After much careful consideration, the American Psychoanalytic Association has decided to adopt a considerably more active stance in the area of public information. Beginning with a letter of agreement between the American and the APA, dated October 1986, the APA Division of Public Affairs has been providing major public information services to the Public Information Committee of the American.
As Steven Sonnenberg, Chairman of that committee, observed, “The American Psychoanalytic Association is doing something long overdue, and doing it right. By deciding to work with the Division of Public Affairs, we are working with a group of professionals. Also, the leadership of the APA has made it clear that they are enthusiastic about the two organizations working together. So far it has proven a natural and smooth relationship. The APA has a firm commitment to support the work of psychoanalysis.” Sonnenberg now serves as a liaison member of the APA Joint Commission on Public Affairs, lending the views and perspective of psychoanalysis to the development of public information and educational programs of the APA.
In addition, John Blamphin, Director of the APA Division of Public Affairs, now serves as a consulting member of the Public Information Committee. During the December meeting of the American, Blamphin met with the Public Information Committee to assist in developing plans to effectively educate the public about psychoanalysis. One topic on the agenda was that of the publication of magazine articles critical of psychoanalysis. Blamphin, emphasizing the need for prompt response, advised how to write an effective letter to the editor. However, in his discussion of the more important need of taking a pro active approach, he explained the work of the APA in developing positive relationships with the media. Blamphin also described how the Division of Public Affairs, in consultation with the APsaA, will produce, over the next two years, 12 news releases about psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic issues. The first release will discuss eating disorders, stressing that psychoanalysis provides a broad and encompassing understanding of this problem. Future releases may feature information about psychoanalytic books, presentations at annual meetings, or articles from psychoanalytic journals. The Division will be responsible for developing, writing, reproducing, and mailing these releases.
An ongoing project of the APA is the Physician Awareness Campaign, designed to improve the relationship of psychiatry to the rest of medicine. As part of this campaign, 100 local workshops for non-psychiatric physicians will be held throughout the country to discuss the topic of depression. Since non-psychiatric physicians prescribe 95 percent of anti-depressant medication, this education program is directed to a group that treats vast numbers of depressed people. Goals of the workshops will include differentiating types of depressions and educating non-psychiatric physicians about approaches other than medication.
So far, a dozen such workshops have been held, each lasting two hours and including videotape presentations followed by small group discussions. Psychoanalysts have already participated in these workshops and are welcomed to participate in future workshops. Those interested in participating should contact their APA District Branch. The
series is supported by the British firm, Boots Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Other terms of the agreement with the APA include briefings by Sonnenberg to the APA Division of Public Affairs. Also, the Division has added the names of psychoanalysts designated by the APsaA to its national roster of spokespersons to whom the Division refers the news media. Finally, the Division will review and expand the APsaA's mailing list.
The issue of a more active public information stance has been discussed for years in the APsaA, with little success. The issue was raised once again by the Public Information Committee when Aron Esman became Chairman in 1981. At that time, Blamphin and Shervert Frazier, then Chairman of the APA Division of Public Affairs, met with the APsaA Public Information Committee to discuss this issue and determine if a
mutually beneficial relationship could be developed. The Executive Committee of the APsaA encouraged exploration which continued under Paul Fink's chairmanship of the Division of Public Affairs. Working closely with the APA, Dr. Esman arranged a tentative agreement with the APA pending approval of the APsaA Executive Council. Funding was unavailable at the 1985 Fall Meeting which delayed a final decision. In the Fall of 1986 the necessary funding was available and the agreement was made. Dr. Esman commented, “It's marvelous that we were finally able to work out an agreement. What we began bore fruit and will be very beneficial to the Association.”
The APA Division of Public Affairs under the leadership of Blamphin, who became director of the Division in 1981, has become increasingly active and proficient. One example of this increased activity is that inquiries from the public, seeking information about mental illness and treatment has increased tenfold from 1985 to 1987. The Division has expanded staff and resources and now operates at a yearly budget of $500,000. Blamphin said to the Public Information Committee at the December meeting, “I am pleased to be a consultant and look forward to a productive relationship. Melvin Shabshin, Medical Director of the APA, feels the need for the two organizations to find common ground to work together, and this is one of the areas in which this can be done.”