February 5, 1999

There is still time for psychiatrists, and others with an interest in active community outreach, to invite public school, private school, and home-schooled 9th and 10th grade students in their communities to participate in the 1998-99 American Psychiatric Association Auxiliary's (APAA) National High School Essay Contest.

The theme of the contest is "When Not to Keep a Secret." Developed under the guidance of APA, this contest is the first nationally coordinated community outreach program produced by the APAA.

The deadline for entries is March 12. The winner will be announced April 20.

Now under way throughout the country, the contest has been APA reviewed and recognized, as well as endorsed and supported by APA President Rodrigo Muņoz, M.D.

Often in teen suicides, and virtually all playground homicides in the last two years, students listened to the perpetrators' threats and told no one. These essays will tell why, and why there is hope for change. Young people sense danger, but often feel helpless. In a nonthreatening environment, this contest creates an awareness that violent talk can lead to violent action, as it teaches that sometimes it's OK to not keep a secret, thereby breaking a deadly chain of silence.

For regional and state-level contests, child and adolescent psychiatrists and pediatricians have been invited to serve as judges. They will be joined by community members such as medical journalists, school district health professionals, juvenile court judges, district attorneys, and public defenders from the juvenile justice system, people who have close contact with children and violence.

Serving as one of the national "Esteemed Judges" will be Chief Wilma Mankiller of the Cherokee Nation.

The contest is a tool to stop violence and encourage communication between students and teachers, and students and parents. High school chat sessions are recommended as the vehicle to educate the educators, students, and parents. Through that process, students will learn that violent talk may lead to violent behavior.

APA and AACAP Fact Sheets are available for reference. These fact sheets are written for the public and are useful for chat sessions and as information sources for school administrators. APA's fact sheets are available by calling the APA Answer Center at (202) 682-6000. They can also be downloaded from APA's Web site and clicking on "Public Information" and then "Let's Talk Facts Pamphlet Series." Relevant pamphlets include "Childhood Disorders," "Teen Suicide," and "Violence and Mental Illness." Fact sheets available from AACAP are "Children and Firearms," "Children and TV Violence," "Children's Major Psychiatric Disorders," "Know When to Seek Help for Your Child," "Normal Adolescent Behavior," "Understanding Violent Behavior in Children and Adolescents," and "Children's Threats: When Are They Serious?" They can be obtained by calling AACAP at (202) 966-7300; Web site: www.aacap.org.

The national winner will receive roundtrip tickets for the winner and his or her parents to Washington, D.C., in May and an all-expense paid three-night stay, a computer system, and White House Tour. The winner also will be honored by an award ceremony at an APA presidential function. The winning essay will be submitted to metropolitan newspapers and published in Psychiatric News.

Further information on how APA members can participate in the contest is available by calling Rosalind Hayes at (626) 432-6748 or Gail Fuller at (605) 526-4390.