Committee on Social Responsibility
Mission Statement

This mission of the Ohio Psychological Association Committee on Social Responsibility (CoSR) is to promote and coordinate the involvement of psychologists in programs and projects in the community, including advancing a social justice agenda by applying the science and practice of psychology to human welfare, as well as advocating for the fair treatment of Ohio residents through education, training and public policy.


Goals for the 2010-11 Membership Year

1. Maintain a calendar and distribute information to OPA members about opportunities to participate in community programs, projects and activities that relate to mental health issues and diagnoses.
a) Suicide Prevention Walks

b) Eating Disorder Awareness Week: Feb 20-26 “It’s Time to Talk About It”
c) Mental Health Month: May 2011
d) "Did You Know" articles in each OPA Notes e-newsletter

2. Plan for unique community programs that can be implemented under the auspices of the OPA, involving psychologists and others.
a) USPS Health Fair, September 22-23, 2010
b) Home Rescue Fair, November 6, 2010, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
c) Legislative Health Fair, May 2011
d) VA Health Fair, May 2011

e) ODOT Health Fair, August 2011

f) Home Within Project
g) YMCA Programs
h) Library Programs
i) High school psychology class speaker requests

3. Inform and educate the OPA Board and member psychologists about relevant social justice issues that affect Ohio residents in collaboration with the Diversity Committee, LGBT Subcommittee and other parts of the OPA structure.
a) "Did You Know" articles in the OPA Notes e-newsletter
b) Program for OPA Convention scheduled for Friday, Nov. 12 from 7:50-8:50 a.m.
c) Foodbank Drive (May-June 2011)
d) Social networking
    i) OPA Facebook Page

    ii) OPA on Twitter
   iii) COSR Blog

4. Work with the OPA Advocacy Committee to support the development of public policy that promotes equitable mental health treatment and other applications of psychological principles for societal concerns.
a)  Legislative Health Fair in conjunction with OPA Legislative Day (May 2011)
b)  PEC and other committee members at State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. (March 2011)

5. Represent psychology in public forums and with other mental health organizations and consumers
a) Home Rescue Fair, November 6, 2010
b) Legislative Health Fair, May 2011
c) VA Health Fair, May 2011
d) ODOT Health Fair, August 2011
e) USPS Health Fair, September 2010

6. Provide resources about mental health issues to the public via the Public Education Campaign and the Public Section of the OPA website, with the purpose of informing the public about psycholog, and destigmatizing mental illness and use of mental health services.
a) Social networking  

   i) OPA Facebook Page

  ii) OPA on Twitter
 iii) COSR Blog

b) Media Award
c) Media training expert to present for non-CE at Convention (Friday, November 12, 2-5 p.m.)
d) YMCA Programs
e) Library Programs
f) High school psychology class speaker requests
g) Legislative Health Fair
h) VA Health Fair
i) Convention Program
j) Support group resources/self-help section of OPA website

7. Through the Disaster Response Network (DRN), develop a corps of trained psychologists with state and regional leadership that is linked to APA’s DRN program and is able to respond to a variety of disasters.

8. Work together with OPA as a whole to recognize psychologists who have contributed their expertise and service significantly to the cause of public interest.
a) "For the Greater Good" Articles
b) Media Award

 


Examples of CoSR Activities

“Out of the Darkness” Suicide Prevention Walk

Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Mental Health Month

“Greater Good” Article Series

“Did You Know” e-newsletter and PIC blog series

Media 101 Toolkit (collaboration with the Professional Practice Committee)

Sending letters to the editor

Self-Help resources

Statewide Support Group Listing



Resources for Public Presentations:

Coping with Financial Stress (PowerPoint to use for presentations)
Materials for Presenting a Stress Workshop

Materials for Presenting a Childhood Obesity Workshop

Possible Handouts for Presentations:
Which Traits Predict Job Performance?
Stress in the Workplace
Managing Your Stress in Difficult Economic Times



We can use your help:

Please submit your recommendations for reliable, user-friendly self-help resources in your topic(s) of expertise to Dr. Kathleen Ashton to be reviewed by the Committee for Social Responsibility for addition to the Self-Help Resource list. Please include the full reference for books and include a sentence or two about why you recommend the particular resource. Thank you!


If you are interested in learning more about the Public Interest Committee and might like to serve as a member, please contact the Committee Chair or the OPA Central Office.



OPA Social Media- Check out the latest!

 



Committee Members:

Nathan Tomcik, Ph.D., Chair
Kathleen Ashton, Ph.D.
Lori Ann Ashbaugh, M.A.
Mary Miller Lewis, Ph.D.

Suzanne Ritter, Ph.D.

Amy Sailing

Todd Seibert, M.A.

Jen Segula

Craig Travis, Ph.D.




Ohio Psychological Association
395 E. Broad St. #310
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 224-0034 or (800) 783-1983
Fax: (614) 224-2059
OPA MCE
Phone: (614) 224-9620 or (888) 672-6231
Fax: (614) 224-6702