Request for Assistance in Placing Op-Ed Letter in Local Newspapers on the "Mental Health Needs of Returning Military Personnel"

APA Education Policy Office: March 30, 2005

Action Alert: Request for Assistance in Placing Op-Ed Letter in Local Newspapers on the "Mental Health Needs of Returning Military Personnel"

Your Op-Ed Letters are making a difference!

OUR REQUEST
As part of our on-going efforts to raise awareness (on Capitol Hill and in the local communities) regarding the critical need for mental and behavioral health services, we are seeking your help again in trying to get a letter placed in the Op-Ed section of your local newspapers. As you see from the attached Sample, the purpose of the Op-Ed letter is to inform readers (including Members of Congress) about the crucial role that psychologists are playing in helping returning military personnel re-adjust to civilian or non-combat life. This op-ed will assist us in our efforts to garner federal support for increasing the number of psychologists to meet the needs of returning soldiers and their families.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The psychological trauma endured by American soldiers during their time spent in Iraq and Afghanistan is unprecedented and there is much that psychologists can do to help heal these "hidden wounds of war." Servicemen and women are returning with higher rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder than ever before, and they are seeking help like never before. Yet, many communities and facilities, including military and VA hospitals, across the country are not equipped to respond appropriately to the rapidly growing need for psychological services. With your help, however, we can raise awareness to this serious problem.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
If we can succeed in getting letters placed in local newspapers, it will not only raise awareness in the community but draw the attention of your Representative and Senators. [Most, if not all, Congressional Offices subscribe to a "Clipping Service", which will bring any such Op-Ed letter to their attention.]

OP-ED TIPS
Specific information (requirements) about Op-Ed letters is usually listed inside each newspaper or available on their website. However, some general rules include: Keep the letter brief (500-600 words); Try to connect it with something that has been of local or national concern regarding the mental health needs of returning military personnel (e.g., rise in substance abuse, PTSD, suicide among those returning from the Iraq War); Include your FULL contact information (name, phone number, email), in case they need to contact you for clarification about something. Finally, don't underestimate the value of your local (small circulation) newspapers. It is often easier to get something placed in hometown newspapers than in the larger papers (e.g., Washington Post or New York Times).

WE NEED FEEDBACK
Please send us a copy of your Op-Ed letter; AND be sure to let us know if you succeed in getting it into any of your local papers. If you do, please make a copy of it and mail to Amanda Ring at the APA Education PPO Office (750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242).

Please refer to the attached "Op-Ed Template" to aid you in writing your letter. Thanks so much for your help with this. You are truly making a difference!

For more information or for questions about this alert please contact the APA Public Policy Office (202.336.6062).