As the calendar turns to May, it marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial period for advocating, understanding, and destigmatizing mental health issues. This year, amidst the ongoing global challenges, the focus on mental health couldn't be more relevant. Mental health is not just a personal issue; it's a universal human right that demands attention, care, and advocacy. It's a reminder that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves access to mental health resources, support, and understanding. Mental health issues often face discrimination, neglect, and lack of resources, hindering individuals from exercising this fundamental human right. One of the primary barriers to mental health care is stigma. Fear of judgment and discrimination prevents many from seeking help or speaking openly about their struggles. In October during LACPA convention Dr. Derald Wing Sue will provide us with the knowledge, skills and tactics that we can use in our continuing efforts to disarm and dismantle racism and bias. 

Access to mental health services is another critical aspect of ensuring mental health as a universal human right. 

2024 LACPA Presidential Theme: Mental Health as a Universal Human Right
Peyman Raoofi, Psy.D.

I am honored to serve as LACPA’s president for 2024. My connection to the LACPA community spans over a decade, dating back to 2010, ten years after I emigrated from Iran, and covers nearly my entire career in psychology. LACPA is more than just an organization to me; it's a second family. My journey with LACPA began by serving as the chair of the Student Leadership Committee. In 2011, I received the award for Distinguished Service to LACPA by a Graduate Student. Subsequently, I was elected as Secretary of the Board of Directors. I have maintained my involvement by chairing the Community Outreach Committee. This committee collaborated with the Los Angeles Public Library to organize numerous virtual mental health presentations for the public during the COVID lockdown. I am also grateful for LACPA's support in initiating and executing ten holiday Toy Drives, which have benefited the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

Beyond LACPA, I have been actively engaged on a global scale. I have held leadership roles in many non-profit organizations and attended multiple meetings of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. I had the privilege of engaging in face-to-face conversations with two United Nations (U.N.) Secretary Generals in New York. In 2018, I was honored with the Mental Health Heroes Award from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Finally, I participated in an advocacy effort led by the APA Office of International Affairs and the Psychology Coalition at the U.N. and our advocacy bore fruit when our resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly. The resolution, for the first time, encourages member states to work towards integrating mental health into primary health care by 2030.
The theme I have chosen for 2024 is “Mental Health as a Universal Human Right.” Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest standard of mental health. This encompasses the right to be shielded from mental health risks, the right to accessible, acceptable, and high-quality care, and the right to liberty, independence, and inclusion within the community. As defined by the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease. This universal approach is relatively new and indicates a shift in how “the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being,” first enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75 years ago, is now understood. A report by the U.N. Human Rights Office highlights that individuals with mental health conditions and those with psychosocial disabilities, experience disproportionately higher rates of poor physical health and have a reduced life expectancy compared to the general population.

The year 2024 offers LACPA and its members a unique opportunity to rally behind the theme "Mental Health as a Universal Human Right." Our collective efforts can enhance knowledge, raise awareness, and drive actions that promote and safeguard the mental health of all. I extend an invitation to all of you to join me in pursuing these objectives: to eradicate stigma, discrimination, and violence related to mental health; to uphold and protect the human rights of individuals with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities; and to advance our comprehension of mental health through scientific exploration, collaborative initiatives, and shared insights. By working together, we can create a community where individuals are supported, stigma is eradicated, and mental health is acknowledged as an integral component of overall well-being. We must ensure that no one is left behind, and that mental health is truly a priority for us all.

LACPA’s ethos has always been what underpins the goals of the new Board of Psychology Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements:

The ongoing development of multi-faceted competencies needed for quality professional performance through a variety of learning and professional activities.

Here’s how you can meet most (if not all) of your CPD needs through involvement in the Los Angeles County Psychological Association.

Co-occurring disorders
Natalie Feinblatt, Psy.D.
LACPA Local Advocacy Network (LAN) Chair & Board Member

Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis, refers to the presence of two or more disorders or conditions in an individual simultaneously. These disorders can be mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or Bipolar Disorder, or they can be substance use disorders such as alcoholism or drug addiction.

Co-occurring disorders can be challenging to diagnose and treat, as symptoms from one disorder can often mask or worsen the symptoms of another disorder. However, it is essential to identify and address co-occurring disorders to provide individuals with the best possible treatment and outcomes.

In the United States an estimated 8.4 million adults experience both a mental health disorder and a substance abuse disorder in a given year. Among individuals with a substance abuse disorder, 43% also have a mental health disorder, and among individuals with a mental health disorder, 20% also have a substance abuse disorder.

The causes of co-occurring disorders are complex and can vary. However, several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing both a mental health disorder and a substance abuse disorder simultaneously, including:

Alcohol abuse: links to common diseases
By Miriam Hamideh, Ph.D., LACPA 2023 President

Excessive drinking can have a variety of negative effects on the body. In fact, alcohol abuse is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. In this blog, we will explore the link between alcohol abuse and common diseases. We will also provide you with some important facts that you should know about the dangers of excessive drinking.

