Last week at APA 2019 in Chicago, we witnessed firsthand the new momentum that is driving our organization forward, guided by our new strategic priorities. As so many of our members have told us, there was a palpable excitement at this year’s meeting, which brought together 12,000 scientists, educators, health service psychologists, applied psychologists and students.
This new momentum was reflected in a fresh approach to convention, featuring powerful Main Stage eventsopens in new window on three critical societal issues: deep poverty, suicide, and gun violence. Woven throughout all three was the message that we can have more impact together when we utilize expertise across the breadth of our field and collaborate with other disciplines. Many attendees said the engaging format and compelling speakers on the Main Stage were the most inspiring programming they’d ever seen at an APA convention. (Visit APA’s convention website to watch events from the Main Stageopens in new window.)
Of course, this momentum goes beyond APA’s convention. It’s also evident in how the media are turning to APA and psychology to inform key societal issues. That was on display in recent days when CNN asked APA President Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD, to participate in a town hall on gun violence (an appearance that was unfortunately undermined by stormy weather that grounded her plane). We also received enormous media attention when we used our science to speak out against erroneous claims of a causal connection between mental illness and gun violence—with APA mentioned in nearly 2,000 media outlets, with a potential audience of 3.9 billion people.
Under the guidance of our strategic priorities, we have started a formidable movement, demonstrating how APA and psychology can have an impact on a wide range of issues. Our members, our colleagues and the public are taking notice.
Let’s share this new enthusiasm: I hope you are talking with your colleagues about APA’s new energy—as we know, the buzz from trusted associates is better than any public education campaign. And I hope you will continue to stay engaged as the association calls upon the expertise of our members and explores working in new and different ways to have an impact.
Thank you for all you do to support APA in this new era.
Note: The information in this post provides a snapshot, as of the publication date, of some of the most recent work underway on APA’s strategic plan. This post is not meant to be a comprehensive account of this work, but rather to provide insight into some of the top-level themes that are emerging during conversations with members, including governance leaders. Your input is always welcome at strategicplan@apa.org.
