Join in the APA Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Celebration!

In a column published in Psychiatric News 30 years ago, Elissa Benedek, M.D., then president of the APA Foundation (APAF), wrote that the Foundation’s work supports “the development of public and professional activities to advance education and research in psychiatry, increase public awareness of psychiatric illness, and improve access to treatment.”

While APAF’s mission has evolved over time, its core values have remained the same. Throughout the past 30 years, it has worked diligently to improve awareness of mental health issues and overcome barriers to care.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, APAF is hosting a benefit during APA’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans on the Riverboat Louis Armstrong, known as the largest event venue on the Mississippi River. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and spend time with APA leaders, colleagues, and friends, all while enjoying the region’s unique cuisine, entertainment, and culture.

APAF’s work has become even more important as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and people across the country struggle with mental health issues, burnout, and other challenges. “We have been presented with no shortage of challenges, but also with some significant opportunities to help people take their first steps toward better mental health and well-being in new and innovative ways,” said Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., APAF’s executive director.

In his introduction to Benedek’s column in Psychiatric News, then president Joseph T. English, M.D., wrote that APAF was helping the field of psychiatry in “moving ahead and planning for the future.” Even as it looks back over the past 30 years, APAF is working toward the future, and Andrews pointed to several APAF programs that he expects to flourish during its next 30 years.

For example, APAF Center for Workplace Mental Health has become a vital resource for Fortune 500 companies, government employers, and academic institutions, on and offline, who are trying to improve workplace mental health. The Notice. Talk. Act. at School program has reached 166 schools across 42 states to help faculty and staff members recognize signs of distress among thousands of students and connect them to resources when appropriate. Finally, APAF’s fellowship programs have produced a number of today’s leaders in psychiatry—an important mission as the need for such leaders is exponentially increasing, Andrews said.

“The mental health crisis that existed before the pandemic has become even more urgent now, and APAF has stepped up to meet the need with programs to support mental health in communities across the country,” said Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., APA’s CEO and medical director and chair of APAF Board of Directors. “APAF’s benefit and anniversary celebration will provide an excellent opportunity to relax with colleagues in a beautiful setting while reflecting on the incredible work that APAF has accomplished over the past 30 years.”

Proceeds from the benefit will be used to support APAF’s programs and initiatives, all of which embody APA’s tradition of working to increase access to high-quality care for all people with mental disorders. ■

The benefit will be held Monday, May 23, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Information on purchasing tickets is available here.

More information about APAF’s programs is posted here. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation at this site.