A Message from Donald Wertlieb, PhD, President 2012-2013.
Donald Wertlieb, PhD, President

Orthopsychiatry???

Not a word or concept common to the working vocabulary of many, professionals or citizens, but for us at the American Orthopsychiatric Association, a tag conveying a rich and powerful  tradition  as well as a vital 21st Century mission and vision basic to our research, practice and policy initiatives:  Interdisciplinary approaches to Mental Health and Social Justice.

Google it – and most of the 800,000 hits for “orthopsychiatry” will circle you back to us and 85 years of science documented in our pre-eminent American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.  And several of the hits will provide you with dictionary definitions highlighting elements such as prevention of psychiatric disorders, promotion of mental health, integrative biopsychosociocultural perspectives, child development, and human rights.

Since our founding in 1923, “Ortho” has constructed the key platforms, venues and networks for progressive and proactive science, practice and policy promoting mental health, championing social justice, and cultivating interdisciplinary collaboration on these complex and compelling shared agendas.

If you are already an “Ortho” member, surf this website to find issues, projects, and opportunities that engage and support your particular pieces of the mental health and social justice enterprise.  Step forward to lead or join a task force or study team.  Let us know how our organization can be part of your initiatives.

If you are a graduate student seeking mentoring in these complex and challenging arenas of  social justice and mental health, check out our new mentor service http://www.aoatoday.com/mentoring-details.php   Seasoned professionals, join the network and take a student under your wings – a truly vital investment in our futures.

Scan our roster of distinguished and prestigious awards  http://www.aoatoday.com/award.php  and nominate deserving individuals or causes.

Come to Greenville in March for our 4th annual symposium,  CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND SOCIETY: A Half-Century of Change http://www.familysymposium.com/  .  Network with current and future Ortho members, identify opportunities for getting involved in Ortho governance, connect with kindred souls and resources working for mental health and social justice.

Subscribe to our Washington Blast – timely updates on policy issues compiled by our Washington, D.C. Policy Fellow, or follow us on Twitter @AOAToday  to keep abreast of these front lines for mental health and social justice matters:  http://www.aoatoday.com/news.php

Please let me hear from you about how Otho might serve you better, and how you might move us forward in our mutual quests.  To current members, thank you for your loyalty and support;  to prospective members, join us as we continue to blaze trails in science, practice and policy.