Residents’ Journal: An Opportunity to Get Involved

There has never been a more critical time to stand united on the frontlines of our medical specialty. The field of psychiatry is faced with many challenges and opportunities as we begin to embrace health care reform, tackle unprecedented neuropsychiatric questions, and directly address the battle against mental health stigma. As trainees, we are asked to learn about and contribute to these growing efforts while fulfilling our role as healers in a world burdened with psychiatric illness. We do this at a time when public interest in mental health issues is at an all-time high. Media coverage of public shootings and violence has increased, pulling at our heartstrings and testing our reserve. What can we do to answer the call for help?

We can get involved. We can write. We can actively learn. We can participate in thoughtful discussions meant to push the boundaries of our mental capacities. We can cultivate the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal into more than just a monthly publication; we can create a reliable forum in which some of psychiatry’s most challenging issues are addressed. We welcome your thoughts, your passion, and—most of all—your literary contributions and feedback as we stand in solidarity to strengthen our collective voice.

The 2014-2015 Editorial Board has been expanded to accommodate the tremendous growth of the Residents’ Journal. We are pleased to introduce Senior Deputy Editor Dr. Rajiv Radhakrishnan and Deputy Editor Dr. Tobias Wasser, who work closely with Editor-in-Chief Dr. Misty Richards on issue content, manuscript editing, and development of the overall vision of the Residents’ Journal.

Drs. Ijeoma Chukwu of the University of California, Irvine, and Kathy Mary Patchan of the University of Maryland work as associate editors, whose efforts focus largely on manuscript recruitment and editing. Finally, we have Dr. Holly Peek of Tulane University, our media editor, who manages external relations, advertising, and expanding the journal’s social-media presence.

Our collective efforts are built on the strong foundation laid by former Residents’ Journal leadership and sustained by the dedicated editorial and administrative staff of the American Journal of Psychiatry. For their tireless efforts, we are thankful.

Together, we hope to work closely with medical students, residents, and fellows to bolster the AJP Residents’ Journal, the largest and most robust resident-led journal in the house of medicine.

There are several ways for trainees to get involved. The first and most welcomed is by contributing scholarly work! The following list describes the article types published in the Residents’ Journal; greatest preference is given to original research studies, review articles, and clinical case conferences:

Other opportunities for involvement include becoming a peer reviewer or guest section editor for one month’s issue. If interested, please contact Richards at [email protected].

We welcome your thoughts, submissions, and feedback as we stand in solidarity to strengthen our collective voice. Join us and be a part of the change. ■