News archives

2009

13 Nov 2009: 2009 Annual Australian Psychological Society Oration

Professor Barry McGaw

APS members gathered to hear Professor Barry McGaw present the 2009 Annual Australian Psychological Society Oration at the Sofitel on Wednesday 11 November 2009 in Melbourne.

Professor McGaw presented evidence on the current standing of Australian education in international comparisons and identifed its strengths and weaknesses. He described the new curricula that are being developed and indicated the contribution made by psychological research. He also outlined the case for psychology to be included as a subject across the National Curriculum.

Professor Barry McGaw is a Fellow and former President of the Australian Psychological Society. He is half-time Professorial Fellow in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne where he is Executive Director of the Cisco-Intel-Microsoft Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills project.

Large file warning: To download, right-click on the link and select 'Save Target As...' 

27 Aug 2009: National Roundtable on Research on Racism towards Indigenous Australians and the Boatshed Declaration

On June 1^st and 2^nd 2009, over 40 researchers from across Australia met at the University of Western Australia Boatshed in Perth for a Roundtable discussion focused on research concerning racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The APS, together with the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA), co-hosted the Roundtable alongside several other key organisations - the Human Rights Commission, the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, WA, the School of Indigenous Studies UWA, and the University of Notre Dame Australia. The Roundtable was initiated by AIPA Chair and APS Fellow Dr Pat Dudgeon, who saw it as one way to renew the momentum for combating racism that was generated a decade ago by the APS Position Paper Racism and prejudice: Psychological perspectives (1997).

Among the immediate outcomes of the two-day gathering were a group submission to the National Human Rights Consultation, a ‘Boatshed Declaration' and letters to government ministers. The Boatshed Declaration is reproduced below:

We, the undersigned make this Declaration to reassert the rights of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be: Acknowledged as the First Nations peoples of Australia; and Recognised as the legitimate people to take real responsibility for their education, health and wellbeing, with the respectful support of Australian governments. We believe that for Australia to fulfil its considerable potential for future generations, it must acknowledge the terrible injustice done to its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - an injustice that continues to disadvantage all our futures. We believe that this recognition will be the basis for re-strengthening the Australian national identity to the benefit of all and future Australians. We believe that a strong and confident national identity is one that begins with its First Nations peoples, their knowledge, heritage, and spiritual connection to the land and seas. We propose four areas for action: Constitutional - that there be a preamble to the Constitution that recognises the rights of First Nations peoples, followed immediately by the establishment of a treaty that details a formal agreement between the Australian Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and a framework for national action. Policy - that policies that affect and impact on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be based on their full involvement and engagement to ensure appropriate agendas and appropriate levels of resourcing are applied. Practice - that effective and genuine partnerships with governments and capacity building agendas be recognised as essential pathways to improving the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' education, health and wellbeing. Standards - that all actions must be based on, and be an expression of, the articles in the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly Article 3 (the Right to Self Determination) and Article 42 (calling on the states and agencies of the United Nations to implement the Declaration). The Roundtable, in reviewing research data and evidence, identified some key factors and issues that act as barriers to the progress of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards improved futures. Racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples exists in various forms and in all systems in Australia today. Racism has a destructive impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' education, health and wellbeing, well beyond its immediate impact. Racism works strongly against all agendas which aim to close the gaps in health and other outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. We call upon the Prime Minister and the First Ministers of Australia to initiate a new national plan of action beginning with: Constitutional protection against racial discrimination; The reconsideration of the methods of the Northern Territory intervention to better reflect the aspirations for, and of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while maintaining any gains that have been made; and The formal recognition of the capacity and the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to self-determine their futures. Our key principle for a plan of action is simple: We believe that the future happiness and wellbeing of all Australians and their future generations will be enhanced by valuing and taking pride in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - the oldest living cultures of humanity.

University of Western Australia Boatshed, Perth 1st and 2nd June 2009 Click here to view signatories  To download a copy of The Boatshed Declaration, please click here  (833kb)

5 Mar 2009: Fed Square Skype conversation: Victorian Bushfires

The APS was invited to participate in a Skype conversation as part of a public event about the Victorian Bushfires called ‘The City Cares' hosted by Federation Square on Friday 27 February 2009.

The Skype conversation focused on talking to the public about what to expect, from a psychological perspective, following the recent Victorian bushfires.  

The discussion was faciliated by Dr Susie Burke, Senor Researcher from the APS Communications and Public Interest team and included the following speakers:

16 Feb 2009: 2009 Branch Chairs Forum

The elected Chairs of the 40 APS Branches from every State and Territory in Australia came together for the annual APS Branch Chairs Forum from 9-10 February at the Medina Grand in Melbourne. This important two-day event brought all the Chairs together with the APS Board of Directors and National Office managers to discuss pertinent issues facing the Society.

The Branch Chairs dinner was held on at Bokchoy Tang in Federation Square where the Chairs were treated to a banquet and a game of charades.  

15 Jan 2009: APS purchases Greenfleet future offset

7 Jan 2009: APS Letter to Deputy Prime Minister: Violence in the Middle East

The APS has expressed its concerns for urgent action on the current crisis in Gaza in a letter from the Acting President of the Australian Psychological Society to the Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard MP.

