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APS in the news - archive
Indigenous mental health
The Australian Psychological Society Reconciliation Action Plan and the need for a coordinated National Indigenous Mental Health Plan were among the topics discussed by Dr Pat Dudgeon, FAPS, in an interview to mark National Close the Gap Day.
Interview with Dr Pat Dudgeon
1 April 2012, Speaking Out, ABC Radio
Natural disasters
The APS has been providing advice to the community about preparing for, and recovering from, disasters via the APS Disaster Reference Group.
Disasters affect children too
March 18, 2012, Canberra Times
Tips on preparing children for Natural Disasters
2 December 2011, ABC Radio Brisbane, Mornings with Kate Leahy
Pre-budget submission
The Australian Psychological Society made a submission to the Federal Government ahead of the 2012-13 Budget — The Treasurer called for Budget submissions by January 28. The Submission proposed a cost effective alternative to slashing the Better Access scheme, called for increased psychological services in the aged care and disability sectors, an increase in the psychology workforce and early intervention for chronic disease.
A number of proposals contained within the submission have attracted media coverage.
Industry push for slice of federal budget (the APS calls for neurospyschological assessments)
16 April 2012, Aged Care INsite
Warning on mental health provision
30 January 2012, The Canberra Times
Psychologists target Treasurer for aged care funds
19 January, Australian Ageing Agenda
Obesity the new smoking?
10 January 2012, Food Magazine
Psychologists suggest compromise on Medicare rebate
5 January 2012, The Australian
Call to utilise psychology to help people struggling with obesity
4 January 2012, The Canberra Times
Our obesity issue the 'new smoking'
5 January 2012, the Canberra Times (Editorial)
Better Access
The APS launched a campaign against the reduction in the number of allowable sessions of psychological treatment under the Better Access initiative, announced in the 2011 Federal Budget in May. This has included the preparation and distribution of four media releases (see media release link on right) and Professor Lyn Littlefield has undertaken a number of interviews in high-profile publications and on national radio broadcasts to outline the APS position, and to propose a cost-effective solution to the changes, in order to protect vulnerable Australians – recent samples below.
Service to meets needs of vulnerable
13 February 2012, La Trobe Valley Express
Psychologists suggest compromise on Medicare rebate
5 January 2012, The Australian
Psychologists protesting at cuts to mental health programs
5 December 2011, The Australian
The APS outlines impact of cuts to Better Access
5 November 2011, ABC Radio, Kimberley
Interview with Professor Lyn Littlefield on Better Access cuts
4 November 2011, ABC Radio National PM program
This story was syndicated across 30 ABC radio stations in both metro and regional areas, from remote areas of Australia (e.g., Katherine, Broken Hill and Capricornia ) to cities, including Sydney and Hobart.
How to beat the back to school blues
23 January 2012, Sydney Morning Herald (this story was syndicated in The Age and a number of local Fairfax papers)
The APS runs the KidsMatter Transition to School initiative, funded by the Department of Health & Ageing, bringing together the latest research and best practice to assist children and families make a successful move to school.
Same Sex Relationships
The Australian Psychological Society has endorsed a recent resolution of the American Psychological Association calling for marriage equality for those in same-sex relationships, on health and wellbeing grounds. The announcement of the endorsement attracted media coverage in Australia and internationally.
Psychologists urge support of same-sex marriage as beneficial to mental health
23 December 2011, The Australian
Educational and Developmental Psychologists Conference, 25-26 November
The keynote presentations were the focus of the media campaign for the annual APS College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists Conference in Melbourne.
Focusing on strengths to teach children with learning disabilities
7 December 2011, Happy Child
US special education expert Professor Nancy Mather says identifying children’s strengths and creating opportunities for success is the key to treating children with learning disorders.
National Psychology Week (13-19 November)
During National Psychology Week the Australian Psychological Society launched the findings from the APS Stress and Well-being in Australia in 2011: A state of the nation survey, which achieved wide media pick up with around 150 media items appearing on radio, TV, online and in print (as of 17 November).
A number of media initiatives on behalf of Colleges and Member Groups were also successful.
