Welcome to September
As we welcome the month of September, many of us find ourselves entering a season of transition. Summer begins to give way to fall, students return to classrooms, academic programs begin a new year, and families and communities adjust to changing schedules and responsibilities. Transitions can bring excitement and renewed purpose, but they can also bring stress, uncertainty, and increased demands on our time and energy.
If you are a new student, please check out our Student Section to find support!
September is also National Recovery Month, an opportunity to recognize individuals and families who are navigating recovery from mental health and substance-use challenges. Recovery is not a single pathway, nor does it look the same for everyone. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes September as a time to promote evidence-based treatment and recovery practices while recognizing the important role of communities and support systems.
September is also Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with World Suicide Prevention Day observed on September 10. This month provides an opportunity to remember that suicide prevention is not solely the responsibility of mental health professionals. Prevention can begin with connection: checking in with a relative, noticing when someone is struggling, creating environments where people can speak openly, and making sure people know where to find support.
Holding Mental Health with Compassion
If you or someone you love is experiencing emotional distress, crisis, or thoughts of self-harm, support is available:
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United States: Call or text 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)
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Canada: Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (evenings)
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StrongHearts Native Helpline (U.S.): 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) — confidential, culturally-grounded support for Native and Indigenous peoples affected by violence
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If you are in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services
If you are outside these regions, we encourage reaching out to local Indigenous organizations, health centers, or community leaders for culturally relevant support.
Psychology, Insurance, and Policy Updates for 2025–2026
Updates: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY2025 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule on July 10, 2024. Find more info: https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/cms-federal-rule
Medicare changes in 2025. The final rule on the 2025 Medicare physician fee schedule brings some good news for psychologists and aims to increase access to behavioral health services. https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/2025-medicare-changes
Extensions of Telehealth access options. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/telehealth-policy-updates.
But how are the Reservations embracing digital sovereignty?
Digital mental health treatment: CMS expanded payment policies for digital mental health treatment devices under codes G0552, G0553, and G0554 for CY 2026.
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Final Rules (“Final Rules”) Are Released: Plans and Issuers Must Prepare for January 1, 2025 Effective Date (US). Find more info: https://www.triagehealthlawblog.com/hhs/mental-health-parity-and-addiction-equity-act-final-rules-final-rules-are-released-plans-and-issuers-must-prepare-for-january-1-2025-effective-date-us/ .Mental Health Parity: The 2024 Mental Health Parity final rule had staggered applicability dates beginning in 2025 and 2026, but federal agencies later announced a pause in enforcement of certain new provisions while they reconsider the rule.
SEPTEMBER RELATIVES' HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. Tanya Erazo was elected to APA's Committee for Global Psychology (CGP, for the 2026-2028 term)
This is Dr. Erazo’s first APA governance position and she is excited to make meaningful change and bring "good trouble.” Dr. Erazo’s work has been deeply rooted in applying psychological principles to social justice, human rights, global mental health, and peacebuilding. She welcomes the opportunity to contribute to APA’s strategic plan and to work alongside esteemed colleagues to further psychology’s role in advancing psychology’s impact from a global perspective! Congrats Dr. Erazo!
(News from Smoke Signals, Spring 2026)
Did you know that 2027 will mark the 40th anniversary of our annual SIP convention?
The Society of Indian Psychologists is excited to extend the invitation to save the date for the upcoming 40th anniversary of our annual convention in Utah State.
Save the dates June 25 -29, 2027 and join us in person to celebrate 40 years of growth and community!
Congratulations Dr. Olson for establishing Juniper & Pine Consulting, LLC
This is an Indigenous and woman-owned business that partners Tribal Nations to strengthen programs, organizations, and leadership through culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and healing-centered approaches that create sustainable change.
Kudos to you Dr. Olson for putting in the hard work to get this going!
(News from Smoke Signals, Spring 2026)
Dr. Mark Stand Eagle Baez and Dr. C. Allison Baez recently published a book chapter
The book chapter and the several articles that they have contributed with, discuss Indigenizing methodologies through the framework of the Sweetgrass Method for Mental Health Services for Indigenous populations.
Find it as:
Baez, M. S. E., Baez, C. A., & Velez, N. (2026). Clinical Wisdom and Cultural Foundations: Implementing the Sweetgrass Method in Indigenous Psychiatry. International Journal of Psychiatry Research (ISSN 2641‑4317).
SIP RETREAT & CONVENTION 2027
We are celebrating the 40th year anniversary of SIP!!!
Come celebrate with us June of 2027 in person at Utah State Universit in Logan!
For the Convention Official Page Click Here
Save the date and we hope to see you there!
Executive Committee Statement on ICE Enforcement and the Well-Being of Indigenous Communities
The Society of Indian Psychologists’ Executive Committee offers this collective statement in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities affecting Indigenous communities. Grounded in Indigenous values, ancestral teachings, and ethical psychological practice, this commentary addresses the mental, cultural, and spiritual impacts of enforcement actions on Native peoples, emphasizing sovereignty, historical trauma, and the need for culturally responsive, healing-centered approaches.
THE YEAR 2026
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For allies, agencies, organizations, and groups looking to produce a Land
Acknowledgment, we would like to share and amplify existing resources developed by
the Native Governance Center. We would like to urge interested parties to review in its
entirety the Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Guide.
This guide takes you through some steps to developing a thoughtful, respectful, and well-
researched land acknowledgment.
Most importantly, we urge interested folks to take time to review the Beyond Land
Acknowledgement Guide.
This resource outlines some problems with land acknowledgements, including
asking Indigenous collaborators to develop the land acknowledgment, careless or
limited research to inform the statement, and a focus on verbiage and optics rather than
steps towards tangible allyship. This guide then walks readers through developing a
meaningful action plan for Indigenous allyship that moves beyond land
acknowledgment, including a self-assessment and action planning worksheet.
Updated March 27 2025 by Brian McNeill, Ph.D. (Nez Perce and Palouse)
SIP Attends the APA 2025 Convention in Denver!!
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