Programs & Services

American Psychiatric Association's Library - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The APA Library & Archives is a database that encourages people to experience the history, leadership, and impact of the world’s leading psychiatric organization through the Melvin Sabshin, M.D. Library & Archives. The American Psychiatric Association's Library began in 1949 when the first medical director, Dr. Daniel Blain, asked members to submit autographed copies of their books to share knowledge with fellow members.

Donations of significant objects continued and helped grow the library to what it is today: an important collection of around 1,700 rare books, 200 artifacts, fine arts, photographs and oral histories documenting the history of psychiatry and APA. With a collection that includes archived relics and artifacts—a page from the Gutenberg Bible, admission papers to the 18th century Bedlam Hospital in London—and hundreds of rare books contributed over the years by APA members, the library and archives promises to be a rich trove for researchers and students of the history of psychiatry and the evolving understanding of mental illness.

Advocacy Action Centre - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Advocacy Action Centre highlights the advocacy campaigns of the American Psychiatric Association (APA)

American Psychiatric Association Publishing - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

American Psychiatric Association Publishing is the world’s premier publisher of books, journals, and multimedia on psychiatry, mental health, and behavioral science. We offer authoritative, up-to-date, and affordable information geared toward psychiatrists, other mental health professionals, psychiatric residents, medical students, and the general public. APA Publishing is a division of the American Psychiatric Association. Its purpose is twofold:

• To serve as the distributor of publications of the Association
• To publish books independent of the policies and procedures of the American Psychiatric Association.

APA Publishing has grown since its founding in 1981 into a full-service publishing house, including a staff of editorial, production, marketing, and business experts devoted to publishing for the field of psychiatry and mental health. Under the direction of Laura Roberts, M.D., M.A., and John McDuffie, editorial acquisition and development have the highest priority at APA Publishing.

APA Publishing is unique in the extent to which it uses peer review in both the selection and final approval of publishing projects. Proposals are reviewed and developed at the earliest stages by an Editorial Board that brings psychiatric expertise from a diverse spectrum of psychiatry. Full manuscripts are then peer-reviewed in their entirety, with final acceptance of the manuscript dependent on appropriate response to the peer reviews. Each year more than 200 projects are reviewed, and fewer than 30 are accepted in the typical year.

APA Administration Directory - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA members may search and contact members of APA's administration in the Administration Directory.

APA Advocacy Alerts - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA Advocacy Alerts signs up to receive advocacy alerts and get the most up-to-date resources and tools to take action on legislation impacting psychiatry.

APA Audiobooks - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA Audiobooks are professionally voiced and recorded audiobooks to listen to your essential psychiatry titles available from your phone, tablet, or computer.

APA Communities - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA Communities host discussions between members and APA groups. Within your community, you can read announcements and read, reply and post discussions. 

APA Councils - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA has 13 councils and committees that are established by the Board of Trustees to implement APA's objectives. APA’s councils and committees are together known as components. Members of these APA components provide their expertise in the development of APA policy and resources for our membership and the profession.

• Council on Addiction Psychiatry
• Council on Advocacy and Government Relations
• Committee on Advocacy and Litigation Funding
• Council on Children, Adolescents, and Their Families
• Committee on Women's Mental Health
• Council on Communications
• Council on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
• Council on Geriatric Psychiatry
• Council on Healthcare Systems and Financing
• Committee on Reimbursement for Psychiatric Care
• Committee on Telepsychiatry
• Committee on RBRVS, Codes and Reimbursements
• Committee on Integrated Care
• Council on International Psychiatry and Global Health
• Chester M. Pierce Human Rights Award Committee
• Council on Medical Education and Lifelong Learning
• Committee on Innovation
• Vestermark Award Committee
• Committee on Well-Being and Burnout
• Scientific Program Committee of the Annual Meeting
• Scientific Program Committee of the Mental Health Service Conference
• Council on Minority Mental Health and Health Disparities
• Council on Psychiatry and Law
• Committee on Judicial Action
• Council on Quality Care
• Committee on Mental Health IT
• Committee on Quality and Performance Measurement
• Committee on Practice Guidelines
• Council on Research
• Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster
• Committee on Climate Change and Mental Health

APA District Branches & State Associations - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Members in the United States and Canada shall belong to the district branch as defined by a work or home address.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Canada
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Uniformed Services
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West-Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

APA Foundation - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) Foundation provides community-based programs designed to educate and empower. They are focused on removing barriers to mental health care, increasing public awareness and addressing the unmet needs of underserved populations where they live, learn, work, worship and play. As the charitable foundation of the American Psychiatric Association, they:

• Raise awareness and overcome barriers.
• Invest in the future leaders of psychiatry.
• Support research and training to improve mental health care.
• Lead partnerships to address public challenges in mental health.

