Press Release: Landmark 2025 APA Annual Meeting Spotlighting Lifestyle Psychiatry and Activism
Philadelphia, PA – The 2025 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting has commenced with significant recognition for its timely themes and collective activism. Dr. H. Steven Moffic, a retired psychiatrist and a prominent figure in mental health advocacy, described this year’s gathering as "one of the most important, and even landmark, psychiatric annual meetings in history."
The meeting highlights two critical distinctions: first, its focus on lifestyle psychiatry, a theme that addresses the urgent need for self-care among psychiatrists grappling with burnout, and second, an unprecedented public rally where approximately 50-100 psychiatrists demonstrated against the ongoing global crises, including war and climate change. Moffic noted, "There’s been a lot of psychiatric activism in the past, but nothing collective that I have known of like this."
Dr. Moffic, who specializes in cultural and ethical dimensions of psychiatry, has a notable history of leadership and advocacy in the field. He is the recipient of the upcoming 2024 Abraham Halpern Humanitarian Award, reflecting his longstanding commitment to mental health issues. His work includes a well-regarded column, “Psychiatric Views on the Daily News,” and a video series, "Psychiatry & Society," initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As he prepares to deliver the Rabbi Jeffrey B. Stiffman lecture, Dr. Moffic emphasizes the need for a proactive approach to mental health in the face of climate instability, physician burnout, and xenophobia. He is currently editing a pivotal final volume on religions and psychiatry, underscoring his continuous contribution to the dialogue surrounding mental health and societal issues.
The APA Annual Meeting promises to be a platform for not only addressing pressing psychiatric concerns but also advocating for systemic change in the face of rising mental health challenges.
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