Psychiatric News Welcomes New Editor in Chief

Adrian Preda, M.D., a professor of clinical psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, has been named editor in chief of Psychiatric News. Preda, who will officially start January 1, 2024, succeeds Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., who has served as editor in chief since 2012.

Preda attended the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania, and completed his residency at Yale University School of Medicine. He served as chief resident in psychiatry at Yale before taking on several roles with the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas, including medical director of mental health triage. He has been at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine since 2006 and has served in multiple positions at the institution, including director of residency training in psychiatry and vice chair of education in psychiatry and human behavior.

“Throughout my career, I have combined research, education, and clinical work, but I am now at the point at which I want to make an impact on the broader population, and this position with Psychiatric News will provide that opportunity,” Preda said in an interview.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Preda to the Psychiatric News team,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., in a news release. “In doing so, he will lead the primary and most trusted source of information covering developments in the field of psychiatry that impact clinical care and professional practice.”

An avid reader of Psychiatric News, Preda said he hopes to help the publication broaden its audience. “Psychiatric News can be a resource not just for psychiatrists, but for others who are interested in all aspects of mental health and well-being,” he said.

Borenstein will continue in his roles as president and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and host of the PBS series “Healthy Minds.”

---

Don't miss out! To learn about newly posted articles in Psychiatric News, please sign up here.

Follow Psychiatric News on Twitter!

APA Reaches Out in Wake of Robin Williams' Death

Every day in the United States an average of 108 people die by suicide, a statistic brought into tragic prominence earlier this week as the nation focused on the death of comedian and actor Robin Williams. Williams had publicly acknowledged his struggles with substance abuse and depression.

The tragedy provided an opportunity to educate the public about mental illness, risks of suicide, and the importance of reaching out for help and seeking treatment. Many news outlets ran stories about mental illness and about its presumed presence in creative people.

“It’s very important that we stop seeing these illnesses as false and stop blaming patients and see them for what they are—which are medical conditions, genetic conditions, brain disorders that require appropriate diagnosis, treatment, care, and support," said APA President Paul Summergrad, M.D., in an interview on NBC Nightly News.

Mental illnesses can be just as fatal as big killers like cancer or heart disease, said Thomas Insel, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health, in his blog. “We must continue to invest in research to develop new and more effective treatments for people with depression and other mental illnesses. The goal must be a future in which no lives are lost as a result of suicide.”

“It is natural under such circumstances to experience feelings of deep sadness and loss,” noted APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “APA continues to provide expert interviews and public education resources on bipolar disorder, depression, suicidality, substance and alcohol use, and their treatments.”

For more information on suicide, see APA's website.

Here are some of the media vehicles in which APA members shared their expertise with the public.

CBS: Robin Williams' death highlights challenge of treating severe depression

USA Today: Robin Williams: A link between genius, mental illness?

USNews.com: Robin Williams' Death Shows Need to Raise Depression Awareness

NBC: Robin Williams' Death Sheds Light on Depression in America

(image: s_bukley/shutterstock)

Borenstein Named Editor-in-Chief of Psychiatric News

Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., chief executive officer and medical director of Holliswood Hospital in Holliswood, N.Y. and chair of the APA Council on Communications, has been named editor in chief of Psychiatric News, APA's official newspaper.

Borenstein is the host of the television series "Healthy Minds,” which airs on public television stations across the country. He is chair of the Mental Health Services Council of New York State and serves on the Commissioner’s Medical Advisory Panel of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and is chair of the Section on Psychiatry at the New York Academy of Medicine.

“I am passionate about the mission of Psychiatric News and am honored to serve as editor in chief,” said Borenstein said. “Psychiatric News is the most trusted source of information for APA members, other health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry that impact clinical care and professional practice…I hope to receive feedback from our members so that Psychiatric News can continue to be the first and last word in psychiatry.

To read the latest edition of Psychiatric News, click here.

(Image: Aaron Levin)