May is Mental Health Awareness Month
We hope you will take a moment to register to attend, respond to calls to action, or share information included here on the opportunities to promote awareness, education, wellness, payment parity, and advocacy to advance mental health care.
Free Virtual Film Screening: Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 6:30 pm

Join the JEM Foundation, Kid in the Corner, and the Arizona Psychiatric Society for a screening of "My Ascension," a film about Emma Benoit, a 16 year-old Varsity cheerleader whose suicide attempt left her paralyzed.

There will be a virtual support room monitored by a licensed counselor and a Q&A directly following the screening featuring Denise Denslow of the JEM Foundation, Katey McPherson, educator and youth mental health advocate, Francine Sumner of Kid in the Corner, and Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal of the Arizona Psychiatric Society. CLICK HERE for a flyer to share in the community or below to get your tickets today.
Film Synopsis: A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader, Emma Benoit, paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope, and shine more light on the fact that 20 young people die every day by suicide in the in the United States. My Ascension is a feature length documentary that chronicles Emma's inspiring journey and quest to walk again, as she works to bring Hope Squad, a school-based suicide prevention program, to Louisiana. The film also highlights the stories of two remarkable young people who tragically did not survive their attempts, and we learn first-hand from their families, friends, school officials and suicide prevention experts about the devastating effects of suicide and what can be done to prevent it.
REGISTER TODAY for the Arizona Psychiatric Society 2021 Annual Meeting held virtual on May 22, 2021, "Innovation, Integration, and Advocacy: Keys to Evolving Mental Health Outcomes."
In the video above, President Dr. Chhatwal welcomes those who have registered and invites all to join us on Saturday, May 22, 2021 for the Arizona Psychiatric Society 2021 Annual Meeting: “Innovation, Integration, and Advocacy: Keys to Evolving Mental Health Outcomes.” The full day of education, networking, and engagement will include local and national presenters on issues key to responding to the evolving mental health issues for a peri-pandemic world. 

The pre-session on the evening of Thursday, May 20, 2021 will feature the opportunity to celebrate our members and their contributions with the poster session, awards, and annual business meetings of the Arizona Psychiatric Society and the Arizona Society of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.  
FREE to APS Members and Courtesy Rates Available
for ASCAP, ArMA, and Out-of-State APA Members
For more information regarding the educational sessions, meeting faculty, and educational objectives, CLICK HERE.
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Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Arizona Psychiatric Society. The APA is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation
The APA designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits(TM). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
The Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) is offering a free online seminar on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. focusing on nutrition and mental health. Special guest Uma Naidoo, MD, Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, Faculty at Harvard Medical School, and author of This is Your Brain on Food, will be discussing the cutting edge science behind diet and psychological disorders, including the gut-brain connection, and a look at foods that have shown efficacy in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions, and learn what to eat right now to feel better. Pre-register and receive a video of the session if you are not able to attend live. CLICK HERE to Register.
Help APA Fight for Better Reimbursement for YOU – Take this Outpatient Insurance Survey by May 20th!
APA advocates on behalf of psychiatrists to increase reimbursement and decrease administrative burdens from public and private payers, legislators and regulatory agencies. 
 
To ensure APA is well-equipped to fight for better payment for clinical services, we need to know about our members’ experience with outpatient insurance participation. Your responses to questions regarding the nature of your outpatient practice & your experience with participating in health plan networks will help strengthen our arguments for appropriate reimbursement. 
 
Will you please take 5 minutes today to complete this important survey?
APA’s 2021 Federal Advocacy Conference provides a valuable opportunity for psychiatrists to lobby members of Congress on issues that affect their practice and patients. Attendees will participate in an informative half-day conference to learn about APA’s legislative agenda for the 117th Congress on Saturday, June 5. Then on Thursday, June 10, attendees will meet virtually with their members of Congress and advocate for psychiatry and patients. Registration closes Friday, May 28. CLICK HERE for more information and to REGISTER.