More Psychologists Aren’t The Only Answer
This opinion piece appeared in The Canberra Times on August 29 2024. By Deborah Childs CEO HelpingMinds
It is true Australia is suffering a critical shortage of psychologists to address the growing mental health demands of the country. And it’s crucial to acknowledge the significance of having a well-trained workforce. However, focusing solely on increasing the number of psychologists may overlook a more sustainable and holistic approach to addressing our mental health crisis.
The solution to our mental health workforce challenges doesn’t lie solely in producing more psychologists, but in broadening our understanding of what constitutes an effective mental health team. A sustainable mental health workforce goes beyond psychologists alone. While the rigorous training that psychologists undergo is undeniably important, it is not the only source of expertise necessary for effective mental health care.
We need to shift from a purely biomedical model and recognise the value of lived experience in mental health care. Individuals who have personally navigated the mental health system, who have faced challenges and learned to manage their conditions, bring an invaluable perspective that complements traditional psychological training.
Lived experience workers – people who have experienced mental health issues themselves and have successfully managed them – play a critical role in supporting others on their mental health journeys. These individuals, often referred to as peer workers, offer insights and understanding that can’t be replicated through academic training alone. Their empathy, built from a shared experience, creates a unique connection with those they support.
When lived experience is integrated into the mental health workforce, it enriches the care provided, offering a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to treatment. The inclusion of lived experience in mental health care is not about lowering standards or replacing psychologists with less qualified staff. Rather, it’s about expanding the range of supports available to people experiencing mental health challenges. Peer workers can work alongside psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals to offer a more holistic, person-centered approach to care.
By working together, those with lived experience and those with learned experience can create a mental health system that is more responsive, empathetic, and effective. Moreover, the lessons learned through life experience can often provide a depth of understanding that is not always captured in academic settings. Not everything can be learned in a university classroom.
Life’s journey teaches us resilience, empathy, and the capacity to overcome adversity – qualities that are essential in supporting others who are facing their own mental health struggles. This understanding should be leveraged within our mental health system, rather than sidelined in favor of a narrow focus on academic credentials. It’s also important to recognise that the mental health challenges we face are not just clinical or psychological, but social and systemic. Addressing these challenges requires a diverse range of perspectives and skills.
Peer workers bring a critical social perspective to mental health care, highlighting the importance of community, social support, and the lived realities of those with mental health issues.
These insights are essential for developing strategies that not only treat mental illness but also address its root causes. As we look to the future of mental health care in Australia, we must broaden our approach. Yes, we need more psychologists, and we should work to remove the bottlenecks in training programs to ensure that capable and interested students can enter the profession. But we also need to create a mental health workforce that is diverse and inclusive, one that values lived experience as much as academic credentials.
Government and university initiatives should not only focus on increasing the number of psychologists but also on integrating peer workers into the mental health workforce. This means providing adequate training and support for lived experience workers, recognising their contributions, and ensuring they have a voice in the development and delivery of mental health services.
By expanding our understanding of what constitutes a mental health professional, we can build a more sustainable, effective, and compassionate mental health system – one that truly meets the needs of all Australians. The answer to our mental health workforce crisis isn’t just more psychologists; it’s a broader, more inclusive approach that values every form of expertise in mental health care.