The mission of the Ohio Psychological Association Committee on Social Responsibility is to promote and coordinate the involvement of psychologists in programs and projects in the community, including advancing a social justice agenda by applying the science and practice of psychology to human welfare, as well as advocating for the fair treatment of Ohio residents through education, training and public policy.
The theme of this month is "Path to Wellness." For more information, to download the Intro and Media Tools kit, fact sheets, posters and electronic calendar, please visit the Mental Health Month America website. More posts will be coming, so stay tuned!
1. Enhance image of psychologists through encouraging pro bono work.
a) Suicide Prevention Walks in October
b) “For the Greater Good” articles highlighting volunteer work by Ohio Psychologists
c) Media Award
2. Plan for unique community programs that can be implemented under the auspices of the OPA, involving psychologists and others.
a) Eating Disorder Awareness Week (February)
b) Legislative Health Fair (May)
c) VA Health Fair, Mental Health Awareness Month (May)
d) A Home Within Project
e) YMCA Programs
f) Library Programs
g) High school psychology class speaker requests
3. Inform and educate the OPA Board and member psychologists about relevant social justice issues that affect Ohio residents in collaboration with the Diversity Committee, LGBT Subcommittee and other parts of the OPA structure.
a) “Did You Know” articles in the OPA Notes e-newsletter
b) Foodbank Drive (May-June)
c) Social networking
i) OPA Facebook Page
ii) OPA on Twitter
iii) COSR Blog
4. Work with the OPA Advocacy Committee to support the development of public policy that promotes equitable mental health treatment and other applications of psychological principles for societal concerns.
a) Legislative Health Fair in conjunction with OPA Legislative Day (May)
b) PEC and other committee members at State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. (March)
5. Represent psychology in public forums and with other mental health organizations and consumers.
a) Legislative Health Fair (May)
b) VA Health Fair (May)
6. Provide resources about mental health issues to the public via the Public Education Campaign and the Public Section of the OPA website, with the purpose of informing the public about psychology, and destigmatizing mental illness and use of mental health services.
a) Social networking
i) OPA Facebook Page
ii) OPA on Twitter
iii) COSR Blog
b) Media Award
c) YMCA Programs
d) Library Programs
e) High school psychology class speaker requests
f) Legislative Health Fair
g) VA Health Fair
h) Support group resources/self-help section of OPA website
7. Work together with OPA as a whole to recognize psychologists who have contributed their expertise and service significantly to the cause of public interest.
a) “For the Greater Good” Articles
b) Media Award
Elizabeth Harris, Ph.D. (Chair)
Mary Lewis