With the backing of the APA, the world's leading psychiatric organization, our efforts are strengthened by research and designed to achieve results ensuring that we're making real impact, every step of the way.

APA Learning Centre - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The APA Learning Centre is a databases to find courses where you can filter by:

• Subject
• Topic
• Competency
• SubCore Competency
• Activity Type
• Credit Type
• Enrollment

APA Learning Centre - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The APA Learning Centre is a databases to find courses where you can filter by:

• Subject
• Topic
• Competency
• SubCore Competency
• Activity Type
• Credit Type
• Enrollment

APA Political Action Committee (APAPAC) - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA Political Action Committee (APAPAC) is the political arm of APA. Thdeir voice on Capitol Hill and how we get mental health champions elected to the U.S. Congress.

APA Publishing Journals - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA Publishing journals keep you current with the latest peer-reviewed research, editorials, and more.

• American Journal of Psychiatry: official Journal of the American Psychiatric Association
• American Journal of Psychotherapy
• FOCUS: the Journal of Lifelong Learning in PsychiatryEdited by Mark Hyman Rapaport, M.D.2022
• Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences: the Official Journal of the American Neuropsychiatric Associatio
• Psychiatric News: newspaper of the American Psychiatric Association
• Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice
• Psychiatric Services: a Journal of the American Psychiatric Association

Congressional Advocacy Network (CAN) - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

CAN is APA's political grassroots network. Their advocates connect with members of Congress to ensure that legislation is informed by constituent psychiatrists.

Council on Addiction Psychiatry - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Addiction Psychiatry provides psychiatric leadership in the growing field of prevention and treatment of addictive disorders. The council works to develop and clarify the role of the psychiatrist in the prevention and treatment of addictive disorders and formulates policy recommendations related to these disorders. The council cooperates with other APA bodies to enhance the quality of medical education in addictive disorders at all levels. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Consider important developments in basic knowledge, treatment, methodology, treatment systems, and related matters in the field of addictive disorders and dissemination of that knowledge
• Enhance the quality and quantity of medical education in addictive disorders at all educational levels, including undergraduate, residency, fellowship, and continuing medical education
• Provide additional liaison to medical, educational, consumer-interest, and governmental organizations interested in alcohol and other drug problems
• Collaborate with other councils and components of APA on common issues related to the role of psychiatry in addictive disorders to improve the quality of care and risk management for people with addictive disorders, to foster adequate research efforts and funding, and to foster adequate reimbursement for treatment
• Liaison with the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) to address mutual interests and priorities and advance shared goals

Council on Advocacy and Government Relations - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Advocacy and Government Relations advocates at the state and federal levels on all issues of importance to APA and the field of psychiatry. The council defines and recommends action to meet the mental health needs of veterans and military personnel and their families. The council serves as APA's coordinating body for all legislative activities and actively collaborates with allied groups to work toward the goal of improved quality of care and treatment. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Proactively analyze problems and anticipating needs for policies & planning strategies regarding current and anticipated legislative and political situations
• Assist the association to bring to fruition resolutions of issues critical to patients and psychiatrists traditionally functioning within public sector psychiatry and keeping the association abreast of emergent public psychiatric issues and next-generation issues
• Educate members on the identification of and the unique challenges facing military personnel, veterans, and their family members in community settings and existing barriers to their care
• Define and recommend action to meet the mental health needs of veterans and military personnel and their families
• Work with agencies that set policy on funding, access & quality of psychiatric services at the federal, state, and local levels to affect legislation, regulations, and guidelines
• Recognize, promote and support the efforts and expertise of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs psychiatrists in clinical, research, academic and administrative roles and develop methods for increasing their participation and leadership

Council on Children, Adolescents and Their Families - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Children, Adolescents, and Their Families works to advance the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with mental health problems. The council keeps psychiatric issues involving children and adolescents in the forefront of APA policy and works to assist general psychiatrists in learning more about treating or referring pediatric patients. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Work with other APA components to advise and assist on matters that impact the emotional lives of children and adolescents such as substance abuse and matters related to juvenile justice.
• Works to help maintain effective communication and collaboration between the APA and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
• Address the clinical care and provision of services of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities including autistic spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities.
• Work to increase the awareness of the prevalence and promote the prevention of all types of violence including the physical and exual abuse of children and spouse as well as other types of domestic abuse.
• Work to promote policies aimed at improving the awareness of mental health issues and the effectiveness of school based treatments within schools across all age ranges and settings.
• Help promote the identification, treatment, and prevention of mental health issues of infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children in collaboration with other professional organizations and related programs.
• Oversee the activities of the Blanche F. Ittleson Research Award Committee.
• Oversee the activities of Agnes Purcell McGavin Awards Selection Committee.
• Oversee the activities of the Council-appointed Child and Adolescent Fellowship Program Work Group.

