Sophie Friedl

APA has endorsed the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, which seeks to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes and increase access to mental health care for pregnant women and new moms.

APA joined Swords to Plowshares, the Harvard Veterans Legal Clinic, and others in sending a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough urging his department to review the discharges of and provide care to veterans with other-than-honorable discharges, many of whom have mental health conditions.

APA submitted comments to VA in support of psychologists’ and psychology trainees’ ability to practice across state lines within the VA system.

During his first day in office, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., signed an array of executive orders on a variety of topics. Many of these actions align with APA advocacy priorities.

The association shared ways to improve the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s Strategic Plan, ensuring that mental health services are better integrated into the bureau’s priorities.

Annual defense authorization bill and veterans suicide prevention legislation advance, including provisions for VA to pay for acute suicidal care, improving VA police training, and allowing VA professionals to provide telehealth care across state lines.

The association shared ways to improve the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s 'Blueprint for Change: Guiding Principles for Advancing the System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Families.'

APA submitted a comprehensive review of diversity training in response to a Department of Labor open comment period on diversity training among federal contractors.

Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, will present two webinars on suicide risk assessment and suicide intervention in conjunction with the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) Task Force and #REACH campaign.

The new laws designate ‘988’ as the national hotline number for suicide intervention and aim to improve staffing at the VA.

APA joined the National Military Family Association, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, and over 100 other organizations to support military families struggling with hunger and food insecurity.

Senate designated Sept. 30, 2020, as National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day, the day before the annual military and veteran suicide report released.

APA sent letters to the Secretary of Defense as well as the Senate and House Armed Services Committees urging them to address a recent Inspector General report, which found that service members and their families were not receiving timely mental health treatment.

On Sept. 23, the House of Representatives passed two large veterans mental health packages: the Veterans COMPACT Act and the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act.

The Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act passed the House on Sept. 30, 2020. This bill includes several landmark reforms including access to prenatal care and nutrition and a federal ban on shackling pregnant incarcerated women.

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs heard testimony about several of APA’s priorities including expanding practice authority for prescribing psychologists, instituting quality standards for community care providers, and mandating lethal means safety training.

APA submitted comments to the Federal Register addressing the VA proposed rule that would make it easier for former service members with other-than-honorable discharges to get their benefits by taking into account mental health conditions.