Psychology Unplugged Geopolitics and Mental Health With APA President Dr. Kawahara
Nov 23, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Deborah Kawahara, the president of the American Psychological Association and a clinical psychologist, explores the intricate ties between geopolitics and mental health. She emphasizes the necessity of integrating mental health within overall health frameworks and highlights the importance of early intervention. Dr. Kawahara discusses the impact of immigration policy on community anxiety and the need for trauma-informed care. She advocates for psychologists to address past injustices and actively engage in public discourse to reduce mental health inequalities.
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Combine Data With Stories
- Use rigorous science plus real patient stories when advocating to policymakers to make arguments persuasive.
- Position mental health as part of overall health to earn a seat at the policy table.
Population Health Over Pathology
- A population-health framework shifts focus from treating pathology to prevention and early intervention for whole communities.
- Keeping most people healthy reduces later demand for high-intensity services and improves outcomes.
Listen Before Persuading
- Teach and model genuine listening and curiosity to bridge societal divides instead of proving opponents wrong.
- Approach others with kindness and compassion to enable collaborative solutions.