Advocacy Training for Psychologists in Public Service Settings

What is it about?

Most training models for psychologists at the intern or postdoctoral level do not overtly include training related to social justice advocacy. The authors propose this be included and give real-world examples of how this can be done in public service settings (e.g., community mental health centers, VA medical centers, etc.).

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Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Those serving patients mental health needs, particularly in public service settings are faced with some of the most intense social injustices in our country, seeing that inequity play out in the lives of those patients. While those of us active in training the next generation of psychologists may talk with them about the need for systems change, for individual and social advocacy, we rarely teach them to work in that realm--particularly if we are psychologists in public service. In order to change the system and increase social justice we must teach the next generation about social justice and provide them with the tools to make a difference at and above the level of the individual.