Amplifying our voice
One of the most important jobs that we have is promoting the inclusion of evidence-based psychology in policy developments that will have a real impact on people’s lives.
29 September 2023
By Sarb Bajwa
This is something that we're doing all the time through responding to consultations, meetings with policymakers and public statements from the expert members who sit on our boards and head up our member networks.
Within the last month, there have been three particularly important areas on which we've publicly commented, and where I believe it is vital that we continue to highlight psychology's vital contributions.
Firstly, it was disappointing to read reports that the government may have 'run out of time' to publish a draft bill to ban conversion therapy, something which it has repeatedly promised and which the BPS has been calling for over a number of years.
I fully agree with the response of Dr Adam Jowett, chair of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board, which you can read on our website.
Adam's words struck the balance between pushing for a ban to end the 'harmful and abusive practices' that we know go on, while also continuing to support ethical and non-judgmental therapeutic work.
We also responded to the publication of the new National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which shows welcome signs of a joined-up approach to services and commitment to early intervention in this vital area of mental health care.
As is often the case, we have concerns over whether the funding and workforce is in place to deliver what is promised, and it's an example of where our campaigning on strengthening the psychological workforce ties together with wider objectives that impact on public health.
Our President-Elect Dr Roman Raczka responded to the strategy's publication in full – you can read his comments on our website.
The final recent society comment that I want to highlight relates to the Online Safety Bill, which we've campaigned vocally about since it was first suggested due to its importance in protecting vulnerable children and adults from harm online.
We are delighted to see the work done by ourselves and numerous other organisations and individuals to campaign on this bill come to fruition, and that it is now making its final steps to becoming law.
It's a great example of how the work that we do can bear fruit in the real world, and I want to thank everyone who was involved in providing the psychological evidence base for our campaigning on this issue.
These are just some examples of the issues on which we're actively promoting the voice of psychology, but we couldn't do it without the input of our members who know the most about these issues. If you'd like to contribute your expertise and held us to make a difference, keep an eye on our currently open consultations and vacancies on our boards and committees.