2008

19 November 2008

Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN): Call for Expressions of Interest

The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) has been funded by the Australian Government to support interdisciplinary mental health collaboration in the primary care sector with the aim of improving consumer outcomes by fostering a collaborative clinical approach to the provision of mental health care.

MHPN is seeking expressions of interest from primary mental health care clinicians interested in participating in, or facilitating a small local network. The role of facilitators is to guide the collaboration process within the local clinical network using relevant clinical case studies provided by MHPN. MHPN offers private practice psychologists remuneration for participating in or facilitating an initial workshop. These workshops are an APS endorsed professional development activity (two points) and will also attract two specialist points for Health College members.

To express your interest, or for more information about MHPN, please click here  (197kb)

13 November 2008  

The Inaugural Australian Psychological Society Oration  

The Inaugural Australian Psychological Society Oration was delivered by Hugh Mackay FAPS. Hugh is a psychologist, social researcher and novelist who has made a lifelong study of the attitudes and behaviour of Australians. He is the author of eleven books, including five bestsellers in the field of social analysis and four novels.The second edition of his latest book, Advance Australia ... Where? was published in September 2008, and his fifth novel will be out in May 2009.

30 September 2008

Farewell from Amanda Gordon   

12 September 2008

President's update

In this broadcast, APS President Amanda Gordon urges members to vote in the 2008 Board of Directors election. Those members eligible to vote may do so online at www.psychology.org.au/about/board_elections_2008/ or by postal ballot. Voting closes at 10.00am on Wednesday, 24 September 2008.

22 August 2008

Call for member contributions - InPsych December 2008 cover feature  

Enhancing the functioning of aged people in care

The December 2008 InPsych cover feature will focus on enhancing functioning in aged care. The APS invites members with expertise in this area to submit a 200-word abstract of a proposed article on this theme for consideration by the InPsych editorial committee. The committee will then select abstracts and invite those authors to submit a full article for publication.

Articles proposed by members should present a practical application of the cover feature, with an ‘on-the-ground' focus relevant to the theme. Articles will be selected to complement the lead article, which will provide a more theoretical state-of-the-art overview of the area. In addition, selected abstracts will be chosen to appear as articles in the cover feature based on suitability (e.g., if a number of abstracts are received proposing similar articles, only one will be chosen). The word length of final articles will be confirmed upon selection. However, no selected article will have a word length in excess of 1,600 words in length (including references, in APA format).

All articles must be written specifically for APS members, but in a non-technical and easy-toread style. A 'conversational' tone of writing is appropriate for InPsych (similar to what you would expect to read in a weekend broadsheet newspaper magazine supplement but, of course, written specifically for psychologists). The deadline for all abstracts is Friday, 12 September 2008. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified soon after the abstract deadline and final articles will be required by Friday, 24 October 2008.

13 August 2008

Redress WA

On 17 December 2007, the State Government announced a $114 million redress scheme, to be known as Redress WA, for those who as children were abused while in State care in Western Australia. The State Government deeply regrets that abuse has taken place. Key priorities of Redress WA will include an apology and acknowledgement to those who in the past have suffered when the State did not provide a proper level of care.

Many people continue to suffer as a result of the abuse they experienced as children in State care. To assist them, including with the distress associated with the process of making an application under Redress WA, a range of support services including personal support, financial counselling and independent legal advice will be made available, as well as funding of non-government consumer advocacy and self-help groups.

Eligible individuals will be able to apply for an ex gratia redress payment. Applicants who are eligible will receive an ex gratia payment of up to $10 000 if they show they experienced abuse while in State care, or up to a maximum of $80 000 where there is medical or psychological evidence of loss or injury as a result of that abuse.

Applications to Redress WA open for 12 months from 1 May 2008 and must be lodged by 30 April 2009.

For further information, contact the Redress WA information line on 1800 617 233.  

31 July

Public forum: Suspicions of the Apocalypse – global threats, sustainability and human wellbeing  

APS members are invited to attend a public forum featuring Richard Eckersley speaking on the topic “Suspicions of the Apocalypse: global threats, sustainability and human wellbeing.” The forum will be held at 1.00 pm on 12 August 2008 at the McCaughey Centre, University of Melbourne. This event is co-hosted by the APS, the McCaughey Centre, VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, the University of Melbourne, and other university and climate change centres.

• Download flyer  (65kb)

17 July 2008

Applying to provide ASD/PDD early intervention program services  

Psychologists involved in the provision of multidisciplinary interventions for children and families of children with ASD/PDD can now apply to be on a panel of early intervention service providers. This is the second arm of the new Helping Children with Autism package and is separate from the new ASD/PDD Medicare items. For more information, please click here, and see your metropolitan and major regional newspapers on July 19 and 26.   

4 July 2008

President's update 

In this broadcast, APS President, Amanda Gordon, urges members to consider nominating for two General Director positions on the 15th APS Board of Directors. The term of office for each of these General Director positions will be three years commencing from the 2008 AGM until the 2011 AGM.

