Special Lectures to Explore Key Issues Facing Psychiatry

Thanks to the wonderful resources available in and near New York City and the breadth of interests represented on the Scientific Program Committee of APA's Institute on Psychiatric Services (IPS), we have a remarkably diverse plate of lectures awaiting you this fall.

Here are just some of the lectures you can attend: Paula Panzer, M.D., will discuss a community agency's focus on trauma, which speaks directly to the theme of the conference, “Trauma and Violence in Our Communities”; Mark Olfson, M.D., will discuss antidepressant medication and suicidality; Jeffrey Lieberman, M.D., will summarize the CATIE study's findings on antipsychotic drugs; Saun Eack, M.S.W., will present a lecture for Gerard hogarty, who died after he had accepted the invitation to discuss the evolution of psychosocial treatment; and Kenneth Kendler, M.D., will give an overview of'psychiatric genetics.

Several lecturers will discuss social issues that impact the world of community practice: Ellen Haller, M.D., and Susan Vaughn, M.D., will discuss lesbian and gay families; Franklin Kameny and Barbara Gittings will discuss gay pride and its relationship to health; Annelle Primm, M.D., will present research findings on disparities in mental health; Ned Cassem, M.D., will discuss psychiatry and spirituality at the end of life; Paul Appelbaum, M.D., will discuss behavioral genetics and its impact on preventing crime and punishing offenders; Laurie Flynn, former executive director of NAMI, will discuss the “anti-screening” movement; and my friend Sanho Tree will discuss toxic illnesses, deforestation, homelessness, and other collateral damage of the war on drugs.

Leon Eisenberg, M.D., will treat us to a history lecture on Benjamin Rush and the yellow fever epidemic, while others will talk about the future of psychiatry, including Charles Nemeroff, M.D., on psychiatry in the next millennium; Herbert Pardes, M.D., on prospects for psychiatric care in the future; and Bernard Aarons, M.D., on services and science—“shall the twain ever meet?”

Others will grapple with daunting policy issues in psychiatry, including Thomas Wise, M.D., who will discuss whether the subspecialty of psychosomatic psychiatry is needed; Neal Cohen, M.D., on the public health challenge for psychiatry; and Lloyd Sederer, M.D., on meeting the mental health needs of New York City.

Two other lecturers will anticipate the fabulous celebration Recovery on Saturday night by addressing the pressing policy issue of bringing the mental health field in line with federal policies regarding the recovery movement in mental health and transforming the mental health system. The talk by Mark Raggins, M.D., will provide an articulate first-person narrative on becoming a recovery-oriented psychiatrist, and Katherine Power, director of the Center for Mental Health Services in SAMHSA, will address the issues of recovery and trauma, thus returning to the IPS theme chosen by APA President Pedro Ruiz, M.D.

Please do look over the lectures and partake of this treasure trove of good ideas and thoughtful discussions. We are very fortunate to attract such a prominent group of leaders in mental health and related fields who are willing to give of their time and come to New York at their own expense to share their expertise.