The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) applauds the New York Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez for speaking about his personal experience with therapy and calling it, “an incredible thing.”
For immediate release:
May 27, 2005
Contact:
Jim Wood, Director Development and Communications
202.966.7300, ext. 120, jwood@aacap.org
Erin Hanson, Communications Specialist
202.966.7300, ext. 119, ehanson@aacap.org
WASHINGTON, DC—The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) applauds the New York Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez for speaking about his personal experience with therapy and calling it, “an incredible thing.”
“Mr. Rodgriguez has done children and families a great service by speaking publicly about his positive experience with therapy. As a widely recognized and respected role model, his candor will inspire many families to seek help as the stigma attached to mental illnesses is one of the largest barriers that families face,” said AACAP President Richard Sarles, M.D.
In addition to the stigma attached to mental illnesses, the AACAP identifies families’ lack of access to quality care as another major hurdle. Access to appropriately trained clinicians is impeded for families by lack of funds and a nationwide shortage of mental health care professionals, in particular, child and adolescent psychiatrists.
For children and families who are thinking about getting help, the AACAP offers its Facts for Families series. The series, which addresses more than 88 mental health related topics includes information such as where and when to seek help, and how families can better understand their health insurance. Click here for Facts for Families in English and Spanish.
Representing over 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
Our Facts for Families, available free of charge on the AACAP website, provide concise and up-to-date information on a wide array of issues relating to children’s mental health. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, these 88 one-page fact sheets are valuable to anyone raising or working with children. In addition, the AACAP routinely refers the media to expert spokespeople on child and adolescent issues, and sponsors The Campaign for America’s Kids – an initiative designed to fund an Advocacy Institute for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with the goal of mental health for all children.
AACAP Mission: The Mission of the AACAP is the promotion of mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.