Stress survey: to be young is to be troubled
14 November, Herald Sun
A study by the Australian Psychological Society of 1500 Australians has found that one in eight adults has severe stress, with those aged 18 to 25 more stressed and depressed than any other age group.
Stress affects young people most
14 November, Canberra Times
Results of the Australian Psychological Society's Stress and Wellbeing in Australia in 2011 survey have shown that young adults aged 18 to 25 are the most stressed in the nation.
Students struggle for balance
15 November, Byron Shire News
Regional publications also picked up the survey story.
Stress Less
16 November, NSW Department of Health
Kevin Humphries, Minister for Mental Health and Healthy Lifestyles, urged NSW residents to ‘stress less’ during National Psychology Week.
Creating a stress free workplace
16 November, ABC Adelaide
For NPW, the APS Branch in South Australia hosted an event about workplace resilience with one of their expert members that was used to raise funds for the SalvoPsych initiative in SA.
What women worry about
20 November, Body & Soul, Sunday Herald Sun
Also syndicated in Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Times (WA), Sunday Mail (Adelaide), Sunday Tasmanian, Sunday Mail (Brisbane)
Young workers more stressed than ever
20 November, Body & Soul online
Clinical Neuropsychologists Conference, 2-5 November
The focus of the media campaign for the 17th Annual APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists Conference was the topic of healthy brain ageing. Eminent US researcher, Professor Yaakov Stern, presented at the symposium: Optimising Healthy Brain Ageing and his work received a high level of media interest, including some samples as below.
Stay active to build brain power: expert
1 November, Sydney Morning Herald
Use your brain to fight dementia
1 November, Topnews New Zealand
Start Depositing in your brain bank
3 November 2011, Straits Times, Singapore
A double edged sword
3 November 2011, Australian Ageing Agenda
Disaster preparation for bushfires
Children need disaster support
29 October 2011, Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader
Dr Susie Burke, a senior psychologist in the public interest team at the APS, offer insights into preparing children for disasters.
46th APS Annual Conference, 4-8 October 2011
Over 130 media items across 20 different Conference topics ran on radio, TV, in print and online, reaching as estimated audience of 5.7 million people
Good outcomes for patients with psychologists in GP practice
5 October 2011, the Medical Observer
APS psychologist Dr Robyn Vines says co-locating psychologists in general practice promotes collaborative healthcare and leads to better patient outcomes.
Focus on community after natural disaster
5 October 2011, Perth Now
Leading US psychologist Prof Krzysztof Kaniasty— who delivered a keynote address to the 46th APS Annual National Conference— says maintaining strong social ties in the aftermath of a natural disaster helps people overcome trauma.
Lack of sleep linked to depression in new mothers
6 October 2011, Nine News
New mothers who get less than six hours of sleep a night face an increased risk of post-natal depression compared with mothers who regularly sleep longer, according to research presented at the 46th APS Annual National Conference.
Young people fail to keep appointments with health professionals
7 October 2011, Geelong Advertiser
APS Fellow Professor Debra Rickwood says mental health services are most needed among young people, yet one in four fail to keep appointments with mental health services.
The great childcare dilemma
10 October 2011, Perth Now
Research presented at the 46th APS Annual National Conference shows that stay-at-home parents are a little happier and less stressed than those who choose to put their children in care.
Positive outcomes for seniors in retirement villages
17 October 2011, Aged Care INsite
People who relocate to a retirement village feel more secure and have an improved social life, according to preliminary research presented at the 46th APS Annual National Conference.
Detention
As all the evidence supports the mental health harms associated with detention, the Australian Psychological Society, along with other key health and mental health groups, has been campaigning against detention of refugees and asylum-seekers.
Mental health experts criticise detention
18 August 2011, Australian Associated Press (AAP)
This story was syndicated widely, including in the Courier Mail and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Mental health care 'compromised' by detention contracts
29 August, 2011 ABC North West WA
Mental health professional groups, including the Australian Psychological Society, have again criticised the level of care offered in Australia's immigration detention centres.
Mental health standards needed in detention centres
9 September 2011, The Drum
Detention centres are failing to meet adequate standards of care, says Amanda Gordon, a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and former APS president, who takes up the issue in this online opinion piece.
Detention of mentally ill must end
28 October, Ninemsn.com.au
