As the nation’s leading organization of psychiatrists committed to treatment of those with substance use disorders, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders, AAAP strongly condemns this week’s assault on the U.S. Capitol. We stand for unity and equity of all people and the essential maintenance of the integrity of our nation’s electoral process and its democratic institutions. We recognize this past year’s pandemic has already traumatized or severely stressed all of us, with deaths of over 365,000 in the U.S. alone. The most recent events at the Capitol represent another trauma and we remain concerned about their impact on our Members of Congress, their staff, those charged with their protection, and the American public that, of course, includes all of us and those we treat.
We have seen increases in mental health symptoms, in substance use and collateral adverse health consequences, and in drug-related overdose and suicide deaths.
We are here as a community to support one another and the essential service we provide to the most vulnerable. If needed, please reach out to your colleagues in AAAP, and the leadership of AAAP is here to help as well.
Sincerely,
On behalf of the AAAP Board and Staff,
Kevin A. Sevarino, MD, PhD
President
