The road to reconciliation: APS steps so far

With its commitment to improving community wellbeing, the APS has taken a number of steps (prior to the development of the RAP) to contribute to social and emotional wellbeing and mental health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to improve support for psychologists working with Indigenous communities. The ways in which APS members have worked to advance understanding and improve practice include:

• the 20-year history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology Interest Group  
• the APS’s support of the establishment and development of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association
• the launch of the Bendi Lango bursaries for Indigenous students in financial need, now formalised as a fund for APS member donations at subscription renewal time
• the development of ethical guidelines for psychological research and practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• establishment of  the APS Indigenous Psychology Education Reference Group

The first report on RAP activities and achievements  provides a detailed overview on the actions from the time the development of an APS RAP was first proposed (January 2010) to its launch in September 2012.  While the inaugural APS RAP was launched within the last 12 months, significant actions were undertaken during the planning and consultation phase.

• RAP Report: Jan 2010 – Sept 2012

The APS RAP working group welcomes your questions, ideas and feedback to help put into practice a meaningful Reconciliation Action Plan. Email reconciliation_aps@psychology.org.au