Council on Communications - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Communications collaborates with the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and other APA departments to guide and enhance APA’s many activities in the dynamic field of communications. The council works to transform public attitudes toward psychiatry by establishing an emotional connection between the public and psychiatrists. It is the responsibility of the council to establish psychiatrists as the physician specialists with the most knowledge, training, and experience in the field of mental health and generate excitement about their ability to diagnose and treat mental illness. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Advise and assist the Office of Communications and Public Affairs in the development, implementation, and promotion of its advocacy initiatives and strategies, as they relate to public affairs.
• Understand the many diverse attitudes toward psychiatry among all cultural groups, and work to create approaches to improve attitudes about psychiatry.
• Review, advise, and cooperate with other Association components regarding issues affecting the public image of psychiatry and public understanding of mental illnesses and advocacy issues.
• Expand the Public Affairs Network both within and outside the APA and ensure bi-directional communications.
• Build coalitions at the local & national levels.
• Develop recommendations for the Board and the Assembly on public affairs implications of psychiatric practices, policies, communications, and developing public attitudes and trends.
• Identify and plan responses to "teachable moments" that occur during and after crises, news stories, and other psychiatrically relevant public situations.

Council on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry focuses on the psychiatric care of people who are medically ill. It recognizes that integration of biopsychosocial care is vital to the well-being of patients, and that full membership in the house of medicine is essential to the well-being of psychiatry. It accomplishes its goals by initiatives related to research, clinical care, education and health care policy. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership at the interface of psychiatry with other medical specialties.
• Provide training and education to psychiatrists and other physicians, residents (including psychiatric residents), and medical students at scientific meetings and in other settings about the special needs of those with psychiatric illness in medically ill and complex medically ill populations.
• Provide scientific and clinical expertise on issues surrounding comorbidities such as, but not limited to HIV psychiatry and integrated care.
• Advocate for the enhancement of training in consultation-liaison psychiatry in medical schools and residency training programs.
• Create educational materials about the needs of those with psychiatric illness in medically ill and complex medically ill populations and the role of psychiatry/psychiatrists in meeting those needs for medical and non-medical audiences.
• Work with other components and/or organizations on health care policy initiatives: the evaluation and design of delivery systems, models of care and payment mechanisms aimed at promoting high degrees of quality and cost-effectiveness in those with significant medical-psychiatric comorbidity.
• Support APA’s advocacy efforts to increase the funding of research in these areas.
• Support and/or lead ongoing efforts to improve the recruitment of psychiatrists into consultation-liaison psychiatry fellowship programs.

Council on Geriatric Psychiatry - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Geriatric Psychiatry focuses on the special mental health needs of older adults. The council’s work stands at the intersection of psychiatry and other medical specialties. It recognizes that integration of care is vital to the well-being of geriatric patients. The council accomplishes its goals by initiatives related to education, research, and clinical care in geriatric psychiatry. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership in geriatric psychiatry.
• Work collaboratively with other professional and advocacy groups to develop best practices in geriatric psychiatry.
• Provide education and training to other physicians (including, but not limited to psychiatrists), residents, and medical students at scientific meetings and in other settings about the special needs of geriatric populations with mental illness.
• Evaluate existing public policy, services, and third-party funding mechanisms for psychiatric care of older adults.
• Develop educational materials on the needs of persons who are mentally ill older adults and about the role of psychiatrists in meeting those needs. These materials may be targeted for medical and non-medical audiences.
• Support and/or lead ongoing efforts to improve the recruitment of psychiatrists into geriatric psychiatry fellowship programs.
• Identify and implement research into end-of-life issues and advance care planning, especially for people with mental illness, including populations of cultural, racial, and religious diversity.

Council on Healthcare Systems and Financing - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Healthcare Systems and Financing works to foster parity and nondiscriminatory mental health coverage by monitoring and participating in activities generated through state and federal agencies, private insurance carriers, and the business community at large. The council advocates for adequate funding and reimbursement for psychiatric and other mental health services and works to foster integration of psychiatric and mental health services with the delivery of primary care services. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Monitor and evaluate emerging trends in health care delivery and financing, including trends in both the public and private sector.
• Work closely with APA and its components in proposing changes or modifications in public and private policy affecting access, funding, and quality of psychiatric and mental health services nationally and regionally.
• Collaborate with other APA components involved in carrying out effective educational programs in the area of health care delivery and finance.
• Disseminate, broadly, information to the membership on developments relating to health care systems and financing through articles in Psychiatric News and other APA publications as well as through programs at the Annual Meeting and at regional meetings, as appropriate.