Amanda also reminds members to register for the 2008 APS Conference in Hobart. (More information is available at http://www.apsconference.com.au/.)

26 June 2008

APS and NZPsS sign Memorandum of Understanding 

In this broadcast, the Australian Psychological Society and the New Zealand Psychological Society sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU affirms that the APS and NZPsS share the objective of advancing the discipline and profession of psychology in the public interest. The MoU also affirms the working relationship between the two Societies and commits to regular communication to discuss issues of common concern.

29 May 2008

Reconciliation Week Statement

The APS would like to acknowledge that this is Reconciliation Week, an important anniversary for all Australians. Reconciliation Week celebrates the 1967 referendum allowing Indigenous Australians the vote, and reminds us that there is still a long way to go to acknowledge and take action on the large gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in health, finance, employment and other determinants of wellbeing.

The Australian Psychological Society acknowledges the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians of this country. The APS recognises that the colonisation/settlement of Australia has involved the loss of land, children and kin, languages and traditional cultural practices of Indigenous people, and that colonisation led to the dispossession, alienation and impoverishment of Australia's Indigenous peoples.

The Australian Psychological Society recognises the negative consequences that colonisation has had upon Indigenous health, mental health and well being, and that Australian Indigenous peoples continue to face social and economic disadvantage accentuated by ongoing prejudice and racism.

The Australian Psychological Society is committed to a process of reconciliation between Australian society and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on a respect and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, history and achievements. 

The APS meanwhile is endeavouring to contribute to national reconciliation in a number of ways:

• The APS is managing an Australian government-funded project aimed at identifying services which are using innovative approaches to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to raise mental health awareness and deliver positive messages about help-seeking.
• Indigenous-specific peak professional bodies are an effective way to represent the needs of Indigenous health professionals, and to provide expert advice on education, policy and other matters. The APS is supporting the establishment of AIPA, which will work to set and achieve benchmarks for Indigenous participation in the profession.
• The APS is represented on an expert reference group formed to provide clinical and cultural advice to the Australian Government's Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH). The group will influence the Indigenous-specific components of the COAG Mental Health Action Plan 2006-2011.
• The APS is a partner with the University of South Australia and Victoria University in a two-year Carrick Institute-funded project Disseminating strategies for incorporating Australian Indigenous content into psychology undergraduate programs throughout Australia. The group is organising its second conference Psychology and Indigenous Australians in Adelaide, July 14-15. For more information, see www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/pia.
• As a result of the APS Bendi Lango initiative, the following opportunities are being offered for Indigenous psychology students in 2009:
  • 1. Study bursaries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders undertaking a postgraduate psychology degree
  • 2. Financial Assistance for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander psychology students in necessitous financial circumstances.
• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology Interest Group provides ways for Indigenous and non-Indigenous APS members to come together to promote best psychological practice for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Interest Group will have a close relationship with the new association of Indigenous psychologists.

22 May 2008

President's update

In this broadcast, Amanda Gordon discusses a new APS initiative to send certificates to members acknowledging cumulative membership of the APS for 10, 20 and 30 years. Amanda also speaks about a new membership drive in which the Society will give a $50 APS PD voucher to an Associate Member or Member of the Society for each person they recruit as an Associate Member or Member.

21 May 2008

Review into child abuse for former wards of the State of Tasmania  

If you consider you were abused while in State Care and you were over the age of 18 in July 2003, now is the time to come forward. The Tasmanian Government has reopened the scheme for claims from people who were abused while in State Care. Children abused while in State Care in Tasmania are entitled to compassion, justice, and may also be eligible for an ex gratia payment of up to $60,000. If you, or someone you know, suffered abuse while in State Care and a claim has not been made before, please obtain an information package by calling 1300 654 583 or alternatively visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au. Applications close 30 June 2008.

• Download Review into Child Abuse poster  (97kb)

3 April 2008

Australian Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Download APS and BPS Memorandum of Understanding  (1.4mb)

31 March 2008

President's update 

APS President, Amanda Gordon, speaks about the meeting of Indigenous psychologists at APS National Office to discuss how the APS can support Indigenous psychologists and help to meet the mental health needs of all Australians.

At the last meeting of Branch Chairs, it was suggested that it is time to do a review of the structure of APS Branches, Colleges and Interest Groups. At the recent Board meeting it was determined to accept this recommendation and to establish a Governance Review Working Group to look at how the APS is structured.

Amanda also discusses how Fellows and Honorary Fellows can become more involved in the society. Current fellows are happy to support people who are nominating either themselves or others in their fellow applications.   

Comments and feedback on the issues raised in this broadcast are welcomed and should be directed to a.gordon@psychology.org.au  

27 March 2008

National Office hosts formal gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists 

Friday 28 March 2008 will be a historic day for Australian psychology. The APS will host the first ever formal gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists. There are approximately 40 registered psychologists nationally who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Of these, thirteen will be in Melbourne this week as part of a Commonwealth-funded project to identify innovative models and resources that increase mental health awareness and help-seeking in urban, regional and remote Indigenous communities. There was a meeting of 30 Indigenous psychology students at the APS Conference Wollongong in 1994, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology Interest Group has continued to provide a focus for Indigenous issues within the APS, but this is the first meeting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists in their own right.

