Title: MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Author:
Section/SPIG: Mental Health
Issue Date:
I hope this finds everyone well, and that you’ve all had an enjoyable summer.
This is the “second draft” of this message. The first was written last Monday, just before news reached us that the feared breakdown of the levees in New Orleans had indeed occurred. This of course left in question virtually everything about the upcoming APHA meetings. But while this is inconvenient for us APHA members, its importance is miniscule in comparison to the catastrophe that continues to unfold on the Gulf Coast.
APHA has remained committed to holding these meetings this year. After what must have been considerable effort on their part, APHA just (an hour ago!) announced that the meetings will be held in Philadelphia, Dec. 10-14. Further information as it’s provided will be posted at <www.apha.org/meetings>.
But regardless of what arrangements APHA is able to make, it will be hard to focus on “business as usual.” We have members, friends and colleagues, who live on the Gulf coast whose lives, families and work have been placed in jeopardy. We as a Section will need to be as helpful and supportive as possible in doing whatever we can to assist them.
We also need to be mindful of where mental health issues fit into disaster planning. Much has been made of efforts to prevent infectious disease and to manage the needs of persons with chronic illnesses whose access to needed medications may be threatened. But what of people with mental disorders who take medications or who regularly receive other forms of treatment? What will be the effects on these individuals of abrupt treatment discontinuation in the midst of a catastrophe? How do public mental health systems plan for these contingencies? What prevention mechanisms need to be in place to avert an epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder that could have enormous personal, social and economic ramifications for decades to come? Our scientific program is currently set, but I would be happy to hear suggestions from members on how we might discuss these issues and be responsive both as the “mental health wing of APHA” and as individuals (that’s <Bill.Fisher@Umassmed.edu>, if you have comments or suggestions).
From a logistical standpoint, planning for the meetings had ground to a halt. I’m confident that the arrangements APHA will make will allow the scientific program and business meetings, which are already set, to go forward. But the prospects for other events, such as the social, are at best questionable. (We had been working with a colleague from Tulane and had identified a great New Orleans venue, Tippitina’s, for our social. I, personally, was really looking forward to it, having heard terrific things about the place. But again, to put this in perspective, I am unable even to locate my friend from Tulane, and I’m very concerned about him and his family.) I do hope we will be able to arrange some kind of event where we will have the opportunity to see one another and socialize. All I can say is that we’ll do our best, and we’re open to suggestions. Hopefully our friends in Philadelphia can suggest some places that may be able to accommodate us.
Despite the pall that has been cast over this year’s meeting, we do have cause for celebration. As usual, we will be honoring some of the preeminent individuals in our fields. On other matters, I want to express sincere appreciation to a number of people for their hard work this year. Many thanks go to Rani and Mayur Desai, the Section’s (and possibly the Association’s) first husband – wife program chairs, for once again putting together a terrific program. Rani will become Section chair at the end of December’s meeting. Our administrative structure has been somewhat disrupted by the necessity of Jim Hall, the chair-elect, having to withdraw for health reasons. The chair–elect has certain functions that would not have been filled had it not been for a number of individuals, including David Mandell, Anthony Kouzis, Rick Beineke and others who stepped up and helped out. This edition of the Newsletter, in fact, was placed in some jeopardy, as Betty Lin, our longtime editor, needed to step down, but was rescued at the last minute by Anthony Kouzis, who is now Newsletter editor. Likewise, the booth chair position became vacant, but thanks to Kathy Thomas of UNC-Chapel Hill, that position also has been filled.
The most recent elections call for congratulations to David Mandell, who was voted chair-elect, and to Mayur Desai and Rebecca White, who were elected to the Section Council. We wish them success and will do all we can to help them have smooth transitions and successful terms in office.
I’m sure I’ve left out things, but as you’ve noticed, I send messages to the membership fairly frequently, so if anything of importance emerges, including information on the 2005 meeting, you will hear from me.
Again, thanks to everyone for their help, and I look forward to seeing you all in December. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Gulf coast.
With very best wishes,
Bill Fisher
Section Chair