According to Healio (8/25), in an Aug. 25 press release, “the American Psychiatric Association has underscored the importance of providing mental health access and support for individuals involved in the ongoing evacuation efforts in Afghanistan.” Not just “U.S. service members, individuals in the foreign service and their families,” but also “their Afghan co-workers and families who were evacuated should all receive support, the APA noted in” the release. Because “U.S. asylum seekers and refugees” are “at increased risk for developing mental disorders, such as PTSD and depression, the association highlighted the critical importance of providing mental health resource access for all.”
Psychiatric News (8/25) quotes APA President Vivian Pender, MD, who said, “The APA wants to extend its knowledge and resources around trauma-based care, grounded in years of research, to assist all those coming from Afghanistan.” For his part, “APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, MD, MPA, agreed.” Dr. Levin stated, “We should ensure that our country provides the needed mental health resources to address this traumatic situation for all who need them.”
Related Links:
— “APA pledges mental health support in wake of Afghanistan evacuation, Healio, August 25, 2021