Liver Diseases: The liver is a vital organ that plays an important role in breaking down and filtering out toxins from the body. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of liver diseases, including:

Supporting Parents of Children with Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Daniel Franklin, Ph.D. LACPA Continuing Education Chair & Board Member

Language-based learning disabilities (LBLDs) such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD impact over 2.4 million students in the United States and represent over 45 percent of all students receiving special education. When children, teens, and young adults have LBLDs, families often face an array of challenges at school and at home. Parents and clinicians frequently ask me for strategies they can use to make schoolwork go more smoothly for these children. The strategies I recommend address many of the challenges students with LBLDs and their parents contend with day-to-day, but they are not a set of “quick fixes.” My approach is a collaborative method that encourages parents to commit their time, energy, and kindness to improve their child’s learning experience. 

Welcome to the Los Angeles County Psychological Association!
By Daniel Franklin, Ph.D.
LACPA Membership Committee Chair & Board Member

I joined the Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) over six years ago. I am a board-certified educational therapist, and I was seeking a strong, clinical organization to be a member of that would represent my interest in the areas of psychology, education, and mental health. I was especially drawn to LACPA because of the many opportunities to connect with psychologists and affiliated clinicians and practitioners.

Upon joining, I quickly took advantage of the opportunity to submit an article to the Los Angeles Psychologist, the LACPA award-winning quarterly magazine. It was gratifying to have my article published in the following issue. I am now one of the co-editors of Los Angeles Psychologist. I also joined the LACPA Child and Adolescent Special Interest Group, which I am now the co-facilitator of.

Creative Resilience: Harnessing Uncertainty to Achieve Balance
Miriam Hamideh, Ph.D. 

It is an honor to once again be a part of LACPA leadership, now joining you as President for the 2023 term. To better demonstrate my commitment to LACPA and to our profession, I would like to share a little about my personal, educational, and professional journey.

I have been working as a psychologist since 1990. My journey began at the Catholic University of Pelotas (UCPEL) in Brazil, where I found my passion for psychology. I then moved to Buenos Aires, where I worked at a private psychiatric clinic and wrote my doctoral thesis at Belgrano University.

Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D. 

It is an honor to join you as LACPA’s 2022 president. To share a little about me, I have been a practicing psychologist for the past 25 years, most of it in Los Angeles. The first 10 years, I worked as a staff psychologist at the Los Angeles County Jail. After a brief side trip to Shanghai with my family from 2008 - 2010, where I worked as a psychologist serving the expatriate community, I started my private practice, which has since expanded to a group practice specializing in eating disorders.

Remembering Our Shared Humanity
Kenneth Skale, Psy.D.

Four years and seven months ago (or thereabouts) I began my journey in LACPA leadership as a student representative, and somehow I find myself here today as LACPA’s incoming president for 2020. For those familiar with the responsibility this entails, you would be forgiven for asking why someone would want to do this! Stepping into this role comes with a host of meetings, events, speeches, and a truly untoward amount of emails on top of everyday practice and home life. Nietzsche is quoted as saying, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” The duties of LACPA’s presidency are enjoyable and rewarding, save the emails, but as I have watched our past-presidents shoulder this responsibility, I realized I would need a compelling why of my own to make it through.

Connect. Collaborate. Get Inspired!
Leticia C. Amick, Ph.D.

My name is Leticia C. Amick and my journey in LACPA leadership began as a committee member - the Networking committee to be specific - and later on as Secretary and President-Elect on the Board. In January I’ll begin my term as President with – I must admit – a little trepidation but also with a sense of gratitude to be so intimately involved with LACPA. I face this opportunity knowing how important this organization is to me and hopefully to all of you too.

Self-Care and Balance
Lynne A. Steinman, Ph.D.

Here I am writing my first President’s Column (actually, I’m still President-Elect for a few more days) for the LA Psychologist and introducing my theme for 2018 – Self-Care and Balance. When I first thought about writing these columns, I considered researching the topic and reading a bunch of scholarly articles. Then I reconsidered and decided that I’d be practicing much better self-care by reading a sci-fi novel in my backyard!

Professional Advocacy: Do a Lot by Doing a Little More.
Lisa Osborn, Psy.D.

Once again, it is time for the annual issue of The Los Angeles Psychologist devoted to professional advocacy. We are now in our fifth year, which I find very hard to believe. Where has the time gone? Again, I would like to offer my expression of gratitude to the Editorial Board and LACPA Board of Directors for their commitment to the vital importance of professional advocacy to our profession and providing a forum in which to continue to educate and inspire our membership.