As a result of the action paper proposed by MPS Assembly Representatives Drs. Thomas Allen and Bruce Hershfield, the APA journal Psychiatric Services is now available as a member benefit. Unlike the American Journal of Psychiatry, which is sent free of charge to all APA members, Psychiatric Services has never been a benefit of APA membership. Currently, U.S. members pay $51 a year for a subscription.

Over the next six to eight months, the APA circulation department will systematically target the entire APA membership by mailing them sample issues of Psychiatric Services over a three-month period. Along with the issues, members will receive a pre-addressed, postage-paid card. Those who wish to continue to receive the monthly journal can fill out the card and drop it in the mail. The free subscription will begin four to six weeks later.

New and renewing members will also be targeted with three issues of the journal and an invitation to sign up for a free subscription.

Because U.S. Postal Service regulations require APA to obtain signatures of members who wish to receive the free subscription, orders cannot be fulfilled at the click of a mouse or even via telephone or e-mail.

For members who wish to begin their free subscription to Psychiatric Services before they receive their first sample issue and postcard in the mail, a downloadable form can be accessed at www.psych.org/ps. Print it out, complete it, sign it, and fax the form to 202-789-2648. The form can also be mailed to Psychiatric Services, Circulation Department, American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., 1400 K Street, N.W., 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20005.

Another way to request a free subscription is to call APA toll-free at 888-357-7924. Choose the FastFax option and request document number 2315—the Member-Requested Psychiatric Services Subscription form.

APA members who are currently paying for their subscription should call the circulation department at 800-368-5777 or 202-682-6240.