Council on International Psychiatry and Global Health - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on International Psychiatry and Global Health facilitates understanding of problems facing international psychiatrists and their patients. It does so by focusing on international membership in APA, and through increased membership in APA, availing all members of the opportunities in education, advocacy, prevention and clinical care that membership in APA provides. The Council brings to the mission of APA the global perspectives of individual, family, culture, and population-based approaches for understanding mental health well-being and the treatment and prevention of psychiatric illnesses. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• The Council works with APA leadership and other national and international organizations to increase the international membership of the APA.
• The Council assists APA in developing partnerships with other organizations to foster the development or expansion of financially beneficial or self-sustaining international programs of use to APA members and their patients.
• The Council supports the transformation of psychiatric education to include knowledge and skills needed for psychiatric practice and research in global settings. These include skills for population-based research and prevention strategies, as well as skills for engaging remote populations across gaps of language, culture, and social exclusion.
• The Council assists APA in ensuring that APA policies and positions on international issues are current and appropriate including those affecting global and population health.
• The Council will collaborate with other APA Councils to develop global strategies for research, mental healthcare finance, and individual, family and population level psychiatric models.
• The Council promotes human rights advocacy as an essential pathway to mental health and recognizes that there can be no mental health when human rights are violated.

Council on Medical Education and Lifelong Learning - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Medical Education and Lifelong Learning monitors emerging issues and supports the development of resources and programs for psychiatric education in the United States at every level. These efforts include premedical education, medical education, graduate medical education for residents and fellows in psychiatry (both basic education and subspecialty areas), psychiatry aspects of graduate medical education for other medical specialties, and postgraduate continuing medical education and lifelong learning. The council advises and assists APA’s Division of Education in the development, implementation, and promotion of its education programs and initiatives. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Oversee planning, coordinating, and evaluating all continuing medical education efforts and activities of APA.
• Identify emerging issues related to undergraduate medical education and assist in developing effective, appropriate psychiatric education for all future physicians.
• Support medical student recruitment into psychiatry.
• Provide recommendations regarding all aspects of graduate medical education in psychiatry, including the development of the highest quality psychiatric training program planning, curriculum, and career development; and residency teaching and interface with medical student education, primary care, and other medical specialty education and post-residency fellowship training.
• Support APA's response to proposed changes in the ACGME Essentials and the Special Requirements for Psychiatry and subspecialty programs.
• Work alongside other APA components and divisions on issues related to all levels of psychiatric education.

Council on Minority Mental Health and Health Disparities - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Minority Mental Health and Health Disparities represents and advocates for both minority and underserved populations and psychiatrists from those groups. The council seeks to reduce mental health disparities in clinical services and research, which disproportionately affect women and minority populations. The council aims to promote the recruitment and development of psychiatrists from minority and underrepresented groups both within the profession and in APA. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Increase awareness and understanding of cultural diversity and to foster the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills in the areas of cultural competence through consultation, education, and advocacy within both the APA and the field of psychiatry and public policy.
• In cooperation with other appropriate APA components, enhance the quality and quantity of medical education in addictive disorders, at all educational levels, including undergraduate, residency, fellowship, and continuing medical education
• Develop psychiatric leadership from minority and underrepresented groups both within the profession of psychiatry and in APA.

Council on Psychiatry and Law - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Psychiatry and Law’s principal responsibility is to evaluate legal developments of national significance, proposed legislation, regulations, and other government intervention that will affect the practice of psychiatry. The council focuses on legislation, regulation, and case law that has the potential to influence the provision, quality, or availability of mental health care and services, alter the psychiatrist-patient relationship, affect confidentiality or the rights of patients, or otherwise regulate the practice of psychiatry in the public or private sector. Additional areas of attention include child forensic psychiatry, corrections, assessment of violence risk, and psychiatric issues that reflect international concerns. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Make recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding appellate cases in which APA should participate as amicus or support DB/SA participation as amicus, based on input from the Committee on Judicial Action.
• Make recommendations concerning pending legislation that may affect effective psychiatric treatment, research and training.
• Prepare model statutes for district branch use.
• Draft appropriate statements, resource documents, and recommendations for APA policy.

Council on Quality Care - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Quality Care monitors developments and carries out activities to ensure that the highest standards and quality of care remain integral parts of the APA mission. The council oversees various fellowships and components such as committees, task forces, and work groups that fall within its purview. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Monitor and participate in initiatives and disseminate information in the following areas:
• Quality indicators (national quality measurement enterprise)
• Standards and survey procedures (national accrediting bodies)
• Psychotherapy by psychiatrists
• Patient safety
• Practice guidelines
• Electronic health records

Council on Research - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Council on Research carries out activities to ensure that the substance and significance of research on mental health/illness remain integral parts of the APA mission and in the forefront of the national health agenda. The council embodies APA’s commitment to advance evidence-based psychiatric knowledge across a broad range of research fields and issues. Highlights of responsibilities include:

• Recognize psychiatrist researchers who have made significant contributions to psychiatric knowledge and practice.
• Establish task forces in response to emerging needs relevant to the council.
• Advance evidence-based knowledge across a broad spectrum of issues, including but not limited to basic science, clinical diagnosis and assessment, treatment research, research training, health services, prevention research and research ethics

