AnnouncementsMay 31, 2018 - McNair Scholar Requests Survey Participation From Eligible PsychiatristsDakota Conway, a psychology major, and McNair Scholar, at Delta State University, is requesting your feedback to help support her McNair project. Dakota will be conducting a survey project on the mental health outcomes of female rape victims with one rapist whose attackers were punished as opposed to those whose attackers were not criminally punished. Her hope in conducting this research is to shed some light on how psychiatrists can best help victims of rape. If you have clients that fit the description of the participants would like to help, you can contact Dakota by email at [email protected]. Learn more detailed information now. April 21, 2018 - WSPA Past-President Dr. Jeffrey Sung Mentioned in MDedge Article on Suicide Prevention, Safer Gun StorageWASHINGTON – A suicide prevention organization based at the University of Washington partnered with the National Rifle Association and other gun-user organizations to launch a state-wide program in Washington aimed at safe firearm storage to cut suicide rates. The SAFER Homes Suicide Aware campaign has appeared at several gun shows in various Washington locations since its launch in 2017, talking to attendees and distributing about 600 free firearm-locking devices, with plans to expand these activities, Jennifer P. Stuber, Ph.D., said at the annual conference of the American Association of Suicidology. SAFER Homes “goes to community-based settings, like gun shows, where men in their middle years can be reached,” Dr. Stuber noted. By talking about taking steps to reduce the risk of firearm suicide with attendees at gun shows and with gun retailers, “you’re pushing on an open door,” Dr. Sung added. See the full article for further information. March 5, 2018 - State of Washington, Office of Forensic Mental Health Services: RFI for Forensic Evaluation ServicesIn 2017, the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services of the Behavioral Health Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services of the State of Washington (Department) requested information twice (both February and August) from qualified professionals interested in contracting with the Department to perform forensic evaluations of individuals referred to the Department by the courts. The response to our two previous Request for Information (RFI) solicitations was limited. Through this document, the Department is re-issuing its RFI and is requesting similar information, with several important changes. The Department has modified several questions to focus on competency related assessments, provided clarity on timeframes for report completion, and added a new question (question 11). See the full RFI for further information.
January 19, 2018 - APA Concerned about Decision to Broaden Religious Based Exemptions in Health CareYesterday the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the creation of a new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Office of Civil Rights. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is concerned that broadening religious exemptions for health care providers would allow them to discriminate and deny care because of a patient’s gender identity, sexual orientation or reproductive health decisions. In response, the APA is issuing this statement from its CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.: “I am deeply concerned that our patients – many of whom already face unique health challenges – may now be denied care or even information about health options because of their providers’ personal beliefs. We know that discriminatory policies harm our patients’ mental health and well-being. Laws allowing religious refusals of care must avoid harming patients’ health or imposing another’s moral beliefs on patients.”
January 19, 2018 - WSMA Leadership Development Conference is looking for scholarship nominationsThe WSMA Leadership Development Conference is scheduled for May 18 and 19, 2018 at Campbell’s Resort at Lake Chelan. The WSMA will offer up to ten scholarships to members who have been identified as potential future leaders of medical organizations. We’re asking your organizations to identify those members who may benefit from participating in this year’s conference. Nomination Criteria The following scholarship selection criteria have been adopted by the WSMA Executive Committee. Nominees must:
Nomination Instructions Nominations must include a letter of recommendation for and a CV of the physician being nominated. Nominees must submit a personal statement with the nomination. Nominations must be received by February 5, 2018. Late submissions will not be considered for this year’s scholarships. Personal statement: Nominees must submit a brief personal statement about their interest in leadership development. They may wish to address how the conference would benefit them and describe their interest in leadership roles currently and/or in the future. Email nominations to [email protected] or fax to (206) 441-5863 Attn: Brendan Cox. Scholarships cover registration fees, event meals, and lodging for two nights in one standard room. Scholarship selections will be made by the WSMA Executive Committee at its February meeting. We have scheduled several compelling speakers and topics for this year’s conference. Please reserve the dates and encourage all physicians involved in a leadership capacity in your organization to attend. Register online at:www.wsma.org/LDC. December 8, 2017 - WSPA Member Lydia Chwastiak published in Psychiatric ServicesWSPA Member Lydia A. Chwastiak's articled "Use of a Mental Health Center Collaborative Care Team