953 Results
Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support to Their Owners, 1 out of 5 Pet Owners Has an Emotional Support Animal
They say in Washington, if you want a friend, get a dog. The results of an American Psychiatric Association Healthy Minds Monthly Poll released jointly with the American Veterinary Medical Association seem to align with that adage: Among the many mental health benefits of pets, nearly two-thirds of pet owners say that their animals offer companionship (65%), are a true friend (65%) and provide unconditional love and support (64%).
Unveiling APA’s Access Agenda
As President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the 117th Congress took office, they arrived in the midst of multiple crises impacting Americans’ mental health—the pandemic, economic crisis and systemic racism—as well as the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection. Americans are feeling more anxious and overdose deaths reached a record high last year. Federal policymakers have a fresh opportunity in the next six months to make an impact.
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
New Research: As Demand for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Rose, Promise in “Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Programs” Emerged
Referrals from primary care providers (PCPs) to Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) programs increased and involved more complex mental health concerns, particularly regarding mood and anxiety, during the pandemic, according to a new study published online today in Psychiatric Services. These trends underscore the importance of these programs to supporting the growing need for children’s mental health care.
Latino Youth: Overcoming Challenges to Mental Health and Access to Care
Latino youth are more likely than their peers to have mental health issues, which often go unaddressed and untreated, according to a recent review of research by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Many Latino youth face several stressors related to family life and to community/school that can impact their mental health.
Understanding Stimming: Repetitive Behaviors with a Purpose
One key symptom of autism spectrum disorders is repetitive behaviors, such as repetitive actions like self-stimulation behavior, or stimming. These behaviors can involve one part of the body, the entire body or an object. While they may seem distractive or disruptive, and while it may not be obvious to others, stimming often serves a purpose for the individual.
American Psychiatric Association Honors Sen. Chris Murphy with Jacob K. Javits Award for Public Service
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) presented Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) with the Jacob K. Javits Award for Public Service during its Federal Advocacy Conference today. Sen. Murphy is recognized for his leadership and dedication in advancing mental health policy in Congress that has led to the passing of critical bipartisan legislation to help improve the lives of millions of Americans with mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD).
La Salud Mental: Social Media Toolkit
La Salud Mental is our Spanish-language resource website offering evidence-based information on mental health and substance use disorders for Latino communities in the United States. The platform offers culturally relevant information about common mental health issues, treatments, and how to seek support. As part of our commitment to promoting mental health awareness in historically underserved populations, we encourage engagement through the hashtag #MenteSanaGenteSana, which emphasizes the imp
APA Remains Committed to Supporting Goldwater Rule
APA’s Ethics Committee issued an opinion that reaffirms our organization’s support for “The Goldwater Rule,” which asserts that psychiatrists should not give professional opinions about the mental state of individuals that they have not personally and thoroughly evaluated.
APA Publishing Releases Definitive Guide to Women's Reproductive Mental Health
A woman’s mental health is punctuated by specific events during her natural biological cycle, but the importance of these events is often forgotten when clinicians review her psychiatric history. A new textbook from APA Publishing is the first comprehensive text for understanding, diagnosing, and supporting the unique mental health needs of women during their entire reproductive life cycle.
Warm Lines: Providing Help Before a Crisis Develops
A warm line is a confidential, free phone service offering mental health support. Unlike a crisis line or hotline, they are not intended for emergency situations. Warm lines are typically staffed by volunteer or paid peers—people with personal experience with mental health disorders. They use their experience to better understand and support callers, offering conversation, emotional support and information on local mental health services and other community services when needed.
February Issues of American Psychiatric Association Journals Cover Risk Factors for Mental Illness, Substance Use in Psychiatric Care, Emergency Psychiatry and More
The issues of three of the American Psychiatric Association’s journals, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Services, and Focus, are now available online.