Applying Psychological Science, Benefiting Society
By Kerry Bolger, PhD (Public Interest Government Relations Office) Did you know that the U.S. incarcerates more of its kids per capita than any other developed nation—and that we spend about $5 billion a year of taxpayers’ money to keep them locked up? Is that because a lot more kids in America are committing violent […]
Our “THEory into ACTion” series continues with this cross post from APA Division 27’s Community Psychology Practice Council blog. The “THEory into ACTion” series sheds light on community psychologists making positive change in the field. By Agnieszka Hanni, MA and Suzette Fromm Reed, PhD As the lifespan of an average person increases in the nation, the retirement […]
By Michael Southam-Gerow, PhD (APA Committee on Children, Youth, and Families) More than 4 million children and teens have a serious mental disorder, but only 20 percent are getting the help they need. Did you know that it takes more than 15 years for an evidence-based treatment (EBT) to be used consistently in the community? […]
By Ashley Boal (Graduate Policy Intern- Public Interest Government Relations Office) Did you know youth (ages 13-24) account for 25% of new HIV infections? This equates to approximately 1,000 new HIV infections among youth each month, mostly among minority gay and bisexual men. As APA observes Pride Month, now is an ideal time to bring […]
By Mary Ann McCabe, PhD (Chair, APA Interdivisional Task Force on Child and Adolescent Mental Health) The economic costs to society of ignoring child mental health are staggering. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2009) estimates that childhood mental disorders account for the largest category of spending of health dollars for children (ages 0-17). […]
“I’m so glad to be alive. Every day we are seeing Asian Americans die because of lack of services, stigma and suicide.” Can Truong spoke those words at APA’s recent Ethnicity and Health Series community forum – “Great expectations: Exploring family dynamics and stress among Asian and Asian American populations” cosponsored with the DC […]
By Matthew Miller, PhD (Asst. Professor – University of Maryland, College Park) What do the words “generation gap” mean to you? For many people, “generation gap” conjures up memories of conflict with their parents over differences in music tastes, career choice, political affiliation, lifestyle choices, etc. However, for many Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander […]
By Hillary Robertson (APA Behavioral and Social Science Volunteer Program) The transition from adolescence to young adulthood is arguably one of the most difficult periods of time in a person’s life. Moving out of their parents’ home means a loss of structure and stability. After leaving home many young adults neglect the healthy habits they once […]
By Ileana Arias, PhD (Principal Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Last week I was pleased to present a keynote address on children’s mental health as a public health issue at a National Summit developed by APA’s Interdivisional Task Force on Children’s Mental Health. Did you know as many as 1 in 5 […]
By Lauren Fasig, JD, PhD (Director, APA Children, Youth, and Families Office) Suicide touches everyone. Adults, teens, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, popular people, loners, geeks, jocks, scientists, artists, plumbers, doctors, farmworkers, soldiers, lawyers, teachers, minsters, police officers, dishwashers…everyone. Did you know suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in young people between the ages […]
Psychology Benefits Society 