This World Mental Health Day, as many of us face global, local, and personal challenges, it is critical we prioritise our own self-care so we can continue to care for and support the health, mental health and wellbeing of our Australian communities.
At the start of the year, you told us you are struggling to meet demand. Members who completed our survey told us they were working on average 17 unpaid hours per week. This is hardly surprising, with the Federal Government meeting only 35% of its psychology workforce target, the largest shortfall of all mental health professions.
We have achieved some significant wins for our profession as well as improving access to services for our patients over the past two years, but there is still much to be done. We will persist in working towards further reforms that relieve pressure on our profession and those seeking our support, like addressing the workforce and training issues and ensuring the additional 10 Medicare sessions are made permanent.
We have curated a list of resources to encourage dedication to your own self-care and connection with your colleagues, as well as a reminder to refresh your details on Find a Psychologist so other professionals can find you for referrals and those seeking help can find your services.
Yours sincerely,
Tamara Cavenett FAPS GAICD
President
Further reading
Self-care for psychologists in clinical practice during COVID-19
Comfortably compliant: Importance of self-care
The highly efficient psychologist
Better than cure? Why we should focus on prevention
Psychologists’ wellbeing in the workplace
Unpaid, underfunded and overworked: Building the case for change
1 in 3 psychologists are unable to see new clients, but Australians need help more than ever
eLearning 
Self-care for psychologists | 1.5 CPD hours
Yoga for Self-care: A tool to mitigate, stress, burnout, and vicarious trauma | 1.5 CPD hours
Self-reflection for psychologists: A schema therapy approach | 1.5 CPD hours
Never good enough: Responding to perfectionistic self-criticism as a therapist using flexibility and compassion | 1.5 CPD hours
Emotional Freedom Techniques: Emerging research | 3 CPD hours
Stable Ground: Meditation for Psychologists | 3.5 CPD hours
Connect with peers
Member Groups, Divisions and Networks
Member meet-up events
All-member Fireside Chat Wednesday 16 November (online)