Mental Health Pathfinders: Advocacy, Access, and Accountability With APA President Theresa Miskimen Rivera

In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, APA President Dr. Teresa Miskimen Rivera discusses the outlook for her presidential year, and her focus on addressing the workforce crisis in psychiatry. She highlights the increasing demand for mental health services, the shortage of psychiatrists, and the administrative burdens faced by practitioners. Dr. Miskimen Rivera emphasizes the importance of advocacy, strategic planning, and member engagement to address these challenges and improve mental health outcomes across the nation.

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Welcome to mental health pathfinders.
Today we're joined by Dr.
Miskemin Rivera, current president of the American Psychiatric Association.
Her presidential platform focuses on tackling the workforce crisis in psychiatry throughadvocacy, strategic planning, and platform reform.
She's working to reduce administrative burdens, expand training opportunities, and ensuremental health remains a national priority.

(00:32):
Thank you so much for joining us today.
appreciate it.
And thank you, Erin.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity to be here today and talk duringthis podcast.
Looking forward.
Absolutely.
Well, let's get right into it.
know, workforce concerns were central to your campaign and continued to be a priority inyour presidency.

(00:57):
How do you define the workforce challenge as it exists today?
And why does it require a multi-year strategic approach?
So that's a great question, Erin.
And the current challenge is actually a result of many factors over time.
We currently have been experiencing an increased demand for mental health and addictionservices, especially over the past five years.

(01:25):
And this increased demand has actually collided with a shortage of psychiatrists and it'sunsustainable time grabs related to non-clinical.
and administrative burdens.
For instance, can we start that again?
Can we start that again?

(01:45):
Give me a second.
This is where the...
No, no.
You know what it is.
I literally just finished lunch.
I should not have done that.
Give me one second.
Let me take some tea.
you