APA, NASW, & APsaA Comment on United States Human Rights Concerns

The American Psychological Association (APA) recently commented on events that have been publicized in the United States media:


APA Opposes Proposed Policies That Make It Easier to Deport Immigrants and Separate Families
Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/advocacy/immigration/index.aspx

"Recent executive orders and proposed Trump Administration policies on border enforcement and interior enforcement are likely to compound the stress and trauma already experienced by populations at risk for discrimination, in addition to increasing stigma. Additionally, the directives call for an expansion of detention centers.

Families in detention centers fear deportation and separation and with that come associated harms to mental health. Immigrants who are detained are more vulnerable to psychological stress than their non-detained counterparts, with increasing risk of depression and other mental health symptoms the longer they are detained."

APA Disappointed and Concerned About Supreme Court Cakeshop Ruling
Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/06/cakeshop-ruling.aspx

“The American Psychological Association is disappointed in the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. Although the court affirmed that gay individuals and couples cannot be treated as social outcasts and recognized the importance of respecting others’ religious beliefs, those beliefs should not be used as a basis to discriminate against and stigmatize members of the LGBTQ community. 

The APA has a longstanding commitment to countering discrimination against any group, since the discipline of psychology is dedicated to promoting well-being and safeguarding against threats to that well-being...Public policies contribute to social environments, worsening or alleviating the stigma of being a sexual or gender minority. APA advocates for a supportive climate characterized by policies granting equal rights and prohibiting discrimination, which reduce stigma and stress, thereby serving a protective role for mental and physical health.”

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) also commented on harm perpetrated by U.S. immigration policy:


NASW says plan to separate undocumented immigrant children from their parents is malicious and unconscionable
Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/news/news-releases/id/1654/nasw-says-plan-to-separate-undocumented-immigrant-children-from-their-parents-is-malicious-and-unconscionable

"NASW unambiguously rejects the administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy. It is reprehensible that government officials at the highest levels believe that separating parents from their children is acceptable public policy."

APsaA Calls Policy to Separate Immigrant Children Cruel, Inhumane and Harmful
Retrieved from http://www.apsa.org/content/apsaa-calls-policy-separate-immigrant-children-cruel-inhumane-and-harmful

"Based on a large body of research and literature, this policy is not only cruel and inhumane (and contrary to our values), but it is also harmful for the health and mental well-being of children and their development as well as for their parents. Forced separations, even briefly, can cause long-lasting trauma and lead to serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Taking children away from their caregivers will also interfere later with learning, social relationships, and socioeconomic status."