APA Launches Campaign to ‘Engage’ Members in Mental Health Policy

APA’s Department of Government Relations has initiated a project called Engage 2014—a grassroots campaign encouraging APA members to advocate on behalf of issues important to the mental health community until Election Day, which is November 4.

“Many members of the House and Senate are vigilant about tracking constituents’ views and incorporating those views into their decision-making,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “By taking advantage of this opportunity to educate lawmakers and raising awareness about our policy issues, we are increasing the chances that our voice will be heard.”

To get members involved in the Engage 2014 campaign, APA is providing members with a list of opportunities that will allow them to interact with legislators. Among them

Some APA district branches, such as the North Carolina Psychiatric Association (NCPA), for example, have already taken action to ensure that their members are engaged in the political process. “We knew that we had two upcoming events at which Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) would be present in North Carolina,” NCPA Executive Director Robin Huffman told Psychiatric News. With the help of APA’s Department of Government Relations, Huffman stressed that NCPA was able to provide area psychiatrists with talking points, a summary of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act sponsored by Murphy, as well as letters sent from APA to Murphy regarding the specifics of his bill.

“We prepared our physicians to ensure that they were comfortable in relaying issues of mental health care to a member of Congress,” a process that can be intimidating to some psychiatrists, Huffman noted.

Charles Price, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at the University of Nevada, Reno, praised the efforts of APA in the new grassroots initiative and said he is elated that a stage has been set for more members to use APA as a bridge that can facilitate communication between the realms of psychiatry and legislation.

“I’ve been advocating for the psychiatric community for 15 years,” Price said in an interview with Psychiatric News. “APA has been an incredible facilitator in my involvement on both the federal and state level.” With the help of APA, Price stated, he has had the opportunity to be a voice for issues concerning stigma, mental health care within the Veterans Health Administration, and laws promoting mental health parity.

“It’s important for us all to pick up the banner of advocating for our patients. It’s time consuming, but it is something that needs to be done,” Price emphasized. “The good thing is that we do not have to do all the homework. If we reach out to our APA district branches and national office, they can pave the way for us to ensure that the needs of our patients are taken into consideration on Capitol Hill.” ■

Become “engaged” today by signing up here. More information about Engage 2014 can be accessed here.