Through our advocacy and media work, the APS is making significant gains in increasing the awareness and understanding of the science and practice of psychology, with decision-makers and funding bodies, as well as with the Australian community more broadly.
This is a priority area for the APS, and I am proud of what we have achieved – particularly in recent months. We know that our members are working incredibly hard to bring the life-changing benefits of psychological science and practice, to the communities we work with. The APS will continue to advocate on the national stage with Government and other stakeholders to make sure members are supported in the important work they do. Some of our recent achievements:
Telehealth
The 31 March deadline for telehealth Medicare items looms, and we continue to urge the Government to provide much-needed clarity, and certainty about continuity of care, for practitioners and clients.
Having liaised with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg earlier this month, we continue to engage with the Federal Government and use the national media to raise awareness of this issue.
Media coverage
• Media coverage has included a national story in the Fairfax papers: Shooting survivor Emma says psychological telehealth is a lifeline that must stay
• This week, we have reiterated our concerns in the media, including radio coverage on 2GB and 2SM.
Royal Commissions into Aged Care and Victoria’s mental health system
Last week saw the release of the final reports from two landmark Royal Commissions. The APS made multiple submissions to each of the inquiries and in each of the reports there are clear links between our advocacy efforts and the recommendations:
• Aged care residents should be eligible for MBS psychological services under Better Access from November 2021. This is an important step in securing indefinite access and we are pushing Government to turn this into a reality
• There should be reduction and regulation of the use of restrictive practices for addressing behavioural issues of aged care residents. The APS has long argued that restrictive practices need significantly more oversight and should only be used in exceptional circumstances
• The Victorian Government is proposing the establishment of close to 100 new mental health and wellbeing services. This has the potential to bolster the capacity of the public sector and community level support – which we made clear as part of our 29 recommendations to the Commission.
Media coverage
• The APS received significant media coverage for the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health system, with over 300 media hits and over 70 million in reach (cumulative audience).
• Victorian Government agrees to reform mental health system after catastrophic failures (ABC PM)
• People with lived experience of mental illness central to reforming Victoria's system: Royal Commission (ABC Life Matters)
• Reactions to Victorian mental health inquiry (The Canberra Times)
• Victorians deserve expert, evidence-based mental health support, says peak body for psychologists (Mirage News)
Natural disasters resources:
The APS has a large suite of evidence-based resources on how Australians can prepare for and cope with the devastating impact of natural disasters. They include tangible, practical tips and showcase the role of psychology in emergency situations.
The ABC Emergency website aggregates information from national and state emergency services, and reaches a wide audience across Australia. The APS has been working with ABC Emergency to ensure psychological advice is widely shared with the community, including through this feature piece: How to help your kids cope with a disaster or emergency
National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030
The National Preventive Health Strategy aims to ensure prevention activities are front and centre in Australia’s efforts to reduce the burden of health. It will be launched in mid-2021.
• In our response to the consultation paper put forward by Government in 2020, we noted the heavy focus on physical health issues, with minimal mention of mental health. The APS submission stated the need to embed mental health into the Strategy and the need for a greater emphasis on the social and environmental determinants of health.
• The Draft Strategy has now been released and it is very pleasing to see that much of our advice has been considered, with a significant difference in the approach to mental health and wellbeing: protecting mental health and reducing alcohol and other drug harm are now key focus areas in the Strategy.
• The consultation process continues. The APS will examine the details of the approach and will provide a response to Government on the draft. Members can provide input by contacting the policy team.
Pre-Budget Submission 2021-22
The APS Pre-Budget Submission 2021-22 provides government with a roadmap out of the mental health pandemic, focusing on seven key areas. While the Government considers our submission, we are meeting with key stakeholders and decision-makers and using the media to bring a spotlight to these issues.
Media coverage
• ‘Shocking’ numbers of children presenting with mental health issues (The Age and Sydney Morning Herald)
• Live interview with 6PR radio
Victoria’s ban on conversion practices
The APS has publicly welcomed Victoria’s ban on conversion practices for LGBTIQ+ people, and engaged extensively with the media to share our strong support for the ban and to put psychological evidence on the record.
Media coverage
• The religious right is wrong about conversion therapy (Sydney Sun)
• A Tasmanian survivor's story on conversion practices (The Examiner)
• Push to ban conversion practices in Tasmania, a survivor's story (The Advocate)
• One man explains his gay conversion practice experience (The Canberra Times)
• Victorian government passes ‘gold-standard’ conversion therapy ban (Out in Perth)
• Gay conversion therapy banned in Victoria, national ban still lacking (The Big Smoke)
Further media coverage
The APS has had extensive media reach since the start of 2021. In addition to the above stories, we have engaged media on a range of topics including grief, suicide, phobias, and regional and remote access to mental health services. One focus for us is to raise awareness with the public about how psychology can explain the way we think, feel and act. By working with lifestyle media, talking about widely appealing issues, the APS showcases the varied ways psychological science intersects in people's lives.
Some highlights include:
• Psychologists face 'tsunami' of demand during COVID-19 pandemic, bushfire anniversaries (ABC News)
• ‘It’s made us feel lighter’: Could an app reinvigorate your relationship? (The Age and Sydney Morning Herald)
• Why trying new things is extra important in COVID times (ABC)
• Dealing with guilt after a loved one's suicide (ABC)
• Reclaiming power after sexual assault (Shameless podcast)
• Anxiety shoulders: What they look like and how you can tackle them (MamaMia)
• Is regretting your past decisions helpful or useless self-torture? (ABC)
• I've made my child afraid of the dark. How do I fix it? (ABC)
I encourage members to read our weekly e-newsletter APS Update, which provides up-to-date information on our media and advocacy work, as well as the latest news and resources. We look forward to sharing more of our work with you as the year progresses.
Tamara Cavenett FAPS GAICD
APS President