Discuss Controversial Issues with Your Mental Health in Mind on having tricky conversations.
Visit APA's Newsroom for the latest news releases, statements, blogs, monthly public opinion poll results, and other information.
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.
Briefs for Your Newsletter
March Course of the Month – Everything You Wanted To Know About Digital Health Technology but Were Afraid to Ask
Digital health technologies (DHT) have the potential to radically alter the landscape of medical treatment. The use of DHT has increased access to treatment and has the potential to improve outcomes and help decrease stigma. Unfortunately, the demand for DHT has outpaced the research needed to prove these interventions safe and effective. This course will introduce a broad definition of DHT and provide examples of digital health interventions, including current research and evidence. Potential benefits, as well as ethical, regulatory, reimbursement, and social concerns, will be introduced, and more. Click here to access the Course of the Month and sign up for updates about this free member benefit.
Register Today for the APA Annual Meeting in New York City
Join your colleagues at APA's 2024 Annual Meeting from Saturday, May 4, through Wednesday, May 8, and hear from the field's leading experts. Plenary sessions will feature Anderson Cooper, Bryan Stevenson, J.D., M.P.P., and a Broadway extravaganza. Choose your meeting experience-in person or virtual!
APA Foundation Launches New Initiative for Mental Health of Black Men
The suicide rates among young African American/Black males have risen faster over the past two decades than among any other racial group. The APA Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Project will specifically reach out to this demographic to provide psychologically safe spaces for healing and normalize seeking mental health care when it is needed.
Calling All Medical Students and Education Directors
The APA Foundation invites applications for its Helping Hands Grants Program. The program provides grants of up to $5,000 to medical schools for mental health/substance use disorder projects, particularly in underserved minority communities. The projects are developed and managed by medical students with community agencies or in conjunction with medical school outreach activities. The deadline is Friday, May 31. Psychiatry education directors are asked to share this information with their medical students.
Reserve Your Spot at the APA Foundation Benefit
The APA Foundation will hold its annual benefit on Monday evening, May 6, at the Cipriani 25 Broadway, an Italian neo-renaissance masterpiece. Enjoy a night of dinner, dancing, and fun as we celebrate the APA Foundation's progress toward creating a mentally healthy nation for all.
Contact Your Representative to Prevent Cuts to Physician Reimbursement
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a 3.4% reduction in Medicare's physician payments for 2024. This cut is devastating to physician practices and the patients they care for, and could necessitate reduced staffing and office closures, disproportionately harming rural and underserved communities. Please urge Congress to prevent these devastating cuts from going into effect by cosponsoring the Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act of 2023 (H.R.6683). This bipartisan bill would completely eliminate the 3.4% physician pay cut expected to take effect on January 1. Learn more and compose a message to your representative in Congress here.
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/X chats, Instagram live, and more.