FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, March 25, 2020 CONTACT Kim I. Mills kmills@apa.org (202) 336-6048 APA CALLS FOR DESTIGMATIZING CORONAVIRUS Association president warns against spreading xenophobia along with virus WASHINGTON — The American Psychological Association joins with prominent health groups such as the World Health Organization in condemning the use of language linking the coronavirus with China or a specific region within China (e.g., “Chinese virus,” “Wuhan virus”). Such language tends to promote bias and xenophobia, which can have damaging health effects on Asian Americans and other minorities. “Decades of research show discrimination is associated with poorer health and mental health among LGBTQ, Asian-American, African-American, American Indian, Native Alaskan, Muslim American and Latinx populations,” said APA President Sandra L. Shullman, PhD. “Stigmatized groups are particularly vulnerable during epidemics and pandemics—and it can put them and others at increased risk. That’s because stigma can lead people to hide symptoms of illness and refrain from seeking medical care to avoid discrimination.” She noted an increasing number of news reports document instances of stereotyping, harassment and bullying directed at people perceived to be of Asian descent following the spread of the new coronavirus. “Members of stigmatized groups may not seek health care when they need it and may further isolate themselves, which comes with its ownhealth risks,” she said.“In addition, stigmatized groups are more likely to be un- or underinsured, to have difficulty accessing culturally appropriate care, and to face bias in health-care systems, all of which ultimately compound the difficulty of containing the spread of viruses.” APA has developeda fact sheetwith guidance for policymakers, leaders, the media and the public on how to talk about the coronavirus in a manner that does not stigmatize any group. “We all share responsibility for good public health practice,” Shullman said. “Just as we know to wash our hands and maintain appropriate social distance, we should practice good behaviors when it comes to embracing and valuing diverse peoples and communities.”

Here’s a roundup of APA resources for students, faculty, psychologists, supervisors, trainees and high school teachers of psychology. Thought it might be easier to provide these quick links.

Please share with colleagues, post to other listservs and pass along to psychologists, postdocs, interns and students who are seeking information and guidance. Be sure to check the APA website weekly for updates and new resources.

Cathi Grus, PhD

Chief Education Officer

American Psychological Association

APA Commission on Accreditation COVID-19 updates
The Commission on Accreditation is having discussions to formulate guidance regarding accreditation and OPCA staff are working to communicate this guidance as it is formulated.

COVID-19 Education FAQs 

Addressing issues affecting graduate students, postdocs, interns and faculty with supervision and training responsibilities.

APA electronic resources available for distance learning
Free access to a variety of books and other academic materials offered during shut-down period.

APA offers free access to Publication Manual and other resources through May 25
To support academic libraries and their many patrons, we are providing temporary free access to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th and 7th editions), the Concise Guide to APA Style, and more than 160 other books published by APA Books through VitalSource and RedShelf.

Advice for psychology supervisors and trainees on caring for patients during the COVID-19 crisis
As public health and education officials continue to monitor the spread of the coronavirus, here is advice for supervisors and trainees at psychology training programs on how to prepare for and adapt to fluctuating circumstances specific to patient care.

COVID-19 relevant free journal articles 
This free collection includes relevant psychological research published across the APA Journals portfolio. We will update this collection on an ongoing basis.

Free CE series on telepsychology best practice 
For a limited time, APA'S four-part Continuing Education in Psychology series "Telepsychology Best Practice 101" is available free of charge. 

Psychology lesson plans made available to all teachers by APA
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) has made psychology unit lessons available freely for the benefit all teachers.

Conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic
Advice from psychological researchers on protecting participants, animals and research plans.

I wanted to pass along some resources I received during a call today with the National Center for PTSD: 

Managing Stress Associated with COVID-19:https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID19ManagingStress032020.pdf

LANCET: The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence (2020) 
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30460-8/fulltext

JAMA: Supporting the Health Care Workforce During the COVID-19 Global Epidemic (2019) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763136

NEJM: Virtually Perfect? Telemedicine for COVID-19 (2020) 
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2003539

APA and ATA: Best Practices in Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health (2018) https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/telepsychiatry/blog/apa-and-ata-release-new-telemental- health-guide

American Psychiatric Association Telepsychiatry Toolkit (but great resource for others as well): https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/telepsychiatry/toolkit
            
                                               
American Telemedicine Association: The ATA Response to COVID-19 (new) https://info.americantelemed.org/covid-19-news-resources
                                                                                                                                     
National Child Traumatic Stress Network https://www.nctsn.org/
                                   
Sending all the best thoughts during this challenging time, 

Julie Dimmitt, Ph.D.,Licensed Clinical Psychologist

15951 Los Gatos Blvd, Suite 14Los Gatos, CA 95032