Mental Health Parity
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Luana Bossolo Assistant Executive Director Public Relations APA Practice Directorate Psychologists as a Consumer Resource Mental Health Parity
description
Mental Health Parity. Psychologists as a Consumer Resource. Luana Bossolo Assistant Executive Director Public Relations APA Practice Directorate. Parity - Opportunity for Psychologists. Position Psychologists as a Resource Build a PR Strategy Talk to Executive Director & Board - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Mental Health Parity
Luana BossoloAssistant Executive DirectorPublic RelationsAPA Practice Directorate
Psychologists as a Consumer Resource
Mental Health Parity
Parity - Opportunity for Psychologists
Position Psychologists as a Resource
• Build a PR Strategy
• Talk to Executive Director & Board
• Determine how much you can do
• Use Existing Resources
• Team up with other organizations
Parity - Opportunity for Psychologists
PR Strategy
• Media Relations
• Community Outreach Strategy
• Online Strategy
Parity - Opportunity for Psychologists
Media Relations• Identify spokesperson• Map out a media plan• Proactive – outreach to reporters• Reactive – respond to news
• Create Informational Items • Fact Sheets, FAQ, Press Releases• Consider using APA parity resources and customize
APA press release for your own SPTA use
Parity - Opportunity for Psychologists
Identify News Opportunities• Open Enrollment Season• Depression Screening Day in October• Mental Health Awareness Month October• Stress and the Economy• New Year’s – “new year, new law going into
effect”
Parity - Opportunity for Psychologists
Community Outreach Strategy• Offer informational discussions with local organizations
Rotary Clubs, Women’s Groups
Parenting Organizations
Local Mental Health Associations• Team Up with PEC Network – YMCA Partnership, local
Y’s may like the idea of a PEC presentation on stress. You can also handout the parity materials.
Parity - Opportunity for Psychologists
Online Strategy• Push information out….• SPTA websites• Practitioner websites• Consumer group websites• Track blogs, respond to blogs covering mental health
issues, use it as an opportunity to discuss parity
Use Existing Resources
Sample of Colorado PEC Coordinator Dr. Stephanie Smith’s monthly e-newsletter. This is a great communications vehicle to use in delivering information about parity.
Partner with Other Organizations
Some SPTAs have consumer websites such as this one developed by members of the Maryland Psychological Association. This is a great online vehicle to disseminate parity information. Add an article about the new parity law, include links to the parity documents and be sure to include your web address in any communications to reporters or local community organizations.
Opportunity for Psychologists
Many other professions and organizations are already positioning themselves as a resource on the new parity law, This e-newsletter article was published by an insurance agent. This new mental health parity law going into effect is a great opportunity for psychologists and SPTAs to make themselves visible to the public and media.
Use Existing Resources
• APA Consumer & Employer Resources on Parity • APA Press Releases & Surveys• APAhelpcenter.org• PHWA.org
Luana BossoloAssistant Executive DirectorPublic RelationsAPA Practice Directorate
Psychologists as a Consumer Resource
Mental Health Parity