As part of a series of COAG initiatives in Indigenous mental health, professional bodies like the APS are being strongly encouraged to set some benchmarks for equitable workforce participation, and to implement a range of Indigenous-specific programs to attract, support and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates in the health sciences, including allied health. So when the thirteen psychologists come together on Friday from as far as Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Wollongong, Sydney and Warrnambool, they will be kick-starting a process to ensure that the psychology profession is more proportionally reflective of Indigenous people, who constitute 2.4% of the Australian population. If your arithmetic is up to the task, you will have quickly worked out that the APS as a Society of more than 15,000 should have 300 Indigenous members! We still have a long way to go.

Psychological knowledge and practice across all specialisations has much to offer to address the disadvantage experienced by our nation's first people. The APS Public Interest team is working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology Interest Group, and with representatives of other areas such as science, training and standards, professional development and professional practice to enhance psychologists' cultural competence and to promote Indigenous health, safety and wellbeing across urban, rural and remote communities.

28 February 2008 

Call for applications for participation in the first APS Strategic Leaders Programme 

This is an opportunity for APS members in mid-career (indicative, age 35-50) who have made a substantial contribution as leaders to the APS and/or to the discipline of psychology and/or to the wider community, and have the potential to develop further and extend themselves to lead into the next decade.

Participation in the programme will require significant commitment over a six month period, beginning in April 2008 with a residential weekend in Melbourne (12-13 April) preceded by some self-assessment material and reading.

During the course of the weekend, participants will form into syndicate groups and develop a project which they will lead collaboratively over the subsequent six months. Participants will present the results of their project at the APS National Conference in Hobart in late September 2008.

As part of the Leadership Programme, there will be a two day skills development workshop presented for APS members around Australia at a series of venues. Programme participants would be expected to attend the workshop which will attract PD points.

In addition, the programme will comprise a series of up to 10 web-based seminars, which will be available for professional development for all APS members.

It is believed that the combination of reading, self-assessment, two day workshop and web-based seminars will assist participants to develop and execute their projects in an effective manner and assist them in developing leadership skills that will enhance their ability to contribute to the Society, the discipline and the wider community.

Participants are sought from around Australia, including rural and remote psychologists, and from those who may be interested in working with the most disadvantaged in the community. Applicants will be considered on merit but selection will aim to ensure a diverse group. A&TSI members are particularly encouraged to apply.

Note: Participants will receive significant financial support for the programme, including travel and accommodation costs associated with attending the April residential weekend and the final day of the program at the APS National Conference in Hobart, but they will be expected to pay for the PD workshop and the web-based seminars. There is a fund available to support otherwise outstanding candidates who are unable to fund their own study, i.e. no one will be excluded through financial considerations.

Applications must be received by 10 March 2008.

For further information and to submit applications, please contact Christine Simpson at c.simpson@psychology.org.au or Ph: 03 8662 3300.

12 February 2008

President's update 

APS President, Amanda Gordon, announces the Presidential initiative for 2008 in this broadcast. The APS Strategic Leaders Program has been designed to create a better society by assisting APS members to develop better leadership skills. This program has been developed from the immense contribution psychologists have made to the community through supporting behavioural change and creating a better environment. The program will allow APS members to take this support to the next level.  

APS Units are encouraged to invite individual members to put themselves forward if they are interested. Participants should expect to be involved for a six-month period in a series of workshops and lectures, and be involved in a project that will be presented at the National Conference in Hobart. The call for nominations will appear on the website soon.

For more information, please contact a.gordon@psychology.org.au

25 January 2008

President's update 

In the following broadcast, APS President, Amanda Gordon, discusses the changes to APS governance over the past two years. Since 2006, directors are no longer assigned portfolios but are elected as general members of the board for a three-year term. In 2007, members voted for a president-elect for the first time – Bob Montgomery who will take on the role of president in late 2008. Amanda also provides an update on the Society’s organisational structure and speaks about the evolving relationship between APS directors and managers. She emphasises the growth in the Society to meet the mission statement, namely to enhance community wellbeing through the use of psychological association.

Comments and feedback on the issues raised in this broadcast are welcomed and should be directed to a.gordon@psychology.org.au  

, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

2007

22 November 2007

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 

The Australian Psychological Society is encouraging its members to support the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Sunday November 25, also known as White Ribbon Day. The day marks the beginning each year of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign.

“The APS is gravely concerned about the level of violence against women in the community. Many of our members find themselves picking up the pieces from family violence and sexual assault, while others are involved in advocacy and prevention projects. It is an issue that deserves special attention from government and the community at large,” says APS President Amanda Gordon.

One third of Australian women who have been partnered would have experienced some form of violence in their life time. One third of women would have experienced some form of sexual assault by the time they are eighteen.

