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    Covid-19 / Coronavirus

    Information Hub

    October 2022 Update – Public Health Emergency Extended Until January 11, 2023 or the Duration of the Emergency.

    To provide support in the response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), APA is collecting authoritative and timely resources in this information hub.

    To share links to these resources, right click on the section navigation link or document, and click "Copy Link" or "Copy Link Address" (depending on your browser). The link can then be pasted into an email or social media.

    If you are a patient or family member or friend in need of immediate assistance:

    Resources for Psychiatrists

    With COVID-19 evolving rapidly across the world, APA's Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disasters and the APA's Council on International Psychiatry compiled the following list of resources for psychiatrists. The resources cover not only the physical impact of the coronavirus, but on its potential mental health and psychosocial issues and responses. The resources also include a section on telepsychiatry, to prepare for the possibility of isolation and/or quarantine.

    COVID-19 Vaccines

    Members are encouraged to contact their local public health agency for guidance on the vaccine "rollout" plans. Vaccine distribution guidance is available from the following government entities and organizations:

    District Branches are also vetting and disseminating state-level guidance, such as the following:

    COVID-19 Psychiatric Practice Guidance

    [UPDATED 01/18/22] APA is tracking guidance released by the Department of Health and Human Services and at the state level related to COVID-19 to assist psychiatrists with providing mental health and substance use services.

    View recent changes and guidance impact telehealth, substance use disorders and treatment services, and inpatient psychiatric settings.

    View COVID-19 Psychiatric Practice Guidance here.

    If you are an APA member, APA's Practice Management HelpLine is ready to assist you with your practice management needs. Help is available on how to manage the day-to-day operations of your practice in the midst of this pandemic, including telehealth, coding, documentation, reimbursement, contracting with managed care companies, Medicare, Medicaid, and more.

    COVID-19 & Mental Health

    APA Resources

    Other Resources

    Webinars

    APA is producing webinars to provide up-to-date information as the situation evolves.

    • The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of African Americans – The webinar examined strategies and opportunities to improve the mental health of African Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also raising awareness and building trust on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. Prominent leaders in their respective fields discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of African Americans.
    • The Mental Health of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders: Coalition-Building and Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Rise of Xenophobia – The webinar examined strategies and opportunities to improve the mental health of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of xenophobia. Prominent leaders in their respective fields discussed policies, data, coalition-building, and resources to support and improve the safety and mental health of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders.
    • The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Latinas/os – Panelists examined strategies and opportunities to improve the mental health of Latinas/os during and post pandemic and raised awareness of the additional pandemic stressors facing this community such as unemployment, insurance benefits inequities, and social isolation.
    • The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Indigenous Communities – Panelists examined strategies and opportunities to improve the mental health of our Indigenous people during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The panelists discussed the concerns of the communities and highlight solutions incorporating cultural humility and respect. In addition, they will raise awareness of other unique pandemic stressors facing the Indigenous communities.
    • Advancing the Use of Telehealth Through Education and Advocacy – Many psychiatrists have quickly transitioned to using telehealth and found it beneficial for certain patients. As states lift stay-at-home orders, and data shows COVID-19 continue to spread in some areas, the use of telehealth remains an important tool for patients to access mental health and substance use disorder treatment while keeping patients, clinicians, families, and communities safe through physical distancing. This APA webinar will focus on how to refine the use of telehealth to better serve your patients and highlight advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels to continue telehealth flexibilities.
    • APA Spring Highlights Meeting 2020 – Recordings and slide downloads from this live, virtual event are now available. Sessions include physician leadership, telepsychiatry, and healthcare worker and organizational sustainment during COVID-19.
    • Serious Mental Illness and COVID-19: Tailoring ACT Teams, Group Homes, and Supportive Housing – This free town hall presentation, from a panel of SMI experts, answers questions about arising best practices being implemented by Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, and supporting those in supportive housing or group homes.
    • How to Address COVID 19 Across Inpatient, Residential and other Non-Ambulatory Care Settings – In this free webinar from APA and the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH), hear from experts about how to manage different types of services, key messages to give to your team leaders, unique challenges for people with SMI, how to handle group therapy, and more.
    • Telepsychiatry in the Era of COVID-19 – This free webinar from SMI Adviser (APA & SAMHSA) offers learners an overview of how to use telemental health and video visits in the changing landscape surrounding the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Managing the Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 – This free webinar from APA will outline how psychiatrists can support patients, communicate with family members and children, and be a resource to other providers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

    CDC Information

    Telehealth Rules

    Rules regarding the practice of telepsychiatry have changed quickly. CMS released guidance on March 17, 2020, that now allows patients to be seen via live videoconferencing in their homes, without having to travel to a qualifying "originating site" for Medicare telehealth encounters, regardless of geographic location.

    To learn more about whether telepsychiatry may be a helpful option for your practice, and to access APA's collection of resources on telepsychiatry, use the links below:

    Resources for Families

    Resources for Hospitalists and Primary Care

    Resources for Health Care and Community Leaders

    These resources intended to assist psychiatrists and the public in responding to COVID-19. APA will continue to update this page with resources developed by both APA and other organizations. Links to resources shared by other organizations are not intended to imply an endorsement of the organization.

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