Returns Are Immeasurable When You Invest in APA's Foundation

There are many ways we can put our collective voices into action for our profession and for our patients. We can contribute work, wisdom, and wealth. In previous columns, I have focused on advocacy—how we can work using our wisdom and experience to inform policymakers, professionals, and the public about mental illness and psychiatric care. We are seeing results in terms of greater public understanding and diminution of stigma, but there is still much to do.

The simplest contribution of wealth is paying dues—providing resources that fund APA advocacy actions and multiplying our impact. I am pleased that APA national dues have not been increased for more than a decade, thanks to superb financial planning and management from our Finance and Budget Committee, secretary-treasurer, and APA staff.

There is another important way we can contribute. The American Psychiatric Foundation (APF), the philanthropic subsidiary of APA, through its many charitable programs, promotes public awareness of mental illnesses, the importance of early intervention and access to care, and the need for high-quality services and treatment. The APF is entirely self-supporting, with all initiatives funded through contributions.

What are some APF programs? How are our contributions used?

The Typical or Troubled? School Mental Health Education Program is a school-based mental health education program that addresses the gap between recognition of mental illness and appropriate diagnosis and treatment in young adults (Psychiatric News, February 2). It includes school-personnel training and brochures and other educational materials that can be customized for local schools. The program has been replicated in 73 high schools nationwide through a partnership with the American School Counselors Association, School Social Workers of America, and Mental Health America, and we anticipate expanding the program to 25 additional sites in 2008.

The Helping Hands Grant program was established to encourage medical students to participate in community-service activities, particularly for underserved populations; raise awareness of mental illness including the importance of early recognition; and build students' interest in psychiatry. It provides grants of up to $5,000 to medical schools for mental health service projects that are created and managed by medical students, particularly in underserved minority communities (Psychiatric News, April 21, 2006).

The APF continues to be an active member of the Depression Is Real Coalition (DIR), which promotes awareness that depression is a real and treatable medical illness. APA members continue to be featured guests and hosts of the DIR weekly podcasts, which are available on the DepressionIsReal.org WebsiteandviaiTunes. Dr. Altha Stewart, the APF president, led a panel on depression and minorities at the recent Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Brain-trust.

The APF Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health recognize psychiatrists, other health professionals, mental health programs, and other organizations that have undertaken innovative and supportive efforts to raise awareness of mental illness in underserved minority communities; address the need for early recognition, the availability of treatment, and how to access it; and cultural barriers to treatment. This recognition promotes access to quality mental health services, particularly for those with the most severe mental illness who seek care in the public health system (Psychiatric News, July 6).

The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health was described in detail in my column in the October 19 issue; it promotes the business case for quality mental health care and advances effective employer approaches to improving the mental health of their employees by combining the knowledge and experience of APA and its employer partners through educational materials and forums.

The High School/College Transition Program is a collaborative effort between the APF and the JED Foundation to provide education about the early warning signs of mental illness and adherence to treatment in young people transitioning from high school to college. Still in development, the program plans to target parents, school administrators, and mental health organizations located in college towns, as well as young adults.

The APF is poised for even more successes in 2008. Under the leadership of its newly appointed executive director, Paul Burke (see American Psychiatric Foundation Names New Director), the APF seeks to enhance and expand the impact of existing programs and enrich partnerships to proliferate the APF mission. Former APA President Richard Harding, M.D., will also be assuming his new leadership role as APF president in January.

Donating to the APF is a wonderful way to invest in mental health education, improve public awareness, and support access to quality care. Please honor our life's work through your tax-deductible contribution.

For more information, please contact Lindsey McClenathan by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (703) 907-8503. ▪