The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is one of the most recognized organizations for psychiatrists in the world, and it contains more than 36,000 members. These members specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness. While the name of the organization might make one believe that this is firmly an American or North American group, they have members all over the world.

The group has been around for more than 165 years, and they’ve developed into a powerful organization in that time. The APA wants to make sure that psychiatrists everywhere are caring for their patients properly, and that they are providing them with the absolute best care available. The APA also stresses the importance of research into mental illnesses and works tirelessly as an advocate for the profession of psychiatry. Most of the people who make up the membership of the APA are psychiatrists or those who are in the process of becoming psychiatrists.

What are the Benefits of Membership for Psychiatrists?

Members will have a strong advocate in the APA which works at the local and national level to educate the public, the media, policy makers, law enforcement, and others about mental illness and what it means. When you are a member of the APA, you are going to have access to all of the latest information, clinical studies, and research in the field.

Members receive The American Journal of Psychiatry, which is the country’s leading publication for psychiatrists. In addition, members are able to receive Psychiatric News, which is a bimonthly newspaper that covers a variety of topics on the subject of psychiatry. Those who become members of the APA will have a wealth of resources readily available. Some of the most impressive include access to the Managed Care Help Lin and the Practice Management for Early Career Psychiatrists Reference Guide.

The networking opportunities are also vast within the organization. Through the conferences and meetings, district branches, online forums, newsletters, and more, it will be possible to have access to some of the best minds and most interesting research in the field. The APA also offers CME programs, scholarships, travel awards, funding for research, fellowships, and many other benefits. Members will be able to receive quite a few other types of discounts as well, including savings on home and auto insurance, retirement planning, car rental discounts, legal consultation, and more.

Is Joining Worthwhile?

Those who are psychiatrists or who are going to school to become a psychiatrist will definitely want to join this prestigious organization. It covers many different disciplines, including forensic psychiatry. However, you have to keep in mind that there is a difference between forensic psychiatry and forensic psychology. A psychologist is a PhD, while a psychiatrist is an MD. Only psychiatrists are going to be able to join the APA, but forensic psychologists are going to be able to find quite a few other programs and organizations especially for psychologists that have many of the same benefits.

Please visit http://www.psych.org/ for more information about the American Psychiatric Association (APA).