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Join us for a Meet the Moment Town Hall Meeting Tonight!

You are invited to AK-PA’s Call to Action: Meet the Moment Zoom Town Hall Series!

Meet the Moment: Addressing Inequality
August 10, 2020  |  6-8pm

Zoom meeting ID: 854 7598 5290
Passcode: 228975

Presenters: Kathleen Baldwin-Johnson (Crisis Now) and Deputy Chief Ken McCoy (Anchorage Police Department)

The goal: To start the conversation about addressing inequality in our communities, including the impact of racism and health disparities in physical and mental health in Alaska.

Why: The Alaska Psychological Association is committed to justice and speaking up in times of injustice. We believe that no one should have to feel fear, anxiety, or threatened because of their skin color. We are committed to highlighting and celebrating diversity.

Please join us with your questions and concerns!

This is the first in a series of Town Hall meetings hosted by AK-PA to address inequality in our community. We will continue this iportant dialogue with ongoing Meet the Moment Town Halls via Zoom.

The focus of AK-PA’s first Town Hall in the Meet the Moment series identifies ways the mental health community can address issues related to racism and mental health in policing and behavioral health crisis management (Crisis Now model).

In an effort to provide information about current needs and to learn more about the role of mental health providers in fighting for equality, we have invited Kathleen Baldwin-Johnson with Crisis Now and Deputy Chief Ken McCoy with APD to speak with us.

In preparation for AK-PA’s first Meet the Moment or to learn more, watch current ongoing courageous conversations in our community:

Town Hall with Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and APD as an introduction to APD policing: https://www.facebook.com/MayorBerkowitz/videos/virtual-town-hall-with-mayor-berkowitz-and-apd/695338884373686

KTUU One Alaska discussion with community leaders: https://www.ktuu.com/2020/07/28/ktuu-2-hour-special-one-alaska-many-voices/

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Standing with Our Community

“Racism is associated with a host of psychological consequences, including depression, anxiety, and other serious, sometimes debilitating conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders. Moreover, the stress caused by racism can contribute to the development of cardiovascular and other physical diseases” (American Psychological Association, Sandra Shullman, 2020).

The Alaska Psychological Association condemns racism and recognizes racism as a psychological health and medical health emergency. We condemn the murders of Black people, Indigenous people, and all people of color at the hands of police officers. We stand with the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the countless others who have died due to racial inequality and injustice.

These recent incidents highlight the over four hundred years of institutionalized and systemic racial injustice in the United States. Incidents like these wear on the mental, emotional, and physical health of those on the end of injustice. We have a responsibility to speak up and speak out to end inequality and discrimination in this country. Racism must be a part of our ongoing conversations and commitments to change. We must not be silent, as our silence is complicit, and our silence is not our power.

The Alaska Psychological Association is committed to justice and to speaking up in times of injustice. We believe that no one should have to feel fear, anxiety, or threatened because of skin color. We are committed to highlighting and celebrating diversity. We are committed to the fight to ensure that all citizens of our state have equal access to mental health and medical health care. We pledge to focus our efforts to be a part of the greater conversations about the impacts of racism on psychological and medical health. We pledge to be a part of the solution.

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/05/racism-pandemic

 

In solidarity,

Alaska Psychological Association Board of Directors

 

Download a PDF version here

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AK-PA BOD Elections 2020

It’s that time of year again when the Alaska Psychological Association is looking to solicit nominations for individuals interested in serving as part of the AK-PA Board of Directors. Elections will be held during the month of June. AK-PA’s long-term goal is to be a statewide leader in mental health. We need your help to reach this goal and keep AK-PA an active and productive association. All full or affiliate members of AK-PA are encouraged to consider serving on the Board (if you are not currently a member, it’s not too late – you can apply on our website: www.ak-pa.org/join).

AK-PA is seeking nominations for several positions. Each position will serve a two-year term beginning August 16, 2020.

  • The Secretary creates a record of all the meetings of the Association and is a member of the Board’s Executive Committee.
  • Three Members-at-Large, who serve as a liaison between the general AK-PA membership and the Board, working to form and chair workgroups for various special interests and projects (e.g., Disaster Response Network, Early Career Psychologist, Rural Practice)
You are welcome to nominate yourself or someone else for these positions. If you are interested in learning more, have questions about Board service, or would like to submit a nomination, please send an email to info@ak-pa.org. All nominations will be reviewed by the elections workgroup and a slate of candidates will be included on the ballot. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2020.

 

Please consider nominating yourself or another member to serve on the Board – filling these positions is vital to the continued success of AK-PA!

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Reaching Out to Our Community

Dear Alaskan Community,

We know that during this time of uncertainty, many in our community are under strain and stress.  We are incredibly grateful to see how out community has come together in strength and resilience.  Please continue to connect and reach out to each other in fellowship and with resources.  On behalf of our AK-PA Board of Directors, we also want to reach out to our community to offer additional helpful resources for dealing with the impact of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Resources for Practice

Telebehavioral Health Resources

Distance Learning Resources for Students and Faculty

COVID-19 Specific Concerns

Disaster Relief Loans

Guidance on HIPPA and 42 CFR During COVID-19 Pandemic

Guidance on Reimbursement with Medicare

Direction for Health Care Professionals during COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Community Resources

Resources for Those in Need

Resources for Households during COVID-19 Pandemic

Resources for Families

Stay Informed

COVID-19 Information

As we know, the situation with the COVID-19 Pandemic is dynamic and resources will be evolving.  Please continue to connect with reliable and up-to-date information from these sources:

Please reach out to us with questions or ways your Board can support our community during this time.

Stay healthy and safe,

Alaska Psychological Association Board of Directors

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Join us for AK-PA’s Annual Meeting!

AK-PA members are invited to join the Board for AK-PA’s Annual Meeting from 6.00 – 7.00pm on Monday, December 09. We will be meeting at Marco T’s Pizzeria, 302 W Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK 99503.

Find us in the side room, hear what AK-PA has been doing for you this past year, and enjoy a complimentary beverage of your choice as a small token of thanks for your membership.

We hope to see you there!

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Upcoming CE Event — Ethics & Risk Management in a Digital World 2.0

Join AK-PA on Friday, February 22, 2019 for a 6-credit CE event, “Ethics and Risk Management in the Digital World 2.0,” presented by Daniel Taube, JD, PhD, with The Trust Insurance.

We will be livestreaming this event and current AK-PA members and students will enjoy reduced registration rates (haven’t renewed yet? there’s still time to save 10% on your 2019 membership)!

Visit our website to learn more and secure your spot at this excellent training opportunity

Hope to see you there!

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Upcoming APAGS Quarterly Event

Join us for AK-PA’s upcoming Quarterly Event (formerly 5th Fridays) on October 24th from 6pm to 7:30pm. We are honored to host Elsie Boudreau as our special presenter. Elsie’s story was portrayed in the PBS documentary The Silence and she will facilitate a discussion on historical and intergenerational trauma. Don’t miss this special opportunity to meet a true advocate for Alaskan communities!

APAGS Quarterly Event Flier