Head Space and Timing Podcast

Summary: Heather O’Beirne Kelly is a senior legislative and federal affairs officer in the Science Government Relations Office of the American Psychological Association, a post she has held since 1998. In this role, Dr. Kelly advocates for behavioral science on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies and directs APA’s Executive Branch Science Fellowship Program. Within her advocacy portfolio are the psychological research programs within the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Science Foundation. She also is the team leader for all of APA’s military and Veteran-related issues. Dr. Kelly sits on the Executive Committee of the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research Coalition; represents APA on the VA Office of Mental Health Services Stakeholders Group; has testified before Congress regarding funding for VA research and mental health services; and has coordinated numerous Capitol Hill briefings on topics of interest to the veteran population, including suicide prevention, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Kelly graduated from Smith College in 1987 and worked in non-profit development for clients including the Children’s Defense Fund, UNICEF and the March of Dimes before becoming director of corporate relations for Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in 1989. Dr. Kelly received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia in 1998, where she taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral clinical internship at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kelly’s research focused on adolescent social development, child sexual abuse and adolescent dating violence. As a therapist, she worked primarily with children and families. In This Particular Episode You Will Learn: Heather's background and the American Psychological Association's military focus Local and National view of Veteran Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness needed at all levels Partnership between mental health professionals and other veteran advocates Bridging the civilian-military divide in mental health The military family aspect of veteran mental health Response to the movie "Thank You For Your Service" and how the VA has changed since the events depicted in the movie Collaboration between VA providers and community providers Need to build a network of community support and education about veteran mental health Sleep as the gateway to veteran mental health  Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: APA Society for Military Psychology PsychArmor Veteran Mental Health Boot Camp Dr. Kelly on Twitter Dr. Kelly on LinkedIn Dr. Kelly's email

Show Notes

Are you looking for more ways to learn about military and veteran mental health and wellness? Check out Duane's books by going to www.veteranmentalhealth.com/books

Summary: 
Heather O’Beirne Kelly is a senior legislative and federal affairs officer in the Science Government Relations Office of the American Psychological Association, a post she has held since 1998. In this role, Dr. Kelly advocates for behavioral science on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies and directs APA’s Executive Branch Science Fellowship Program. Within her advocacy portfolio are the psychological research programs within the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Science Foundation. She also is the team leader for all of APA’s military and Veteran-related issues. Dr. Kelly sits on the Executive Committee of the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research Coalition; represents APA on the VA Office of Mental Health Services Stakeholders Group; has testified before Congress regarding funding for VA research and mental health services; and has coordinated numerous Capitol Hill briefings on topics of interest to the veteran population, including suicide prevention, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Kelly graduated from Smith College in 1987 and worked in non-profit development for clients including the Children’s Defense Fund, UNICEF and the March of Dimes before becoming director of corporate relations for Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in 1989.

Dr. Kelly received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia in 1998, where she taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral clinical internship at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kelly’s research focused on adolescent social development, child sexual abuse and adolescent dating violence. As a therapist, she worked primarily with children and families. In This Particular Episode You Will Learn: 

  • Heather's background and the American Psychological Association's military focus
  • Local and National view of Veteran Mental Health
  • Advocacy and Awareness needed at all levels
  • Partnership between mental health professionals and other veteran advocates
  • Bridging the civilian-military divide in mental health
  • The military family aspect of veteran mental health
  • Response to the movie "Thank You For Your Service" and how the VA has changed since the events depicted in the movie
  • Collaboration between VA providers and community providers
  • Need to build a network of community support and education about veteran mental health
  • Sleep as the gateway to veteran mental health Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 
APA Society for Military Psychology

PsychArmor

Veteran Mental Health Boot Camp

Dr. Kelly on Twitter

Dr. Kelly on LinkedIn

Dr. Kelly's email


Are you looking for more ways to learn about military and veteran mental health and wellness? Check out Duane's books by going to www.veteranmentalhealth.com/books
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What is Head Space and Timing Podcast?

The psychological impact of military service is well known but less understood. Every Tuesday and Thursday, join combat veteran and clinical mental health counselor Duane France as he interviews mental health professionals, veterans, and those who support them about mental health and wellness. If you want to understand more about service member and veteran mental health, then this podcast is for you.