APS President-elect Professor Bob Montgomery is inviting his fellow male psychologists to support White Ribbon Day. “I will be wearing a white ribbon on Sunday. What we need is a culture change that sees men standing against violence in all its forms. Just as it’s no longer cool to drink alcohol and drive, it’s no longer ok to behave like a bully in your own home. Do you really want your partner and children to be constantly fearful of what you’ll do next?”

For more information, see the White Ribbon Day website

31 October 2007

Mark your diaries! 43rd APS Annual Conference 2008 

The 43rd APS Annual Conference will be held:

25 October 2007

APS Declaration on Torture 

The APS Board of Directors passed the following resolution on 24 September 2007:

The Australian Psychological Society, as a member of the International Union of Psychological Science, fully endorses the United Nations Declaration and Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1997.

The Australian Psychological Society regards all forms of torture, as defined in Article 1 of the United Nations Declaration and Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1997, as breaches of the Society’s Code of Ethics (2003) General Principle III Propriety.

2 October 2007  

Submissions to the International Congress of Psychology 2008  

The International Congress of Psychology is the largest international conference in psychology and covers all areas of psychological science. The conference takes place only once every four years in a different country under the auspices of the International Union of Psychological Science (www.iupsys.org). From July 20 to 25 2008, more than 6.000 psychologists from over 70 countries will meet in Berlin, Germany, for ICP 2008.
 
Submission of Abstracts
Please submit your abstract for an oral presentation, a symposium, or a poster via the congress website at www.icp2008.org. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is October 31, 2007.
 
Invited Program
The Invited Program of ICP 2008 has already been finalised and contains Invited Addresses and Invited Symposia from more than 300 renowned international colleagues. The Invited Program can be obtained from the congress website.
 
Controversial Debates
One of the many highlights of ICP 2008 will be the Controversial Debates. Controversial Debates are a new presentation format that will be introduced in Berlin, and will stimulate discussion during the meeting. Controversial Debates will focus on topics that are both inherently important and interesting to all psychologists, and are intended to capture exciting recent developments in the field. The debates will take place once a day at a prominent time slot and will be chaired by some of the best psychological scientists in the world (for more information, please see www.icp2008.org). 
 
Final Announcement
The Final Announcement and Call for Abstracts for ICP 2008 can also be obtained as pdf files from the congress website. If you would like to receive printed copies of the announcement or ICP 2008 posters, please send a short message with your postal address.
 
If you have any questions about ICP 2008, please contact:

• Barbara Schauenburg (Secretary General)
  barbara.schauenburg@psychologie.hu-berlin.de
• Heike Wieters (Organising Team)
  heike.wieters@staff.hu-berlin.de
  

31 August 2007

Chronic Conditions Prevention and Self-Management Project  

The APS, in partnership with Flinders University, is currently involved in a Government-funded review of Chronic Conditions Prevention and Self-Management (CCSM) skills in the current workforce of health professions. The project is aimed at investigating the continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities of health professions to develop skills in CCSM client support.

As part of the project, allied health professionals are being invited to complete an online survey. The aims of the survey are to investigate chronic condition prevention and self-management in relation to:

• the professional’s perceived skills
• their use of their skills in their work with clients
• the current training opportunities for their profession
• the future training needs.

The online survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey will be available to complete online from Monday 3 September and can be accessed via the following link:

• http://flinders.andreaslustig.com/surveys/needsassessment/

If you have colleagues that do not have access to the electronic survey, please make them aware of the survey by printing it off for them. Likewise, if you do not wish to complete this survey online you can print it off and send the completed survey to: c/o PHC Survey, FHBHRU, PO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001.

We look forward to receiving your response. Please note that the final date for return of the survey is 3 October 2007.

The results will be available from the unit at the completion of the project. If you would like further details of the ethics guidelines for this project you may find them by following the link in the survey website.

Your time and involvement is greatly appreciated.

30 August 2007

Notice of APS Colleges Annual General Meetings 

The Annual General Meeting of the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists will be held on 22 September 2007 at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach (formerly Outrigger), Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba, QLD.

The following College Annual General Meetings will be held during the 42nd APS Annual Conference, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia.

• APS College of Forensic Psychologists
  Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 1 – 2pm
• APS College of Community Psychologists
  Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 1 – 2pm
• APS College of Educational & Developmental Psychologists
  Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 1 - 2pm
• APS College of Health Psychologists
  Thursday, 27 September 2007, 1 - 2pm
• APS College of Counselling Psychologists
  Thursday, 27 September 2007, 1 - 2pm
• APS College of Clinical Psychologists
  Friday, 28 September 2007, 1 - 2pm

The agenda for each AGM will be:

• Welcome
• Apologies
• Proxies
• Confirmation of the Minutes of the 2006 AGM
• Business Arising from the Minutes
• Reports from Office Bearers of the National Executive
• Reports from State Sections
• General Business
• Close

In addition to the above agenda, the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists, the College of Community Psychologists, the College of Counselling Psychologists, the APS College of Educational & Developmental Psychologists and the APS College of Forensic Psychologists will have the following item:

• Declaration of Elections for Office Bearers for 2007-2009 (National Executive)
    

24 August 2007

Call for editorial contributors: InPsych December 2007 cover feature 

The fallout of family breakdown

The December 2007 InPsych cover feature will focus on 'the fallout of family breakdown'. The APS invites all members with expertise in this area to submit a 200-word abstract of a proposed article on this theme for consideration by the InPsych editorial committee. The committee will then select abstracts and invite those authors to submit a full article for publication.