to Improve Diabetes Care and Outcomes for Patients With Psychosis" published in Psychiatric Services. December 6, 2017 - WSPA Past-President Dr. Jeffrey Sung featured in this Month's American Journal of PsychiatryGiven the high lethality of firearms, our common clinical recommendation for managing a suicidal crisis is to facilitate temporary off-site storage of a firearm for a gun owner at risk of suicide. The legality of this recommendation,however, was unclear under Washington’s universal background check law. That is, if a suicidal person gave his or her gun to a friend to hold until a crisis resolved, this could be an illegal transfer unless a background check was performed. To resolve this issue, the Washington State Psychiatric Association worked with a group of stakeholders that included the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Forefront Suicide Prevention, the National Rifle Association, the Second Amendment Foundation, the Veterans Health Administration, the Washington State Office of the Attorney General and the Washington State Patrol. Together with Representative Tina Orwall, the group unanimously agreed upon legislative language to allow for an exception to the need for a background check for temporary firearm transfers intended to prevent suicide. The draft legislation was signed into law in May 2017 and demonstrates the role that psychiatrists can play in creating public policy to address firearm suicide. Please see the letter written by WSPA Past-President Dr. Jeffrey C. Sung in this month’s American Journal of Psychiatry for more information. August 15, 2017 - Nominations for 2018 Federal Jacob K. Javits AwardEstablished in 1986, the Jacob K. Javits Public Service Award honors the legacy of U.S. Senator Jacob K. Javits of New York. First elected in 1956, Senator Javits served for 24 years, using his position on the then-Labor and Public Welfare Committee to spearhead health-related legislation, achieving multiple successes on behalf of the mentally ill and on substance abuse issues. CAGR presents the award to a public servant who has made a significant contribution to the mentally ill and the mental health community. The Javits Award is given annually, alternately to a state public servant and a federal public servant. Presenting the Javits Award gives APA the opportunity to showcase the work honorees provide on behalf of consumers and the fields of health care and mental health care. Interested members may nominate a federal public servant by forwarding a completed nomination form and any supporting documents. Please email the form to: [email protected] no later than September 1, 2017. Nominations will be reviewed by Members of the Council on Advocacy and Government Relations. The selected individual will receive a plaque presented during the calendar year 2018. Recipients will also be featured in a national press release by the APA, and are often commemorated by their colleagues in public service and community. For additional information, please contact Deana McRae by phone at 703-907-8643, or by email at: [email protected]. March 24, 2017 - Workplace Mental HealthThe Partnership for Workplace Mental Health is a program of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, a subsidiary of the American Psychiatric Association. The Partnership works with businesses to ensure that employees and their families living with mental illness, including substance use disorders, receive effective care. It does so in recognition that employers purchase healthcare for millions of American workers and their families. Learn more at www.workplacementalhealth.org February 28, 2017 - Protections for Transgender Youth in Public SchoolsOn February 22 the Departments of Justice and Education issued guidance that eliminates protections for transgender youth in public schools, no longer allowing them to use restrooms corresponding with their gender identity. Transgender children are already at increased risk for violence, bullying, harassment, and suicide. They may be more prone to depression and engaging in self-harm. These children need acceptance and affirmation, not stigmatization. Policies excluding transgender youth from facilities consistent with their gender identity have detrimental effects on their physical and mental health, safety, and well-being. The American Psychiatric Association supports laws that protect the civil rights of transgender and gender variant individuals. The APA also opposes all public and private discrimination against transgender and gender variant individuals in such areas as health care, employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and licensing. The APA Position Statement on Discrimination Against The Administration believes that policy regarding transgender bathrooms should be decided at the state level which makes District Branches and State Associations vital in protecting the civil rights of transgender and gender variant individuals in their states. The American Psychiatric Association is strategically reaching out to our partners and the APA Administration and stands ready to assist you with this important endeavor. View this draft op-ed and sample tweets for District Branches and State Associations that want to take action now. Please contact Ariel Gonzalez if you need further assistance at [email protected]. February 13, 2017 - MOC RequirementsAPA has created a webpage that outlines its role in MOC and the actions taken, and creates an opportunity to provide feedback. In addition to MOC advocacy, APA also produces resources to help members meet MOC requirements, including:
