Our thoughts go out to all those impacted by the floods in Queensland and NSW. AAPi is a community and these devastating floods have spurred deeper connections with our members as we have reached out individually to those impacted, providing support and assistance through this difficult time.

AAPi member and the Director of The Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network Michelle Roberts has written a wonderful piece below with loads of practical advice that we hope you find helpful in navigating current and future disasters.

AAPi has campaigned for the extension of the Medicare Bushfire Recovery item numbers to cover people affected by the floods and other future disasters. These items allow self referral to a psychologist for up to 10 sessions per year to help with recovery. AAPi's advocacy in this area was included in newspapers around the country as well as on Channel 10 news this week.

AAPi was also featured in the Herald Sun this week providing practical solutions to the mental health crisis. AAPi's advocacy items of a one-tier higher rebate of $150 for the clients of all psychologists as well as the need for provisional psychologists to provide services under Medicare were included in this important article.

Key section from the article:

The Australian Association of Psychologists said the nation was in the midst of “the biggest mental health crisis this country has ever seen”. 

AAP executive director Tegan Carrison said urgent action was needed to ease the long term mental health crisis caused by the Covid pandemic.

“The client rebate for all psychology services across the board needs to be raised to $150 so that private practices remain viable and the community can afford the support it so desperately needs, when they need it.”

Next week AAPi will appear before the Queensland Mental Health Select Committee. As always we will champion the role of all psychologists and advocate for key reforms and at State and Federal level.

AAPi is also involved in further consultations regarding the Better Access Evaluation, NDIS, National PHN Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework development, disaster recover, WorkCover reforms and the Psychology Board Education and Training Reforms. It is an incredibly important year for strong advocacy for psychology and AAPi is leading the way.