Articles proposed by members should have a practical, 'on-the-ground' focus OR provide current research relevant to the theme. Articles will be selected to complement the lead article, which will provide a state-of-the-art overview of the area. In addition, selected abstracts will be chosen to appear as articles in the cover feature based on suitability (e.g., if a number of abstracts are received proposing similar articles, only one can be chosen).

The word length of final articles will be confirmed upon selection. However, no selected article will have a word length in excess of 1,500 words in length (including references, in APA format). All articles must be written specifically for APS members, but in a non-technical and easy-to-read style. A 'conversational' tone of writing is appropriate for InPsych (similar to what you would expect to read in a weekend broadsheet newspaper magazine supplement but, of course, written specifically for psychologists).

The deadline for all abstracts is Wednesday, 12 September 2007. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified soon after the abstract deadline and final articles will be required by Friday, 26 October 2007.

24 August 2007 

Professionals Income Protection Plan  

APS members will be pleased to hear about the Professionals Income Protection Plan* which has been developed in alliance with ING Life, exclusively for our members.

The Professionals Income Protection Plan can pay up to 75% of your monthly income (up to $20,000 per month) if you are unable to work due to illness or injury for up to 2 years. On top of the income benefit, the Plan also includes a special rehabilitation benefit of up to $50,000, and a special care benefit – designed to help members with the cost of home care.

Where would you be without your income?
Considering that we spend more than half of our income on necessities such as food, transport, and housing it’s easy to appreciate that the loss of income due to illness or injury could be financially devastating.

Protect for your income – just as you would protect your home and car
This exclusive plan has been designed to be as easy as organising insurance for your home or car. In fact, current APS members who have been employed full-time for at least 12 months and are working at least 30 hours per week can get immediate cover on the phone, without a medical and without the need to complete a time consuming health questionnaire. The Plan also requires that you are aged between 21 and 55 years of age and a permanent resident of Australia.

Please note that this insurance is not for everyone as claims relating to pre-existing medical conditions occurring in the last 5 years will not be covered.
 
Plus your opportunity to be the lucky winner of a Renault Mégane
APS members considering this cover, or the Professionals Life and Living Benefit Plan, shouldn’t delay as there is an opportunity to be the lucky winner of a fabulous Renault Mégane Cabriolet Coupé Dynamique valued at over $50,000. Your entry will go into the draw as soon as ING receive your acceptance this important cover†, but acceptance must be received by the 26th October.

Go to www.ing.com.au/mail/aps.html to find out more or call 1800 658 679.

* The Professionals Income Protection Plan is issued by ING Life Limited (ABN 33 009 657 176, AFSL 238341) (ING). Any advice provided by ING in this letter or the accompanying material is of a general nature and is not based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation and needs. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to make sure the product is right for you and call ING if you have any questions.
† The competition is open to new approved policies only, not renewals. Terms and conditions of entry apply and are available at www.ing.com.au. The promoter is ING Australia Limited ABN 60 000 000 779. Licensed under NSW Permit No. TPL07/01758, ACT Permit No. TP07/00673, SA Licence No. T07/781, VIC Permit No. 07/677.

23 August 2007  

Survey of psychologists providing services under new MBS items

In response to questions regarding the new COAG Mental Health initiative and its uptake by the community, the Australian Psychological Society sought the input of its members who are delivering the new Medicare Benefit Schedule items. The APS received responses from 623 Clinical Psychologists to a range of questions. Additionally, two separate groups of Registered Psychologists (not Clinical Psychologists) were surveyed through email-based questions and an on-line survey, respectively, gaining 812 responses. These responses from the samples of Clinical Psychologists and Registered Psychologists are presented and explained in the following document. Members can access the full report at the link indicated below:

17 August 2007

Proposed APS Code of Ethics

Members will be asked to adopt the proposed revised APS Code of Ethics by way of vote at next month's 2007 Annual General Meeting at the APS Annual Conference in Brisbane.

The proposed Code has had several revisions incorporated in response to feedback from members and external bodies such as university Departments of Psychology and Psychologist Registration Boards. As a consequence, the proposed revised Code is a more ordered, coherent and robust document. A summary of the substantive changes from the 1997 Code of Ethics will be included in the AGM papers, and the proposed Code of Ethics will be available on the APS website.

Members of the APS responded in high numbers to the opportunity to give feedback about the draft revised Code of Ethics. The Society received more than 65 submissions, several of which were from Branches, Colleges and Interest Groups, meaning that even more members had offered their comments and improvements to the document. Comments ranged from brief general feedback to an almost line-by-line critique of the draft. The Code Review Committee wishes to express its deep appreciation for the way in which members engaged with the revision process. The Committee feels confident that it is not acting in isolation when compiling this significant document that greatly affects the field of psychology.

