Federal News & Issues

APA Praises House COVID-19 Relief Package; Calls Upon Senate to Pass Legislation

Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2020 -The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today applauded the mental health and addiction-related resources included in the Heroes Act (H.R. 8406) passed by the U.S. House.  Evidence is mounting that the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating mental health conditions, while the economic consequences of the pandemic have been reducing the mental health and substance use treatment capacity across the country. The resources in the House-passed Heroes Act constitute a needed step toward treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders. The bill includes: 

  • $8.5 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to fund state mental health and substance abuse block grants, trauma-informed care and other services and supports for schoolchildren, suicide prevention and...
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Author: mbourdase - Published: Oct 5, 2020

APA Expresses Concern About the Trump Administration Executive Order Regarding Diversity and Inclusion Training by Federal Agencies

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 28, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is concerned about the impact a recent Trump Administration Executive Order may have on gender or racial diversity training in federal agencies and by contractors that receive federal funding.

The APA strongly supports education about diversity and inclusion. Diversity and inclusion training truly supports American values and empowers everyone with the skills and knowledge to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable working or learning environment. The goal of such training is to reduce prejudice and discrimination by helping us understand our uniqueness and abilities. The APA believes that all forms of racism, prejudice and discrimination affect mental health and well-being and negatively impact the nation. For this reason, diversity...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Sep 28, 2020

APA Foundation Joins NIH Public-Private Partnership To Advance Early Interventions for Schizophrenia

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 15, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF), the philanthropic and educational arm of APA, joins a new public-private partnership launched today by the National Institute of Health (NIH) that is aimed at meeting the urgent need for early therapeutic interventions for people at risk of developing schizophrenia. It is part of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) that promotes development of effective, targeted treatments.

AMP Schizophrenia brings together NIH, the Food and Drug Administration and multiple non-profit and private organizations. These partners will work to discover promising biological markers that can help identify people at risk of developing schizophrenia as early...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Sep 15, 2020

APA Releases New Practice Guideline on Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 1, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today released a new evidence-based practice guideline to enhance the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Its goals are to reduce the mortality, morbidity and significant psychosocial and health consequences of this psychiatric condition.

An executive summary of the guideline is published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, available online today. The full guideline and related materials are available at psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/clinical-practice-guidelines.

Schizophrenia is one of the top 20 causes of disability worldwide. The lifetime prevalence of...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Sep 1, 2020

APA Applauds House Passage of Funding Provisions for Mental Health Needs and Urges the Senate to Take Action

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 31, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education FY2021 appropriations bill that includes much needed funding for mental health care and medical research. The bill, which includes a total of $96.4 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, was part of a seven-bill spending package (HR 7617). Among the provisions supported by the APA are:

  • A total of $6 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an increase of more than $100 million over the previous fiscal year for mental health and substance use-related programs. The APA effectively worked with mental health partners resulting in a $35 million increase to the SAMHSA budget to improve...
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Author: mbourdase - Published: Jul 31, 2020

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