Honoring Women’s Contributions to Psychiatry Research

All across the field of psychiatry, women make an impact every day in furthering our understanding of the brain and how to treat mental health and substance use disorders. In recognition of Women’s History Month, APA is highlighting six women whose research contributions have meant better outcomes for people with mental illness.

Addressing the Public Mental Health Challenge of Climate Change

• Patients and Families, Public awareness, Trauma

For most Americans, the face of climate change is extreme weather and natural disasters. More than 40% of Americans live in a county impacted by a major natural disaster in the last year. In the last seven years, natural disasters cost the United States more than a trillion dollars in damage and more than 5,000 lives were lost.

Positive Psychiatry: Promoting Well-Being

Positive psychiatry focuses on the positive aspects of mental health. It is defined as the “science and practice of psychiatry that focuses on the study and promotion of mental health and well-being through enhancement of positive psychosocial factors,” in a recent special report in Psychiatric News by former APA President Dilip V. Jeste, M.D. As Dr. Jeste notes, while about 20% of people are affected by mental disorders, “100% of people have mental health including some positive traits. Positiv

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Learn about Alzheimer's, including symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and answers to your questions.

Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders

Learn about disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders, including symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and answers to common questions.

Schizophrenia

Learn more about schizophrenia, including symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and answers to your questions.

Intellectual Disability

Learn about gambling disorder, including symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and answers to common questions.

Social Determinants of Mental Health: Homelessness

Housing instability and homelessness are major determinants of poor mental health outcomes.

Social Determinants of Mental Health: Social Environment

The social environment, including relationships, social networks, and exposure to discrimination, racism, or violence, has profound effects on mental health.

What is Psychotherapy?

Learn about psychotherapy.

What Are Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. It is one of the most common forms of dementia, a group of symptoms that lead to a decline in mental function severe enough to disrupt daily life.

APA Condemns Fatal Police Shooting in Philadelphia; Calls for Expansion of Crisis Intervention Capability

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today issued the following statement in response to the police shooting death this week of Walter Wallace Jr., a 27-year-old Black male who had mental illness and needed crisis intervention.