Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I wanted to alert you to 3 Positions Statements that were approved by
the Executive Council during the meetings:
–Position Statement Regarding Psychoanalysts* Providing Commentary on
Public Figures
–Impact of Immigration Policy on Children, Individuals, and Families
—Impact of Bullying and Harassment on Gender Non-Conforming and LGBT Youth
Click Here to Read Position Statements
The Social Issues Department led by Prudy Gourguechon deserve should
be applauded. I encourage members to view these statements, and use
them as a resource in speaking out your local communities, to the
media, and in settings such as schools, clinics, hospitals,
universities, and related settings.
On a personal note, when the position statement regarding the impact
of immigration enforcement was read to the Council by Carmela Perez, I
stood next to her and became a bit emotional, speechless actually (an
unusual thing for me!!), overwhelmed that the Council unanimously
approved the statement. “My kids,” I thought–students expelled from
the regular high schools for emotional and behavior problems, drugs,
gang related behavior, kids that the public school system often cares
little about, many of whom are undocumented for no fault of their own,
were now were being thought about and considered by OUR Council.
I returned to Chicago last week and informed the principal of our
school, Mr. Hernandez, of the Position Statement approval. He
remarked, “It’s good to know that a bunch of psychoanalysts in New
York care about our students. I bet that’s first………”
A first or not, I feel quite proud of APsaA. Consider how that is one
more step in changing the public’s view of psychoanalysts and
psychoanalysis.
Best regards, Mark Smaller; ……….Chairman, Public Information Committee
—
“Psychoanalysis: Now More Than Ever”
Mark D. Smaller, Ph.D.;
President-elect (elect), American Psychoanalytic Association
Founding Director, Analytic Service to Adolescents Program (ASAP)
www.markdsmaller.com