American Psychological Association Recognizes Mental Health Month With a Slate of Activities

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Psychological Association is calling attention to homelessness, children's mental health, and psychology practice this May in recognition of Mental Health Month. Among the events APA is cosponsoring or leading:

May 4: Congressional Briefing on Ending Homelessness

U.S. Capitol, Room HC-6, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Psychologists who have studied homelessness will join government agency representatives and advocates to present a briefing focusing on ending homelessness based on recommendations from APA's 2009 Presidential Task Force on Psychology's Contribution to End Homelessness. Speakers will discuss the importance of suitable and supportive housing through federal programs. Additionally, a Maryland woman will describe her personal battle with mental illness and homelessness.

Participants:

• James Bray, Ph.D., past president, American Psychological Association; Baylor College of Medicine
• Norweeta Milburn, Ph.D., chair, APA Task Force on Psychology's Contribution to End Homelessness; University of California–Los Angeles
• Mark Johnston, Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Joe Schumacher, Ph.D., member, APA Task Force on Psychology's Contribution to End Homelessness; University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Julie Bell, advocate for the homeless community
• Andrea Solarz, Ph.D., community psychologist, Arlington, Va.

May 6: National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

This day is the fifth anniversary of National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, of which APA is an official supporter. This year's focus is on mental health in early childhood. APA is bringing attention to two events sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Awareness Day Turns 5 Celebration

Ronald Reagan Building, Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

This event features young children expressing their feelings through music, dance and the visual arts.

Participants:

• Caroline Lyders, anchor and reporter with WJLA-TV, will host
• Children from Washington, D.C.-area daycare centers, parents, caregivers

Awareness Day Early Childhood Forum

Two panels will focus on promoting positive social and emotional development and common parenting problems.

Ronald Reagan Building, Amphitheatre, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Participants:

• Janice L. Cooper, Ph.D., APA member and interim director, National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University
• Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., chief program officer, ZERO TO THREE, Washington, D.C.
• Walter S. Gilliam, Ph.D., assistant professor, child psychiatry and psychology, Yale University
• Mary Louise Hemmeter, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University
• Larke Huang, Ph.D., senior adviser, Office of the Administrator,
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed., director, Center for Mental Health Services,
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Judith T. Romano, M.D., FAAP, general pediatrician fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
• Ross Thompson, Ph.D., professor, Department of Psychology,
  University of California, Davis
• Albert Zachik, M.D., director, Office of Child and Adolescent Services
  State of Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration

May 18: Blogging for Mental Health

Psychologists writing for APA's public education blog, Your Mind, Your Body, invite writers and others interested to share their stories, personal experiences or anything else related to mental health and emotional wellness. Writers are encouraged to blog about mental health-related topics and use the specially created graphic, which can be found on Your Mind, Your Body or Bloggers Unite.

May 3-31: Help for People Seeking Psychological Services

How do I find the right therapist? What are the signs of depression? What mental health services are available at my workplace? These are some of the important questions APA will address throughout Mental Health Month in weekly interviews and video presentations. For more information, contact Sophie Bethune, APA director of public relations for professional practice.

Participants:

• Katherine C. Nordal, Ph.D., APA executive director for professional practice
• David Ballard, PsyD, MBA, APA assistant executive director, marketing and business development

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 152,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.

SOURCE American Psychological Association