New School Year Signals Start Of APA Alliance Essay Contest

As in past years the arrival of autumn and a new school year signals that the APA Alliance’s national high-school essay competition, “When Not to Keep a Secret,” is again off and running.

This year’s competition will be the fourth, and each year the competition seems to get bigger and better, thanks not only to the APA Alliance’s hard work, but also to APA members’ extensive support and generous funding by the American Psychiatric Foundation.

The kickoff of this year’s competition includes a catchy poster that pictures winners of the last three national competitions and that gives details about this year’s competition (see illustration). The poster will be sent to APA district branches, teachers, and other interested parties, such as the American Medical Association Alliance chapters.

Topics that essay competitors can write about this year have been broadened, so that they do not have to focus on teen depression and suicide, but can address any mental health issue that affects the lives of young people—say, eating disorders or relationship violence. Also, the competition continues to garner increasing recognition from the media, where radio and cable television programs cited the contest (Psychiatric News, July 6), and from educators. For instance, the San Diego Board of Education signed a resolution in August that recognizes the competition not only for its health and literary value, but for its civic value. “This was a big score for us,” APA Alliance President Alicia Muñoz told Psychiatric News.

More information about this year’s essay competition can be found on the APA Alliance’s Web site at www.apaalliance.org. ▪