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Despite all efforts to reduce the need for conservatorships, they can sometimes be the last resort to
provide critical treatment to those who are gravely disabled. These individuals are the hardest to reach
and often suffer from anosognosia, a condition that prevents them from being cognitively aware of the
severity of their illness. The current definition and interpretation of “gravely disabled” does not
accurately include all who it should. SB 1416 would include in this definition a person’s ability to
provide for their own personal or medical care, or self-protection and safety, to ensure that those who
are truly vulnerable receive the help they need.

If you want to reach me about any of these issues, or any other issue pertaining to psychiatry in
California, please do: paul@syaslpartners.com.

News and Notes for APA

District Branches/State Associations

Want to keep up with APA in between newsletters? Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter,
(@APAPsychiatric), Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest news and updates.

What’s New at the APA
APA released the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM
-5-TR). DSM-5-TR includes the fully revised text and references of the DSM-5, as well as updated diag-
nostic criteria and ICD-10-CM insurance codes. It features a new disorder, Prolonged Grief Disorder, as
well as codes for suicidal behavior and nonsuicidal self-injury. The DSM-5-TR will continue to be updated
online via the same process used for the DSM-5 since 2013. Read more about the DSM-5-TR here and
purchase a copy here.

APA released a statement calling for fair and equitable treatment for patients with mental health and
substance use disorders in the wake of the Ninth Circuit Court’s ruling that overturned a February 2019
decision in Wit v. United Behavioral Health. The 2019 decision that found United Behavioral Health (UBH)
had violated its fiduciary duty by making coverage decisions based on financial interests rather than
medical standards was seen as a victory for mental health parity enforcement. You can read APA’s full
statement on the Wit decision here.

APA is part of a full nationwide preparedness campaign aimed at easing the transition from the current
National Suicide Hotline to the new 988 crisis hotline. APA and other members of the CEO Alliance for
Mental Health will push for the adoption of a roadmap for mental health crisis response before the
launch of the 988 hotline on July 16 . You can read more about 988 and the preparedness roadmap
th
from the CEO Alliance for Mental Health here.

As pandemic restrictions are being lifted in many localities, a majority of Americans report their mood
remaining stable and adopting better habits, according to the latest Healthy Minds Monthly adminis-
tered by APA and Morning Consult. Some people have adopted bad habits however, with 1 in 5 respond-
ents reporting an increase in smoking or drinking. You can read more about America's changing habits
as pandemic restrictions are lifted here, and read the results in Spanish here.

Key Dates and Observances
APA Communications staff maintains a calendar of key dates, observances and events at APA and in the
world of mental health in general. The calendar is kept up to date a few months in advance. You can
view the calendar and keep track of important mental health dates and observances here.

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PSYCHIATRIC SOCIETY Page 23 March/April 2022