Dear Esteemed Colleagues, Members, and Friends,

I am truly honored to be elected to the position of the President of our organization for 2025-2026. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for this incredible opportunity to lead such a dedicated and passionate group of professionals and I am excited to embark on this journey together. 

This year is shaping up as a remarkable one, in terms of the changes being wrought on healthcare and it is opportune that we remind ourselves of the profound impact we can have in the field of psychiatry, particularly in our state of California. Our work is not just about treating individuals; it is about advocating for a system that supports mental health care for all. Advocacy is at the heart of what we do, and it is essential for driving change in our communities and beyond.

In California, we face unique challenges and opportunities in mental health care. We are a large state with diversity of demographics as well as perspectives and it is imperative we focus on our common passions like the need for accessible, equitable, and high-quality mental health services which has never been more urgent. In addition to budget cuts, we are also facing concerns about interruption of telehealth services as well as reduced reimbursement for physicians.

As advocates, we have the responsibility to ensure that the voices of those we serve are heard and that their needs are met. It is equally imperative that we advocate for ourselves as well which includes physician wellness, appropriate reimbursement for psychiatrists and so on. This means engaging with policymakers, raising awareness about mental health issues, and working collaboratively to dismantle the stigma that still surrounds mental illness.

We need a medium where as psychiatrists of Northern California we can convene and share our observations and concerns and to that end, we will be commencing the Advocacy Forum, a resurrection of the erstwhile Government Affairs Committee which plans to function at multiple levels with a diverse distribution of leadership. I hope you will consider joining, and sharing your experiences. As a group, we can influence legislation that prioritizes mental health funding, promotes innovative treatment approaches, and fosters a culture of understanding and support. 

I encourage each of you to embrace your role as advocates. Share your stories, connect with your communities, and let your voices resonate in the halls of decision-making. Let’s make a difference together!