Diagnosis and labeling of mental health and illness - Mindfreedom International

Contemporary and historical approaches to the art of mental health diagnosis:

• Psychiatry: Medical Fraud or Incompetence: this artricle is a critique of psychiatry’s diagnostic practices, extracted from the work of Bonnie Sigren Busick, RN, MA and Martha Gorman originally published in 1986, delving into issues surrounding the fact that there are (still, to this day) no evidence of biochemical markers, biological tests, or hard evidence to “prove” the existence of “mental illness.”
• Psych meds drove my son crazy: a Salon.com article by Ann Bauer, in which she describes a story of hope and recovery in the wake of her son’s experiences with depression and psychiatric misdiagnosis.
• Rethinking the Potential of the Brain in Major Psychiatric Disorders: this article, by Steven Morgan, is a critical reevaluation of the theory that the brain is permanantly diseasedin psychiatric disorders, and an exploration of the role that neuroplasticity plays in healing and reviving its functioning. It was published in February 2008
• Psychiatric leaders note lack of science for psychiatric theories: a MindFreedom member forwards these quotes from leaders in the psychiatric profession who point out that science is still lacking for the neurobiological theories in the mental health field that many falsely assume have been proven.
• Pathologizing Your Period” by Paula Caplan, Ms. Magazine, December 2008: psychologist and author Paula Caplan, a long-time member of MindFreedom International, examines the fraud and sexism involved in creating psychiatry’s “label bible,” it’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
•  Should bitterness become a mental disorder: tn the magazine Psychology Today, Professor Christopher Lane has a brief essay skewering one of the latest misadventures of the psychiatric industry, in which the American Psychiatric Association is seriously considering adding “bitterness” to one of their so-called scientific list of labels. Why not just add “dissent” and be done with it? Professor Lane is the author of Shyness: How Normal Behavior Became a Sickness.
• EleMental – First USA Meeting: the first meeting in the United States of EleMental, an international organization introducing and developing the elements of Recovery and Thriving. 
• Mental health Trojan horse – It’s enough to make anyone sick: the conservative newspaper Washington Times published this guest column by two professors concerned that psychiatry’s unscientific labeling may harm attempts to implement universal health care in the USA.
• Dr. Allen Frances: “Vocal Opposition” to MindFreedom Protest: Dr. Allen Frances was a key architect of the current American Psychiatric Association “label bible” the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV). Dr. Frances became one of the main critics of APA’s proposed DSM 5. But a MindFreedom investigation revealed that – behind the scenes – Dr. Frances has “vocally oppose” the protest led by psychiatric survivors in front of the APA on 5 May 2012.

DSM-5-TRâ„¢ Collection - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR™), is the most comprehensive, current, and critical resource for clinical practice available to today's mental health clinicians and researchers. 

Early Intervention in Psychiatry - International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA)

Early Intervention in Psychiatry focuses on the early diagnosis and treatment of all mental health problems and disorders and promotes the importance of early intervention in psychiatric practice. Articles across the full range of psychiatric disorders are welcomed, including schizophrenia and other psychoses, mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders and personality disorders, as well as the underlying epidemiological, biological, psychological and social mechanisms that influence the onset of these disorders. Papers in the following fields will be considered: diagnostic issues, psychopathology, clinical epidemiology, biological mechanisms, treatments and other forms of intervention, clinical trials, health services and economic research and mental health policy.

Early Intervention in Psychiatry publishes original research articles and reviews dealing with the early recognition, diagnosis and treatment across the full range of mental and substance use disorders, as well as the underlying epidemiological, biological, psychological and social mechanisms that influence the onset and early course of these disorders. The journal provides comprehensive coverage of early intervention for the full range of psychiatric disorders and mental health problems, including schizophrenia and other psychoses, mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders and personality disorders. Papers in any of the following fields are considered: diagnostic issues, psychopathology, clinical epidemiology, biological mechanisms, treatments and other forms of intervention, clinical trials, health services and economic research and mental health policy. Special features are also published, including hypotheses, controversies and snapshots of innovative service models.

In contrast with mainstream healthcare, early diagnosis and intervention has come late to the field of psychiatry. Early Intervention in Psychiatry creates a common forum for researchers and clinicians with an interest in the early phases of a wide range of disorders to share ideas, experience and data. This journal not only fills a gap, but also creates a new frontier in academic and clinical psychiatry.

Federal Affairs - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The APA Department of Government Relations and Division of Policy, Programs, and Partnerships staff advise Congress, the White House, and federal agencies on issues of significance to psychiatry. Representing the interests of psychiatrists, our patients, and their families, APA advocates on a wide range of legislative and regulatory initiatives. Additionally, APA's Political Action Committee, APAPAC, works to elect Members of Congress who demonstrate support for psychiatry and mental health.

