Donna Edwards, a 60-year-old student from Brisbane, is on the cusp of realizing her lifelong dream. She is about to join the ranks of fully qualified psychologists! She’s spent the last few years studying toward her bachelor’s degree at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales. Today, she’s poised to graduate from her four-year program with honors. Despite her excellent grade point average (GPA) of above 6, Edwards now faces a daunting challenge: securing a spot in a postgraduate course, which is essential for her to register as a psychologist.
Edwards is under major political pressure. She’s got just a few months of high school remaining to win an opportunity in a master’s program. Her blogcast is a cry of help and an advocacy for much needed reform to the challenges which psychology students encounter in Australia. Landing an available postgraduate course is getting easier to win the lottery. Yet her struggle is not just an individual hardship; it speaks to a growing crisis stifling the paths of aspiring psychologists all across the country.
The Mental Health Crisis
With a burgeoning mental health crisis in Australia, Edwards wants to do good and help make a positive impact by being part of the solution. This, coupled with her life experiences, she says, make her uniquely positioned and equipped to make a meaningful impact in the field.
“I’m at that point in my life where I think I can contribute. I’ve got experience … I’ve got all these skills; I just need the piece of paper.” – Donna Edwards
Edwards’ enthusiasm for psychology comes from a deep commitment to support others through their mental health journeys. Her only complaint, though, is that these desires are often stifled by the lack of availability for postgraduate programs.
With Australia having more than 40 universities, I cannot just apply to all of them as that’s simply impractical, she explains. Sadly, this still leaves too many like her feeling frustrated and hopeless.
The Shortage of Psychologists
According to the Australian Psychology Society (APS), the country is currently meeting only about 35 percent of its total workforce requirements for psychologists. According to Dr Zena Burgess, chief executive of the APS, these few ongoing efforts are not enough to tackle this critical shortage.
“It’s just an incredible waste of effort by the students, a waste of money by the government, and a terrible tragedy in terms of community service.” – Dr. Zena Burgess
Dr. Burgess is correct when she points out that the need for trained psychologists quickly outpaces these available assets. Adding more postgraduate places is crucial. She contends that even adding 500 new spots won’t come close to solving the problem.
“If you’re looking at 35 percent of the workforce requirements being met, 500 places is not going to make a huge difference,” she states.
Dr. Burgess is adamantly in favor of adding several thousand spots annually. This jump is intended to meet at least 80 to 90 percent of workforce demand.
A Frustrating Journey
For Edwards, the trip has been full of obstacles that would be daunting for almost anyone. Even with her hard work and diligence, she is left wondering if she is making the right choice.
I’m considering other options — even getting into medicine — and that’s going to be easier for me than psychology, which is kind of crazy, she admits. Edwards’ frustration is one shared by many other accomplished students who have the credentials but can’t seem to find adequate postgraduate placements.
“They acknowledge that we’ve got a huge mental health crisis out there, but what are the people in power doing?” – Donna Edwards
Edwards has been doing her part as well, making sure her GPA stays high to be competitive and having all her references lined up for her applications. She is still not sure what to expect moving forward as she continues to seek a home and await word from interested schools.