The feedback on the draft Code was predominantly positive, and, of the requests for amendments, most focused on specific subsections of the Code. The Committee accepted the bulk of suggestions, which at times prompted related changes elsewhere in the document.

The Society wishes to acknowledge the contribution of members, university Psychology Departments and Psychologist Registration Boards to the review of the APS Code of Ethics. The Society also wishes to thank the members of the Code Review Committee for the countless hours they volunteered over the 18 month review period. The combination of the above has generated a thorough, effective and valuable resource to guide the profession and practice of
psychology.

6 July 2007  

APS Statement - Federal Government intervention on safety in NT Indigenous communities
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) wishes to lend support to the concerns expressed by a number of Aboriginal community leaders in response to the Federal Government’s intervention on safety in Northern Territory Indigenous communities.

The APS believes that child-safe and child-friendly communities must be built on a basis of partnership and trust with those most affected. We welcome the Government’s attention to the urgency of the problems of child abuse, violence, poverty and demoralization that exist in many remote communities. We are concerned, however, that insistence on an interventionist short-term approach risks reinforcing these very problems by promoting widespread fear and distrust. Indigenous people have had too many experiences of harmful intervention on one hand and unfulfilled promises on the other, by a succession of governments and well-intentioned professionals over the years. We are also alarmed by the dominant media images of Indigenous people as problematic – psychological research on racism and prejudice warns of the negative effects of loaded representations of already marginalised groups.

We need to focus on prevention as well as crisis responses. We need to learn from those communities that are currently working well, and support them in their efforts to care for themselves. In addition to policing and medical teams, other professionals such as psychologists have the expertise to assist in community level education and prevention as well as service delivery. Where communities are struggling with the effects of historical and ongoing dispossession and cultural trauma, psychologists can be part of a process of empowerment, asking community leaders what they need most, and providing the supplementary services to promote healing, repair the damage and prepare for the next generation.

Psychologists who work in indigenous communities have found that utilizing resources such as traditional healing practices that exist within those communities can promote the most long-lasting healing and collective self-esteem.  The Government’s focus on policing highlights an important part of community safety and child protection, but it is only part of the picture, especially when relationships between police and local communities have been problematic for so long. To really protect the children and ensure that they grow up in the optimal environment, major long-term investment is needed to develop the resources that any community needs, such as health, education, housing and basic infrastructure. Most Indigenous communities lack these fundamental social resources and middle-level structures and services that most Australians take for granted. 

Our members would like to be part of solutions rather than problems. There is immense goodwill in the psychology profession, as in the wider community, but we also acknowledge our limitations. Current training models are not well geared to developing a culturally competent professional workforce. Professionals must have an understanding of working appropriately with the communities they seek to serve. They need adequate context-specific training, support and remuneration, whether as visiting professionals or on a live-in basis; or via a connected referral service. All of this requires resources that go beyond bandaid solutions. The APS has taken steps over the past 15 years to lift its game where its responsibilities to Indigenous Australians are concerned. We recognize that we have to listen to communities to hear what they need and want. We want to offer what we can and learn what we can, by working with, not on, communities via sustainably funded programs.

The drastic emergency response to the commissioned report on child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities has ignored the recommendations of that report. The Government actions to date risk further traumatizing significantly traumatized people. Creating fear will be counterproductive to any measures that might be implemented. The APS believes that the short and long-term focus needs to be on addressing the infrastructure gaps, funding shortages, and limited resources for living that characterise Aboriginal communities, to our national shame.

21 June 2007  

Review of National Standards for Mental Health Services
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) is currently reviewing the National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS), under contract with the Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing.
 
Dr Peter McGeorge, Chair of the NSMHS Steering Group commented that “that it is vital that the consultation is as broad as possible and we welcome comments from consumers, the community, the industry and other interested groups and individuals.” He also said that “the mental health sector must not only be able to align with the standards but have a sense of ownership of them. For this reason as many clinicians, consumers, carers and administrators as possible across the public, private and NGO sectors need to be involved in shaping them”.
 
Dr McGeorge said “that an extensive consultation process will be undertaken over the next six to nine months to test and further develop a revised draft set of standards.” He urged all those who wanted to participate in the ongoing process to take part in the current web-based survey.
 
Initial comments are sought under nine topic areas. The online survey requests comments on the issues that will shape the framework of the standards.

Taking into account these initial comments, the first draft of the revised standards and criteria will be available for review in July 2007. At this time another survey will be conducted seeking comment on the draft standards.  Using feedback received, a second draft of the standards will be developed and will be available for comment in late September 2007. Thorough piloting testing of the standards will also occur during this period.
 
To ensure the revised standards are appropriate for mental health services and beneficial to improving the quality of care and service, the ACHS has undertaken a scoping study involving consultation with: 

• state and territory health departments 
• consumers and carers and their associations
• private hospitals
• mental health service providers from a range of settings
• professional bodies
• relevant peak bodies.

