The Australian Psychological Society's Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Title
The Australian Psychological Society's Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Publication Date
2017-08
Author(s)
Carey, Timothy A
Dudgeon, Pat
Hammond, Sabine W
Hirvonen, Tanja
Kyrios, Michael
Roufeil, Louise
Smith, Peter
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8883-731X
Email: psmith81@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:psmith81
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1111/ap.12300
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/61187
Abstract

The gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous health, education, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing remains a major concern. Bridging these gaps and working in culturally safe and responsive ways with people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent presents considerable challenges, including for the discipline and profession of psychology. At the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) inaugural congress in September 2016, the APS issued an Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The apology was a formal acknowledgment of the role of the discipline and profession of psychology in failing to listen and show respect to Indigenous Australians. The apology was also a commitment to change. This paper provides the background and context to, and motivation for, the apology. The APS received highly positive reactions to the apology across Australia and internationally. However, further change and work needs to be undertaken as the challenge for the discipline and profession now is to demonstrate a commitment to the apology by supporting and engaging in culturally safe practices.

Link
Citation
Australian Psychologist, 52(4), p. 261-267
ISSN
1742-9544
0005-0067
Start page
261
End page
267

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