Psychology and social justice issues
Psychology Week is an opportunity for the APS and its members to demystify and communicate the depth, breadth and many benefits of psychology to the Australians who benefit from our expertise, training and research every day, in almost every setting – from classroom to workplace, private clinics to large hospitals, sports fields, courtrooms and much more.
This year, Psychology Week will promote what psychology as a science tells us about young people’s feelings, attitudes and beliefs about social justice, with a particular focus on the climate crisis.
There is increasing awareness and acknowledgement of the rights of children and young people, and simultaneously a growing sense of autonomy and agency where children and young people are expressing their views and demanding to have a say. This is most visible in the recent school strikes for climate action.
There is also evidence that children and young people are much more accepting and embracing of social justice issues such as diversity in ethnicity, general and sexual identities, and climate change than their adult counterparts. Hence, they have a voice that we all can learn from.
The climate crisis is an issue many children and young people know about, care about, and are worried about. Taking action on climate change builds young people’s agency, capacity, mental health and resilience.
The climate crisis is also significant to children’s current and future health. It is estimated that climate changes currently cause on average 400,000 deaths each year (a figure that is predicted to increase markedly)1, and that children in developing countries are most affected.
Psychologists need to be prepared for helping to prevent and treat such mental health difficulties. Psychologists and the APS can be playing a role in the advocacy and education of decision-makers, colleagues and the public about the magnitude of the threat of climate change and about effective actions.
The APS will release a position paper during Psychology Week, looking at what Australian research tells us about young people and social justice involvement, and the relationship to psychology and psychological science.
A youth advisory group (both face-to-face and online) will also be established to play a key role in informing the campaign. If you know young people aged 16-25 who may be interested in taking part they can learn more here.
Members and the public will be able to find more information and download resources including tip sheets and guides for parents at psychweek.org.au
We encourage members to engage in activities in their local area and through their networks during Psychology Week 2019 to spread the word about what psychology and psychologists can contribute at the local level and beyond.
1 DARA (2012). Climate Vulnerability Monitor 2nd Edition: A guide to the cold calculus of a hot planet. Madrid, Fundación DARA Internacional. Retrieved from www.daraint.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/CVM2ndEd-FrontMatter.pdf