If you or your colleagues would like to receive further updates on the review of the national standards for mental health services, please contact:
 
ACHS Development Unit
Phone: +61 2 9281 9955
email: achs@achs.org.au
website: http://www.achs.org.au/StndsMentalHealth/

25 May 2007

Australian Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Guidelines launched
Australian guidelines are now available to help people with acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (ASD and PTSD).

The Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (ASD and PTSD) were launched on 23 May by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Honourable Bruce Billson, MP, at Parliament House, Canberra.

Endorsed by the National Medical Health and Research Council, these new Guidelines assist all health practitioners to determine when is the right time for professional intervention and what's the best approach for helping people affected by trauma.

The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health developed the Guidelines in consultation with trauma experts from a range of disciplines, as well as people affected by trauma.

APS was part of the Guidelines development group and the Board of Directors has endorsed the final product.

Further information is available in the Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder brochure  (397kb).

How do you get a copy?

There are four versions of the Guidelines to suit different needs:

1. The full guidelines
2. A brief practitioner guide for easy use
3. A summary of the key treatment recommendations for practitioners
4. A guide to treatment for people diagnosed with ASD or PTSD, their families and carers

Putting the Guidelines into practice

ACPMH is collaborating with APS on the potential for delivering information and skills development workshops to ensure that practitioners' practices are consistent with those recommended in the Guidelines. 

25 May 2007  

Historic agreement signed with key professional bodies in mental health
The APS, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses this week signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding committing our organisations to work together on programs that aim to promote the mental health and welfare of people with mental health issues.

The MoU is particularly timely given the recent Australian Government reforms in mental health and the increasing trends towards team-based care. The MoU will help to strengthen existing relationships between the signatories, and the APS looks forward to working even more closely with the key professional bodies and colleagues in psychiatry, general practice and mental health nursing.

— Executive Director, Australian Psychological Society

Photos of the Memorandum of Understanding signing

10 May 2007

Pregnancy Counselling Services - be informed and aware!
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is keen to address the damage that can be done to vulnerable women, and to the reputation of the counselling professions, as a result of the confusion surrounding the various levels of 'pregnancy counselling' currently available. We wish to clarify the nature of the four kinds of services that are the focus of discussion, and to ensure that women seeking support in relation to any aspect of pregnancy are fully aware of their options.

(i) Currently in Australia, the Australian Federation of Pregnancy Support Services (AFPSS) has 27 agencies Australia-wide which advertise as providers of 'pregnancy counselling services'. These volunteer-operated services have been accused many times of deceptive advertising in refusing to state that they do not provide information or referrals on the full range of pregnancy options (broadly, continuation, adoption, termination), and in promoting highly judgemental positions in the guise of 'non-directive' counselling. These 'helplines' are the target of the Stott-Despoja 'Pregnancy Counselling (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2006'.

(ii) The newly-launched Federal Government telephone counselling National Pregnancy Support Helpline, run by Centacare, is staffed by paid counsellors whose brief is to offer 'non-directive counselling' but not to provide concrete information or referrals - for example, some callers were told to look up adoption services in the phone book if considering that option; and another counsellor was unable to tell a caller the likely cost of a termination, or the Centrelink benefits available to single mothers.

(iii) The new Medicare item for face-to-face Pregnancy Counselling, for which the APS provides compulsory online training before a provider can accept GP referrals, is available to women expressing concerns about any aspect of a current or recent pregnancy. Accredited providers can be psychologists, social workers or mental health nurses.

(iv) A number of other family planning and pregnancy advice services run by hospitals and community health agencies have been operating reputable professional training programs and information/counselling services for many years and continue to do so.

We are concerned that the considerable confusion surrounding these service options risks bringing the counselling/psychology profession into disrepute, and more importantly, places at risk the mental and physical health and welfare of members of the public towards whom we have a duty of care. APS psychologists are bound by a Code of Ethics and related Guidelines that apply to members' conduct when offering services in both their regular professional and any pro bono/voluntary contexts. These standards are consistent with those proposed by the Truth in Advertising Bill, in that members are always expected to carefully explain the terms and conditions of the services they provide, and/or issues that will not be dealt with.

The guidelines make it clear that a psychologist/counsellor should recognise a woman's right to development as an autonomous and psychologically healthy person, and recognise and support a woman's capacity to define her own problems. 'Non-directive' counselling does not preclude provision of comprehensive information about available options. Regardless of a service provider's personal views about reproductive choices, ethical service provision requires both informed consent to what is involved in the counselling process itself, and accurate information about the ranges of services available that are relevant to the problem being addressed.

— President, Australian Psychological Society

3 April 2007

Code of Ethics review - Feedback due by 11 May 2007
The Code Review committee has reviewed the APS Code of Ethics and compiled a draft Code which is available on the APS website. The Society welcomes members' feedback so please take the time to consider the document and send your comments by Friday 11 May 2007, preferably in electronic format, to codefeedback@psychology.org.au. When providing feedback, please include your name and the number of the ethical standard you wish to comment on. 

*Feedback submissions have now closed.

23 March 2007

43rd APS Annual Conference
Please note in your diaries that the 43rd APS Annual Conference will be held:

Date: Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 September 2008
Venue: Hotel Grand Chancellor