Find a Psychiatrist - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Find a Psychiatrist is a database of psychiatrists that can be searched by zip code, state, city or country

Forensic Psychiatry and Prison Mental Health - Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry (fGIP)

Forensic Psychiatry and Prison Mental Health is a program that focuses on the whole chain of necessary forensic and prison mental health interventions, starting with prevention (e.g. of juvenile delinquency), crisis services and forensic psychiatric assessment, forensic psychiatric treatment of prison mental health services in places of detention, rehabilitation and resocialization of forensic psychiatric patients and, last but not least, all aspects related to social integration. Additionally, in most of the countries where we are active we are increasingly involved in policy development.

Implementing 9-8-8 - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Implementing 9-8-8 is the nationwide mental health crisis and suicide prevention number. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of approximately 170 local- and state-funded crisis centers. 

JobCentral - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

JobCentral is a database for people to search the next career opportunity in psychiatry.

Meet The Resident Psychiatrist - Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan

Mental Healkth in Human Rights-FGIP - Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry (fGIP)

Mental Healkth in Human Rights-FGIP is involved in work in a variety of areas of mental health with a particular focus on human rights issues. GIP takes a comprehensive approach to its work in each of its program areas. This is because, in the case of mental health afflictions, it is particularly important to address the problems not just of the patients, but their families and broader social environments, as well as the overarching social, political and legal factors that can hinder or facilitate effective care, support and integration. Their commitment to comprehensive change means that we pay close attention to cross-cutting themes such as increased user and family involvement, community care and attention to human rights. They approach also involves working step-by-step to empower and equip those we work with with more progressive methods and tools.

Minority and Underrepresented (M/UR) Caucuses - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA members may join Minority and Underrepresented (M/UR) Caucuses by updating caucus memberships in the member dashboard. The M/UR caucuses provide networking opportunities, advance treatment of minority patient populations, advocate for minority mental health issues, provide representation in APA governance, and foster communication among members who share interests There are caucuses for the following groups:

• American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian
• Asian-American
• Black
• Hispanic
• International Medical Graduates
• LGBTQ
• Women

New Standard of Care Fund - The Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care

New Standard of Care Fund is developing a new standard of care in psychiatry and psychology is an imperative in today’s world. An International Society for Ethical Psychology and Psychiatry effort with the goal of identifying, studying and promoting safe, humane approaches to helping those with mental disorders. Examples of such approaches are psychotherapy, residences based on the Soteria model, non-drug help for persons in early psychosis, peer support and other recovery-based approaches. 

ISEPP’s New Standard of Care Fund will support various efforts to find, explore, study, understand and promote safe, humane, life-enhancing approaches to helping persons with mental health challenges. In general, this means approaches which do not use psychotropic drugs as the primary treatment but, rather, use drugs very judiciously, for very limited periods of time and only as an adjunct to other forms of treatment. Examples of other approaches are:

Various forms of psychotherapy

Residences based on the Soteria model

Non-pharmaceutical help for persons in early psychosis such as the Open Dialogue approach

Supported employment, housing and education

Support groups such as the Hearing Voices Network

Peer support and

Other recovery-based approaches.

Also important to recovery are programs that help with employment, relationships, education, housing, exercise, nutrition and other issues of living.

Pennsylvania Telephonic Psychiatric Consultation Service Program (TiPS) - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

TiPS is a Pennsylvania HealthChoices program designed to increase the availability of child psychiatry consultation teams, regionally and by phone, to primary care providers (PCPs) and other prescribers of psychotropic medications. The program is available for children insured by Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Program. TiPS provides real-time, peer-to-peer resources to the PCPs who need immediate consultative advice for children (up to age 21) with behavioral health concerns. TiPS psychiatrists do not prescribe medications. There is one TiPS team in each of the five HealthChoices zones in Pennsylvania. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides consultation to providers in the Southeast Zone. Once your practice enrolls in TiPS, your regional team will come to your office or provide education over the phone for you and your staff. They will explain the program, how to access services, answer questions, and discuss expectations.

• View our online enrollment form
• Regional TiPS teams
• HealthChoices Southeast Zone — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: 267-426-1776
• HealthChoices Northeast and Lehigh/Capital — Penn State Children’s Hospital: 800-233-4082
• HealthChoices Southwest and Northwest — Children’s Community Pediatrics: 844-972-8477

Second Opinion Psychiatry Service - Action of Postpartum Psychosis (APP)

The Cardiff University Psychiatry Service (CUPS) offers second opinion or consultation to patients, with the aim of assisting and advising clinicians and their patients in diagnosis and management. Requests for a second opinion must be made by the doctor in charge of the care of an individual’s mental health.