February 2, 2017 - WSPA Member Featured in APA JournalDouglas F. Zatzick was published in an APA journal. His article is titled The Cumulative Burden of Mental, Substance Use, and General Medicine Disorders and Rehospitalization and Mortality After an Injury. Read the full article. January 19, 2017 - APA/APAF Fellowship Application Season is Upon Us! Deadline January 30APA/APAF and the Division of Diversity and Health Equity are excited to announce a new online resource for resident fellow members! The new Guide to APA/APAF Fellowships walks residents/trainees and training directors through the application process, beginning with why APA/APA fellowships are an amazing opportunity and what fellowships are offered. Residents can also take a peek into a day in the life of a Fellow by visiting the Fellowship Blog! The deadline to apply for all APA/APAF fellowships is Monday, January 30th. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org/fellowships. If you have any questions, please visit the FAQ section or contact Tatiana Claridad at [email protected]. December 7, 2016 - Abstract Submissions: Mental Health Services ConferenceThe scientific program committee is now accepting submissions for consideration for the 2017 IPS: The Mental Health Services Conference to be held October 19-22, 2017 in New Orleans. The theme for this meeting will be “Optimizing Access & Effective Care.” Abstracts may be submitted online. The submission site closes on January 10, 2017 at 11:59pm ET. All submissions must be complete at that time, including disclosures for all presenters and co-presenters. Because of space limitations, we are asking that all submissions (even long-standing recurring sessions) be submitted through the abstract submission site. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Scientific Programs via [email protected]. December 5, 2016 - APA Annual Meeting Registration OpenThe 2017 Annual Meeting registration and housing for APA members is now open and will open to the public on December 15. Take a look at the Preliminary Program Guide and visit the APA website to access all pertinent event information, including: registration fees and dates, hotel descriptions and rates, courses, schedules, CME information and much more. November 11, 2016 - APA Announced its Payment Reform Webinar SeriesBoth health care delivery and the way physicians are paid are constantly evolving. Whether you are treating patients in the public or private sector, or both, some of these changes are currently in place or are coming soon. November 9, 2016 - APA - APAF FellowshipsThe 2016 – 2017 recruitment season for APA/APAF Fellowship applications is open. Applications will be accepted through Monday, January 30, 2017 for any of the eight (8) APA/APAF fellowship programs (APA/APAF Leadership, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Diversity Leadership, Jeanne Spurlock Congressional, Public Psychiatry, Psychiatric Research, SAMHSA Minority and SAMHSA Substance Abuse Minority Fellowships). Learn more. October 17, 2016 - MACRA Implementation and UpdatesAPA has provided updates to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). MACRA changes the way psychiatrists and other physicians working with Medicare patients will be paid. Learn more and see how APA can help you. September 29, 2016 - Changes to DSM-5 to Take Effect on Oct. 1 Important changes to the DSM will take effect on Oct. 1. These changes are designed to bring ICD-10 codes in line with updated diagnoses in the DSM-5. As of Oct. 1, some ICD-10 codes relating to disorders in the DSM will no longer be valid. For a complete list of the disorders affected by this change, and the new codes associated with them, please visit the Psychiatric News story on the changes here. September 20, 2016 - WSPA President, Dr. Jeffrey Sung, Published in The Spokesman-ReviewIn the past year, more than one in five Americans experienced mental illness. Tragically, over 40,000 Americans lost their lives to suicide in 2013. Despite this, many people with mental illness or substance use conditions and their families are unable to access needed care and are constantly challenged by a fragmented mental health delivery system. Far too many Americans with mental illness receive care not from physicians’ offices or hospitals, but rather from our nation’s jails and prisons. In most states, the largest mental health facility is a correctional facility. Hope for change is within reach. When the U.S. Senate returns in September, it can pass the Mental Health Reform Act of 2016, S.2680. The bill will help enforce an existing law mandating that mental health be covered just like physical health, and it will help coordinate federal resources currently spread over a number of agencies. Moreover, it extends investments in suicide prevention from youth to all ages. Similar legislation overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in July. Time is running out for Congress. The Senate must act now to ensure that patients with mental illness receive the care they need and deserve. August 30, 2016 - Hillary Clinton Mental Health Agenda ReleasedToday, Hillary Clinton released the details of her mental health agenda. The APA strongly supports the thorough and comprehensive mental health agenda. The plan released by the Clinton campaign includes a pledge to hold a White House Conference on Mental Health within her first year in office. APA provided mental health position papers to the Clinton campaign over the last few months. The APA supports a number of initiatives outlined in Clinton’s plan, including:
