National Opinion Poll Shows Consumers Place Increased Value on Mental Health

APA recently conducted its second national public opinion poll to gauge consumers' attitudes and perceptions about mental health. The findings from the poll of 1,000 adults revealed significant increases from APA's poll five years ago in consumer attitudes about the importance of mental health in overall health and wellbeing.

In 1996, public opinion survey research indicated that 84% of respondents believed that ood psychological health plays an important role in maintaining good physical health. Today, five years and millions of "media impressions" later, APA's recent survey found 97% of respondents recognizing the importance of good psychological health in maintaining good physical health - a jump of 13%.

The poll also indicates the public may be more receptive to learning how to maintain good mental health - 89% say people should seek professional help for problems they can not resolve; up from 69 % in 1996.

The poll will be a valuable tool in helping to shape future public education and outreach efforts, says Jan Peterson, Assistant Executive Director for Public Relations and Communications.

In 1996, the APA learned consumers would be most receptive to hearing about the value of psychology and psychological services through the following themes: stress at work, the mind/body connection and family relations. These became the three messages for print and radio advertising developed for the "Talk to Someone Who Can Help" public education campaign.

Spanish Warning Signs Audio Release Receives Widespread Pick Up

More than 800,000 listeners heard about APA's Warning Signs in Spanish recently through the distribution of a national audio news release.

Dr. Lillian Comas-Diaz, executive director of the Transcultural Mental Health Institute and clinical professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., was the spokesperson for the radio release which ran on 77 stations and network affiliates 121 times. It also aired nationally on CNN Radio Noticias, and on the number one Spanish language stations in Los Angeles and Miami.

Warning Signs Messages Air After Santee School Shooting in California

APA distributed an audio news release on the warning signs of violence to 106 stations and networks in response to the school shooting in Santee, CA. The audio news release reached more than 10 million listeners, and Dr. Russ Newman was the spokesman. Airings occurred nationally on USA Radio Network, American Urban Radio Network, Talk America Radio Network and Pacifica Radio Network.