The AACP Fund - The Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care

The AACP Fund was established by the American Association of Community Psychiatrists “to encourage, equip and empower community and public psychiatrists to develop and implement policies and high-quality practices that promote individual, family and community resilience and recovery.” AACP members’ approach to psychiatric care reflects an inclusive public health perspective that recognizes the diverse settings and continuum of service needs of their patients who may be of any age, diagnosis, or economic circumstances. They are committed to excellence in public care in both inpatient and community settings; to promoting training and research to increase the number of well-qualified psychiatrists choosing careers in community settings; and to educating the public about the vital role of the community mental health system in the wellness of not only persons with mental health challenges but of the whole community.

The AACP, in conjunction with the APA and with support from SAMHSA, has developed a modular curriculum for psychiatrists, which explores all the significant aspects of recovery oriented care.  The goal over the next several years is to assure that the curriculum is widely disseminated and embedded in residency training and continuing medical education programs.  Each module is followed by a discussion of the issues it has raised, facilitated by a psychiatrist and a person with lived experience.  The development of a geographically diverse array of facilitator pairs for regional training capacity is essential to the success of this project, and with the expiration of the initial grant, we will need additional resources to accomplish this goal.

The AACP works in other ways to further the agenda of developing a psychiatric workforce that is prepared and capable of dealing with the challenges presented by this work and providing high quality care to diverse populations.  It has developed a certification process through which qualified and well trained community psychiatrists can have their skills recognized.  Through this process, and several related activities, the AACP has been the standard bearer for the field.  Programming has also been developed to provide support and resources to practicing psychiatrists and their organizations which allow them to maximize the value of psychiatric time.  The AACP is quite active in nurturing the interests and ideals of those students and trainees who might enter the field to serve the needs of often neglected segments of our society.

The American Psychiatric Association Publishing Textbooks - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Textbooks from American Psychiatric Association Publishing feature sound scholarship and expert knowledge. The American Psychiatric Association Publishing Textbooks are an indispensable reference and resource for clinical care. 

The APA Assembly - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The APA Assembly represents and serves the needs of the district branches (DBs) and state associations (SAs) and recommends actions to the Board of Trustees. To ensure a wide range of voices and ideas, representatives of the Assembly are selected regionally and by special groups determined by the Assembly. The APA Assembly consists of representatives from the DB/SAs and includes resident-fellows, early-career psychiatrists, minority and underrepresented (M/UR) psychiatrists, and representatives from allied organizations approved by the Assembly. Each DB/SA elects its representatives to the Assembly through its own election process. The Assembly is officiated by a Speaker, Speaker-Elect and Recorder and governed by a Procedural Code of the Assembly (.pdf). The American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure is used to maintain order during Assembly meetings.

• Find Your Representative  
• Assembly Directory
• Component Directory
• Member Directory
• Minority and Underrepresented (M/UR) Caucuses

The APA Department of Government Relations - American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The APA Department of Government Relations provides assistance to District Branches/State Associations on state legislative and regulatory affairs. Activities include tracking health care legislation, serving as a clearinghouse for best lobbying practices and model legislation, and providing on-site strategic assistance and grassroots training.

• Model State Legislation for Private Insurance Coverage of Telemedicine: the federal government, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia have taken action to further insurance coverage of telemedicine since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency. With states reopening, there have been concerns that some of these positive changes such as payment parity with in-person visits, might be revoked. APA listened to the needs of members and patients and developed model telemedicine language for states. Learn more about APA's efforts and view the model legislation here.
• Model Parity Legislation: APA has created parity-implementation legislation for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, designed to require transparency and accountability from insurers and state regulators. Each state has legislation that is tailored specifically for that state's terminology and formatting. Download the adapted legislation for your state.
• Model Collaborative Care Legislation: APA has created legislation that would increase access to mental healthcare by having private insurers reimburse Collaborative Care billing codes. Legislation has been drafted for all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is designed to be a positive legislative solution for addressing access to care while being budget-neutral for the state. Each state has legislation that is tailored specifically for that state's terminology and formatting. Download the adapted legislation for your state.
• Non-Physician Scope of Practice Advocacy: learn more about APA's work to confront state legislative efforts by psychologists and other healthcare professionals to gain prescribing privileges. Please contact the APA Director of State Government Relations to discuss Scope of Practice concerns in your state through advocacy@psych.org.
• Medicaid Work Requirements: Section 1115 of the Social Security Act authorizes states to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for waivers of certain Medicaid rules through demonstration projects that advance the objectives of the Medicaid program. On January 11, 2018, CMS issued new guidance for states seeking to tie Medicaid benefits to employment or other forms of community engagement for non-elderly, non-disabled adult Medicaid beneficiaries who are eligible for Medicaid on a basis other than disability. Explore our member-only resources on Medicaid work requirements.
• District Branch Grant Information: the Committee on Advocacy and Litigation Funding (CALF) has the responsibility of reviewing requests, usually from District Branches/ State Associations, for financial support of projects involving legislation, litigation, and advocacy; of making recommendations regarding funding to the Board of Trustees; and of proposing coordinated activity by other APA components or District Branches/State Associations. CALF reports to the Council on Advocacy and Government Relations (CAGR). CAGR, in turn, makes recommendations through the Joint Reference Committee to the Board of Trustees where a funding decision is made.