We are pleased in this promising first step to implement mental health reform in this country. The APA will continue to work with legislators on both sides of the aisle for the remainder of this Congress and into the next, as well as with the next President of the United States, as we continue to push for substantive mental health reform. In the coming weeks we will continue our bipartisan outreach to Members of Congress and congressional candidates, as well as the Presidential candidates as we work to achieve results in the mental health arena. We remain thoroughly committed to achieving these critical reforms for our members. Thank you, Saul Levin, MD, MPA August 24, 2016 - Day Program (Partial Hospitalization) for Pregnancy and Postpartum at SwedishCenter for Perinatal Bonding & Support at Swedish First Hill is proud to announce the opening of our new partial hospitalization Day Program for moms and newborns. The Day Program is an intensive outpatient group therapy program for pregnant and postpartum women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Patients are also encouraged to bring babies under 6 months for attachment and transition support. The program is designed for women who need care beyond outpatient services but do not meet inpatient requirements. The program will run from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Thursday, for an average patient stay of three weeks. The Day Program is covered by most insurance companies; patients who meet the requirements for entrance will have a one-on-one intake with a reproductive psychiatrist and coverage can be determined at that time. Following an intake and insurance authorization, patients can start the program. Center for Perinatal Bonding & Support Psychiatrist Therapists August 10, 2016 - APA President-Elect Anita Everett Named SAMHSA Chief Medical OfficerPresident-Elect of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Anita Everett, M.D., has been named the Chief Medical Officer at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In her role at SAMHSA, Everett will lead a newly created Office of the Chief Medical Officer with five dedicated staff, including an additional physician. She begins her duties at SAMHSA on Sept. 5. “SAMHSA has selected a great physician whose experience and expertise as a psychiatrist will add value to SAMHSA through its newly created medical office,” said APA President Maria A. Oquendo, M.D. “Her experience will also benefit providers of prevention, treatment and recovery services for those with mental illness. We look forward to working with Dr. Everett in her new role and with SAMHSA and HHS.” Everett and her office at SAMHSA will provide input into strategic initiatives, policy directions, and legislative issues to ensure effective, evidence-based approaches to behavioral health services are incorporated in SAMSHA programs and activities. Everett’s extensive behavioral health expertise and clinical experience will help the agency address pressing health care issues, such as integration of behavioral health services with primary care. Everett is currently division director of Johns Hopkins Community and General Psychiatry, Bayview Campus, and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. Everett was elected president-elect of APA in February 2016 and will take the office of President at the conclusion of the APA Annual Meeting in San Diego in May 2017. She has held numerous leadership roles at APA, including trustee-at-large on the APA Board of Trustees. She has also served as president of the Maryland Psychiatric Society and president of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists. The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose more than 36,500 physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders. Visit the APA at www.psychiatry.org. July 29, 2016 - August Course of the MonthUpdates in Women’s Health: Psychopharmacologic Approaches in the Perinatal Period Psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period are common and, as such, psychiatrists are often asked to treat pregnant and postpartum women. Unfortunately, psychiatrists often do not feel well-equipped to manage treatment of perinatal patients, especially with the use of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. This course provides and overview of the current evidence for the use of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics during pregnancy and lactation. Learn more and register. July 15, 2016 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Passes SenateThe following CARA update is sent on behalf of Saul Levin, CEO & Medical Director, APA. For more information on the conference report, see the embedded link. Please share this update with the membership. I write to inform you that the Senate overwhelmingly voted (92 to 2) yesterday to adopt the conference report accompanying S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The Senate’s action follows the House, which voted to adopt the report last week (407 to 5). CARA takes a number of important first steps to address the opioid crisis plaguing the country. Noteworthy provisions include: • Provides grants to expand access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal drugs (such as naloxone) and to expand access to addiction treatment services, including evidence-based medication-assisted treatment. • Provides grants to community organizations to develop and enhance recovery services and build connections with other recovery support systems. • Provides grants to states to carry out comprehensive opioid abuse response, including education, treatment, and recovery efforts, prescription drug monitoring programs, and efforts to prevent overdose deaths. A full summary of the conference report may be found here. We anticipate that President Obama will sign this legislation into law. APA will continue working with Members of Congress to ensure that the programs authorized by this legislation are adequately funded to ensure their effectiveness. July 14, 2016 - Call for APA Nominations!Submit nominations for the 2017 Election to [email protected]. Please make sure to include the full name of the nominated APA member and the corresponding office(s) for which he/she is being nominated. The deadline for nominations is October 1. The following offices are open for nominations:
