The Australian Psychological Society's apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Going beyond the apology in the teaching and training of psychologists

Pat Dudgeon, Timothy A. Carey, Sabine Hammond, Tanja Hirvonen, Michael Kyrios, Louise Roufeil, Peter Smith

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

In Australia, the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mental health and well-being is a major human rights issue, and escalating suicide rates represent a national emergency. This chapter describes the Australian human rights context and developments within the discipline and profession of psychology to address these inequities, with the reconciliation action plan developed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as one commitment to change. The focus on respectful relationships, cultural safety, and promoting self-determination is part of the background leading to the APS apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The apology highlighted the importance of a commitment by all psychologists to reconciliation and to modifying their attitudes and work practices to ensure a culturally appropriate, responsive, and safe workforce. The Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) represents a focus on the education and employment of the psychology workforce and illustrates collaboration with key stakeholders in psychology education to provide frameworks and guidelines for embedding cultural awareness, responsiveness, and competence throughout all psychology education.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Cambridge Handbook of Psychology and Human Rights
EditorsNeal S Rubin, Roseanne L Flores
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
PublisherCambridge University Press
Chapter37
Pages553-567
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-108-34860-7
ISBN (Print)978-1-108-42563-6, 978-1-108-44281-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Indigenous psychology
  • Australian Psychological Society
  • Self-determination
  • Teaching
  • Psychologist training
  • Decolonisation
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Australian Psychological Society's apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Going beyond the apology in the teaching and training of psychologists'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this