Page 22 contains a report from the 2009 American Stress Survey, part of APA’s ongoing public education campaign on mental and physical health. This study provides insight into the main causes of stress and creates a platform to educate consumers about the contribution of stress to the development and persistence of chronic diseases, and to appropriately manage unhealthy levels of stress. Commit to the necessary lifestyle and behavioral changes.
The 2008 Stress Survey generated nearly 800 news articles and media coverage with a value of $5 million. In 2009, within just days of publication, the study reached approximately 28 million people through 850 articles on television, radio, newspapers, blogs, and news and health websites. APA has become the media’s primary source of information on stress.
For more than a decade, APA’s public education campaigns have informed Americans about the value of psychological services and the role of psychologists in treating mental health disorders. What initially began as ‘Tell Someone Who Can Help’, a campaign to tackle stigma and encourage individuals with psychological issues to seek help, has now become a multi-faceted social community that addresses resilience and the mind-body connection. has evolved into a marketing campaign.
Social marketing has long been considered by public health agencies and the federal government to be the best approach to promoting behavior change and promoting disease prevention. APA’s current campaign, “For a Healthy Mind and Body…Consult a Psychologist,” leverages social marketing principles such as the use of consumer research, monitoring audience perceptions, and a multifaceted communication approach. Based on.
This campaign helps the public understand the central role that psychologists play in physical and mental health. This is an especially important message as we debate the future of health care in this country and the role psychologists should play in treating health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic pain.
A mental and physical health campaign includes a comprehensive communications strategy that includes media relations, online marketing, strategic partnerships, community outreach, and more. It combines behavioral health research with public opinion data on disease management, stress, and lifestyle.
The campaign emphasizes the role of psychologists in preventing disease and promoting health, and their skills in addressing behavioral and emotional issues in individuals. We also encourage psychologists as doctoral-trained professionals whose clinical practice is strongly rooted in science.
An integral part of the campaign is a grassroots network of psychologists across North America who communicate the campaign message through various community outreach efforts and media interviews. As an active participant in this campaign over the years, I have experienced firsthand the importance of direct connections between psychologists and the public. This type of community engagement increases awareness of psychology and the many ways psychologists can help individuals and communities develop skills and implement strategies for healthier lives. .
To further expand our outreach efforts, APA has partnered with the YMCA of the United States. With more than 2,600 YMCAs in the United States serving more than 20 million people, he now has a new venue where he can connect psychologists directly with the public. (See the May 2009 issue for program details) monitor. )
This year, the theme of the APA Annual National Leadership Conference in March is “The Power of Advocacy.” Advocacy is more than just marching on Washington and visiting members of Congress. It starts with a strong and clear message to policymakers as well as the public. We know that psychologists and the services we provide are essential to the well-being of individuals, communities, and nations. That’s why APA invests in public education campaigns that reach millions of people each year. But we need your help to spread the message of psychology to the world.