* elected by eligible voters of their respective Area 2017 APA Election Schedule
July 7, 2016 - APA Applauds House Passage of Mental Health Reform BillToday the American Psychiatric Association (APA) praised the House of Representatives for passing bipartisan mental health reform legislation H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. The APA is calling upon the Senate to approve this legislation by the end of the year. “Comprehensive mental health reform is urgently needed in our country, and this bipartisan legislation helps address this critical need,” said APA President Maria A. Oquendo, M.D. “We now strongly urge the Senate to take up mental health reform legislation that will make care more available to those who need it, especially patients and families living with serious mental illness. We look forward to working with Congress to pass mental health reform this year.” Introduced by Reps. Tim Murphy (R- Pa.) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act has 197 cosponsors, including 141 Republicans and 56 Democrats, and it unanimously passed in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in June. Similar bipartisan comprehensive mental health reform legislation has been introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-La.) The APA has firmly endorsed efforts in both the House and Senate to reform our nation’s mental health system. Mental illness is widely prevalent in the U.S. — more than 68 million Americans have experienced a psychiatric or substance use disorder in the past year. Despite recent gains in medical research and public awareness, many people with mental illness or substance use disorders do not get the treatment they need. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is an important step in addressing this need. “We are grateful to Reps. Tim Murphy (R- Pa.) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) for their leadership in introducing the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act and moving this legislation forward over the past two years,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “It is their dedication to improving the lives of people with mental illness and their years of persistence in advocating for change that has brought us close to achieving much needed comprehensive mental health reform.” The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose 36,500 physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders. Visit the APA at www.psychiatry.org. June 23, 2016 - Daniel Gillison Named New Executive Director of the APA FoundationThe American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) announced today that Daniel Gillison will assume the role of Executive Director beginning Monday, June 27. Gillison joins the APAF, the philanthropic and public education arm of the APA, from the National Association of Counties (NACo) where he was the National Director of County Solutions and Innovation. In his role, he led corporate and philanthropic fundraising efforts and directed the educational programming of the NACo Research Foundation. During Gillison’s time at NACo, corporate support more than doubled and the NACo Foundation substantially expanded its educational offerings in mental health and criminal justice. He has previously held positions at Sprint, XO Communications, and Wesley Brown & Bartle. “Daniel Gillison brings a wealth of experience in raising corporate support and securing foundation funding to the American Psychiatric Association Foundation. His significant strategic planning experience will be useful in guiding the APAF as it raises public awareness of mental illness,” said APAF Board Chairman Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. Gillison replaces APAF Executive Director Paul Burke, who is retiring July 1 after more than nine years of service. The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose 36,500 physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders. Visit the APA at www.psychiatry.org. June 14, 2016 - Free APA Webinar About MACRAThe Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) permanently repealed the old Medicare SGR formula and set in motion entirely new programs for quality reporting and new payment models.
Register for this event. June 14, 2016 - APA Mental Health Services ConferenceJoin the American Psychiatric Association on October 6-9 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. From administration to telepsychiatry, sharpen your skills in community psychiatry at the redesigned IPS: The Mental Health Services Conference. This year's theme is "Implementing Prevention Across Psychiatric Practice." Other featured topics include:
Register by the July 21 Early Bird deadline for the best registration rate and ensure your space in one of several courses offered at the meeting. Learn more. June 13, 2016 - In the News! Training in Suicide Care for PhysiciansUW Health Sciences NewsBeat has written a piece about our Training in Suicide Care for Physicians. Brian Donohue has high praises for our very own President Dr. Jeff Sung and our newest training. Read the full story. Take a look at our upcoming training dates. |