Creative solutions to global challenges
Mental health is often a low priority in many countries, despite its critical importance to people’s overall health and human rights. To promote innovation in the field, APA invited psychologists and international psychological associations to share their science-based ideas to improve global mental health in its first PsychSolutions Competition. Twenty-two teams of psychologists from 18 countries shared projects designed to tackle challenges, including an online education program for Ukrainians on the connection between mental health and climate change and a set of interventions to help women with mental illness in northern Ghana. The winning project is a psychoeducation program called Tampsy developed by clinical psychologist Ismahan S. Diop, PhD, of Senegal. Tampsy draws on traditional tales from several African cultures to teach local social workers and psychotherapists how to deliver culturally relevant care in the community. APA presented Diop with $10,000 to support her work and will collaborate with her on a video to promote her initiative.
Watch the finalists present their ideas and field questions from judges all over the world.
Read, watch & listen
1. Psychology for Kids: The Science of the Mind and Behavior
Each chapter in this new Magination Press textbook answers a different question about psychology for children, such as “What motivates you?” and “How do you remember?” Order at Magination Press.
2. Using telehealth in your practice in 2021
This hourlong webinar on June 4 will cover the advantages of using telehealth in your practice and the best ways to market and implement those services. Register onlineopens in new window.
3. COVID-19 and the science of smell
Pamela Dalton, PhD, of the Monell Chemical Senses Center joined the Speaking of Psychology podcast to talk about the connections between smell, emotions, and memory, and how a rapid smell test could improve COVID-19 screening. Listen at Speaking of Psychology.
Meet the candidates for APA president
APA members have nominated five psychologists to run for the association’s presidency. The winning candidate will serve as the 2022 president-elect and the 2023 president. The candidates in order of their number of nominations are:
- Beth N. Rom-Rymer, PhD
- Mary Ann McCabe, PhD
- Thema S. Bryant-Davis, PhD
- Diana L. Prescott, PhD
- Kirk J. Schneider, PhD
The candidates will be answering questions. Voting opens Sept. 15.
Become a better writer
Writers and researchers around the world look to APA Style for guidance on clear and concise scholarly communication. Subscribe to the new APA Style monthly newsletter to get news on style updates and new resources that can help you master APA Style.
Sign up at APA Styleopens in new window.
Conversation fast facts
Connecting with one another professionally and personally has never felt more important. APA will host its next annual convention on Aug. 12–14, and registration opens in June.
Last year’s historic move to an online format unlocked a whole new way for psychologists to share their latest research and ideas on society’s most urgent issues. Collaborations formed via live chat. Students talked with luminaries they might never have met. Far-flung international members attended for the first time. Speakers saw real-time reactions to their ideas, and everyone witnessed heartwarming reunions between mentees and mentors.
Other highlights from APA 2020:
- Live and on-demand sessions: 550 +
- Number of virtual research poster sessions: 1,900 +
- Most popular session: “The Psychological Toll of COVID-19” Main Stage event drew 5,350 attendees and sparked 2,272 chat posts during the session by 1,077 different people.
- Number of countries represented: 101
- Farthest attendee location: Australia
- Least-anticipated development: Members of the APA 2020 Facebook group coordinated watch parties and formed a book club based on the Main Stage and Keynote Speaker events.
- Most creative session title: “Ready Psychologist One: Simulation Experiences as Learning in High-Stakes Education,” with Jeffrey Goodie, PhD, and Ryan Landoll, PhD
- Total live-chat comments: 14,711
- Best Twitter summary: @mjbeers1 (Dr. Melissa Beers) “This was just incredible. Every single speaker was powerful and gave me new insight into myself, how to be a better leader, and how to respond to this year of crisis. I’m glad I’ll be able to watch it again. Thank you, @APA and thanks to all these inspiring speakers.”
Learn more at APA Conventionopens in new window. Follow us on Twitter at @APAConvention, #APA2021.
How to reach us
Answers to many of your questions may be found on APA’s website; for phone service call (800) 374-2721; for story ideas or comments, contact Editor in Chief Trent Spiner by email.