CPAP Advocacy Project
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Nova Scotia   

Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS)

Primary contact:
Dr. David Mensink, President

 

Secondary contacts:
 Dr. David Pilon, Chair, Advocacy Committee

Dr. Richard Braha , CPAP & CRHSPP Delegate

1657 Barrington Street, Suite 417

Halifax , Nova Scotia  B3J 2A1

Tel.: (902) 422-9183 Fax: (902) 422-9801

apns@apns.ca

Website: www.apns.ca

Membership:  Approximately 315

Advocacy Issues

Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act Introduced. APNS and other stakeholders are concerned about the reforms proposed in the new mental health act. 
 
Media
Introduction to Psychology Month (Media Letter) February, 2005
"February Proclaimed Psychology Month": January 31, 2005 (Press Release)
"APNS Honours Mary Walsh": January 31, 2005 (Press Release) 
Mental health care system in crisis: 500 waiting for treatment in HRM, New Democrat says. (January 26, 2005) Nova Scotia Herald Front page lead story in Nova Scotia newspaper.
Psychology Month
Click here to see what Nova Scotia's involvement in Psychology Month 2005
APNS Advocacy Work

 

Advocacy Related Committees Advocacy Priorities

  • Advocacy Committee

  • Psychology Month Coordinating Committee (driven by Executive Committee)

  • “It’s all about the people.” APNS is focussing on building an internal infrastructure and how to return value to members. If the members are happy, hopefully they’ll become ambassadors to psychology — advocates.

  • Building visibility of psychology in Nova Scotia

  • Public and stakeholder education

 
Current Advocacy Activities

 

  • Psychology Month: Draft communications and work plans for Psychology Month have been created. Several related initiatives are underway for Psychology Month:

  • TV ad is ready to go. It was successfully piloted in October 2004 (27 airings) and will be re-aired throughout Psychology Month.

  • Newspaper supplement planned

  • Awards being planned. Award for improving the well-being of others (non-psychologist). Also planned is a Healthy Workplace Award.

  • Recognition of volunteers

  • Gala event, psychologists raising money for charity

  • Ministerial proclamation, have initiated process to have Psychology Month proclaimed in NS as a kick-off event

  • Working with Media Workshop: planned for October 2004

  • Website Overhaul: Much enhanced Web presence in 2004.  Members-only and public access. Resources, etc. Would like it to become the “gateway to APNS”, support and increase advocacy efforts

  • Building Volunteerism: The Membership Committee is working on how to build and maintain a volunteer base. Surveys were completed.

  • Community presentations:  a series of public presentations are being planned to be delivered throughout the province.

  • Radio call-in relationship check-up.  Tentative, but APNS is exploring doing something based on Quebec ’s model.

  • Media releases are planned.  

Comments

  • Continuous need for coordination between the existing committees that work on varying components of advocacy – have increased the frequency of meetings of the “Executive Advisory Committee” - comprised of all Committee Chairs, Executive and Special representatives.  Also created closed listserves.

  • Hired a part-time office manager with public relations experience

  • Having problems dealing with the Department of Health, which is not including APNS in Primary Health Care initiatives, as well as other key initiatives. APNS may take a more aggressive approach to dealing with government.