The Behavioral Health Integrated Program (BHIP) - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The Behavioral Health Integrated Program (BHIP) is a consultation liaison service that provides behavioral health services to children who are hospitalized for medical illnesses. Clinicians are available for inpatient psychiatric and psychological consultation/evaluation and brief treatment. Referrals to this service come from the patient’s attending physician. Issues often addressed on our service include:

• Urgent assessment and intervention, and safety planning with mental health crises
• Evaluation, medication management and brief, evidence-based intervention for mental health needs
• Evaluation and intervention for eating disorders
• Intervention for behavioral or emotional concerns that interfere with medical treatment
• Assessment of organic mental health syndromes that result in alteration of mental status
• Evaluation and treatment of unexplained physical symptoms that may be a result of psychological processes

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation - American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation was established by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry to raise awareness of psychiatric and mental health disorders affecting the elderly, eliminate the stigma of mental illness and treatment, promote healthy aging strategies, and increase access to quality mental health care for the elderly. The Foundation's vision for America's aging population includes increased public awareness of the importance of mental health in the aging population, removal of stigmas for those seeking mental health services, increased access to quality mental health care for the elderly and the promotion of healthy aging strategies for all seniors, family caregivers, and others devoted to the overall health of our communities.

The Foundation focuses on public education targeted to the health care consumer and family caregiver about mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment. The Foundation develops programs to enhance communication and foster broad collaboration between the geriatric mental health research community, mental health care providers, and the general public. Programmatic themes include public education on depression and the elderly (including depression among caregivers), public education on the behavioral aspects of Alzheimer's and other dementias, reducing the stigma of mental illness in the aging population, prevention strategies for mental illness in the elderly including prevention of suicide and healthy aging and promotion of strong mental health among older people. The Foundation will promote these themes through:

• Development and dissemination of consumer information
• Partnerships with government, private, community and consumer organizations
• Public information campaigns
• Evidence-based tool kits to enhance consumer empowerment and
• The promotion of quality care in long-term care settings.

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation is the only existing foundation solely devoted to mental health and aging. It is uniquely positioned through the collaboration of health care providers and health care consumers to advance mental health and aging issues. Established by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP), the Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors that includes physicians, psychologists, consumers, and advocates. The Foundation is supported by financial contributions from AAGP members, corporations, foundations, and individuals committed to improving the mental health of the elderly. 

The Neuropsychology and Assessment Service - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The Neuropsychology and Assessment Service at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides evaluation and consultation services for children with specific medical disorders. The purpose of a neuropsychological evaluation is to understand how medical conditions or treatments involving the brain or central nervous system affect the person’s development, including impacts on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. We work with patients from infancy through young adulthood. They manage or diagnose neurocognitive effects associated with medical conditions including, as major categories and examples:

• Brain tumor and other childhood cancers
• Central nervous system infection
• Cerebral palsy
• Cerebrovascular disease or stroke
• Craniofacial conditions
• Demyelinating disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, ADEM)
• Epilepsy
• Genetic/metabolic disorders
• Heart disease (e.g., congenital heart disease, heart failure, heart transplant)
• Hydrocephalus
• Hypoxic or anoxic brain injury
• Mitochondrial disorders
• Neurotoxic exposures
• Spina bifida
• Traumatic brain injury

Neuropsychologists evaluate cognitive skills such as attention, learning, memory, language, reasoning and problem solving, perceptual and sensory/motor functions. This helps us understand brain functioning in the course of development and evaluate the potential need for interventions to support development. They also evaluate psychological, emotional, and behavioral factors which may be associated with patients’ medical conditions and can help differentiate between cognitive problems that arise from medical conditions and those that arise from other causes. They provide a number of different services, including comprehensive and targeted neuropsychological evaluations as well as neuropsychological consultation. Their goal is to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, answer questions you have about your child’s cognitive functioning, and make treatment and service recommendations to help your child reach their full potential.

The New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) - The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

The New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) integratse teaching, research and therapeutic approaches to the care of patients with mental illnesses. NYSPI is at the forefront of psychiatry, making major contributions to the clinical care and understanding of the mentally ill. Among these accomplishments are:

• The discovery of the spirochaetal origin of general paresis
• The earliest use of lithium in the United States
• The first data describing a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia
• Leadership in the discovery of the genes causing Huntington's and Wilson's disease and
• The development of DSM-III, DSM III-R and DSM-IV.