Collaboration Key to Psychiatry’s Future and a Mentally Healthy Nation, Levin Says

“Collaboration, innovation, and leadership are key components of progress for psychiatry and for the future of mental health care in America,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., citing the theme of this year’s APA Annual Meeting, at the Annual Meeting’s Opening Session.

“It seems like just yesterday that we were here in San Francisco celebrating the 175th anniversary of our Association back in 2019, where we celebrated our past,” Levin recalled. “The events of the past few years have underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and of claiming our future as experts in the connection between mind, body, and brain.”

Levin said this year’s presidential theme is a timely one. “In order to chart the best course for our future, we must collaborate with other medical specialties and outside groups; pursue and embrace innovative treatments, technologies, and solutions to persistent problems; and motivate our members and psychiatrists everywhere in the world to take a leadership role in affecting positive change in our profession,” he said.

Collaboration is especially important, he said, noting that most patients who need care for mental or substance use disorders first find care in an emergency department or primary care setting. “For years we have espoused the benefits of the collaborative care model and the potential they have for addressing the immense demand of mental health care, reducing costs, and improving outcomes for our patients,” Levin said. “Integrated health systems that emphasize the total health of a patient are the way forward.”

Levin used the occasion to introduce a major APA Foundation campaign titled “Mental Health Care Works,” dedicated to encouraging Americans to seek treatment for mental and substance use disorders when they need it.

“Our goal for this campaign is to reinforce the idea that the work that psychiatrists do every day is essential to the health and well-being of our nation … and that it is courageous and life-affirming to seek it out.” He added that achieving a mentally healthy nation is well worth the investment of whatever time and money are necessary.

“We must emphasize that no one is immune from mental health challenges, nor is anyone beyond help,” he said. “By embracing our humanity and promoting community, we can socialize the idea that mental illness and addiction are not moral failings, but are treatable illnesses like any other physical ailment.”

Levin reminded attendees of several positive trends for APA—membership numbers are trending upward, with more than 38,000 psychiatrists, and the association is more diverse in race, gender, and geography.

“We are embracing and supporting this change, as it is a reflection of the ever-diversifying patient population in our country,” Levin said. He hailed especially the place of international medical graduates (IMGs) in American psychiatry. “I myself am an IMG and am heartened to see how invested our members are in ensuring that their colleagues who are IMGs feel supported and are able to integrate into our system successfully,” he said.

He emphasized that principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are inseparable from APA’s mission as a medical association.

“Equality and health equity cannot truly happen unless we address the social determinants of health and mental health that cause and worsen barriers and gaps in care,” he said. “These principles are our guiding light as we work to support and facilitate diversity in our profession and improve access to high-quality mental health care for minority and underrepresented groups, including women and the LGBTQ+ community.” ■