Advocacy

protesters demanding action
 

Stay informed on important issues impacting psychology on Capitol Hill

Join our Psychology Advocacy Network to get the latest news and action alerts from APA Services.

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Speak up. Support psychology. Improve lives.

Your voice matters in the fight to advance psychology to benefit society and improve lives. Join forces with us to maximize our impact on issues that affect psychologists, psychology and society at large.

A younger woman assists an older woman using a walker
Health equity and access

Advocating for the mental health of caregivers

APA Services submitted written testimony to the Senate Special Committee on Aging on the mental health aspects of caregiving
The National Institutes of Health building
Research funding

NIH restructuring and reforms proposal needs transparency and stakeholder input

APA Services provided input on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s proposal to reauthorize the National Institutes of Health, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review before any action is taken
A woman is engaged in a conversation with a mental health expert
Health equity and access

Supporting investments in women’s behavioral health research

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has pledged millions of dollars toward women’s health research
A teacher using a microscope, surrounded by her students
Research funding

Supporting bipartisan legislation to boost research and innovation in education

APA Services joins more than 70 organizations endorsing legislation to strengthen education research and development
A transgender patient talking to a doctor in an office
LGBTQ+

Informing sexual and gender minority health research

APA Services responded to a request for information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding their 2026–30 Strategic Plan for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research
Tisha Wiley, PhD; Katherine B. McGuire, MSc; and Janan Wyatt
Criminal justice

Briefing Congress on opioid use in justice settings

APA Services joins stakeholder groups in a Capitol Hill briefing to advocate for more funding for the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s research to address opioid use disorder in justice settings
Facade of NIH building
Research funding

Opposing radical reorganization of the National Institutes of Health

The fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill, which provides funding for the National Institutes of Health, proposes an unprecedented reorganization of the agency
A group of Minority Fellowship Program fellows
Psychology workforce development

Minority Fellowship Program fellows advocate for increased funding for the program

Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) fellows receive advocacy training from APA Services and meet with congressional offices to advocate for more funding for the program
two people in a therapy setting, both wearing masks
Research funding

Promoting psychology in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Strategic Plan

APA recommended that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) amend their strategic plan to support psychological, behavioral, and social research
Health equity

Advocating to improve health equity across the lifespan

APA members took to Capitol Hill to advocate for policies that would increase access to mental and behavioral health services through supporting telehealth and integrated care and removing unnecessary barriers to treatment in Medicare

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Tips for maximizing your advocacy

Your grassroots voice is an essential part of our efforts to advocate for psychology and psychologists on Capitol Hill. View these videos to help maximize your advocacy on federal policy.

4 Steps for Effectively Emailing Your Member of Congress

In less than five minutes, you can join thousands of other psychologists around the country in influencing policy. These four steps will help you maximize the impact of your advocacy emails.

Seven Terms That Help Explain the Congressional Policymaking Process

Knowing a few key terms will help you understand how Congress works, and help you be a better advocate for issues and legislation that impact psychology.

Federal Advocacy for Psychology: The Basics

This one-hour Advocacy 101 session prepares participants to advocate effectively for psychology on federal policies affecting the profession and its clients, and the importance of becoming an advocate. Attendees learn how best to get involved on issues of concern to the psychology community and effective tips for communicating with policymakers.

Advocacy resources


Congressional champions

The APA Services Congressional Champion Award is given to Members of Congress who have prominently championed the goals of the discipline and profession of psychology.

 

Stay informed on important issues impacting psychology on Capitol Hill

Join our Psychology Advocacy Network to get the latest news and action alerts from APA Services.

Sign up