Applying Psychological Science, Benefiting Society
By Akhenaten B.S. Tankwanchi, PhD Although the word Ebola percolated into the American public consciousness over two decades ago owing to an Ebola outbreak in a Washington, DC suburb, it was not until Liberian citizen Thomas Eric Duncan, died from the disease, on October 8, 2014 in Dallas, Texas, that concerns about the spread of […]
By Megan Carlos, PhD (Member, APA Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology) and Jennifer Moye, PhD (Chair, APA Committee on Aging) On a Thursday at 3:30 pm, a psychologist received a request to evaluate the capacity of Mr. Mather, an 83 year old medical inpatient. He had previously agreed to a scheduled surgery, but was […]
By Amy Fiske, PhD (Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, West Virginia University) Missing the Group Most at Risk This is National Suicide Prevention Week. Much will be said and written this week about suicide and how to prevent it. Most of it will not even mention the group at greatest risk of suicide: older men. […]
By Judith M. Glassgold, PsyD (Assoc. Exec. Director, APA’s Public Interest Government Relations Office) The tragic death of Robin Williams reminds us that mental health and substance abuse problems are complex and serious. Although treatment works and individuals recover, many struggle to overcome the stigma of mental illness and find a provider and get into […]
By David Martin, PhD, ABPP (Senior Director, APA Office on AIDS) June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested at least once as part of routine medical care. People who have vaginal or anal sex without […]
By Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, PhD Are you overwhelmed by the host of stimulating digital toys and games intricately designed to build better brains for the new world order? As the recent Joan Ganz Coony report noted, there are so many “educational” e-products that it is hard to know which are truly […]
By Alfiee Breland-Noble, PhD, MHSc (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical Center) Karyn Washington’s unfortunate and untimely passing offers an opportunity for us to reflect on African American women, depression and suicide. In early April 2014, Ms. Karyn Washington took her life after what appears to be a long standing battle with depression. This […]
By Edna M. Esnil, PsyD (Member, APA Committee on Women in Psychology) Have you ever felt overwhelmed when you have to confront a stressful task or situation? As a practitioner, I work a lot with clients who are stressed and overwhelmed. I experience stress too. On both a professional and a personal level this is […]
Psychology Benefits Society 