When it comes to advocacy, many graduate students may shy away, feeling powerless and unsure of how their contributions can generate changes in policy, says Yaron G. Rabinowitz, chair of the APAGS Advocacy Coordinating Team (ACT) and a fourth-year doctoral student at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology.
But psychology graduate students are making a difference. Whether it's from the steps of the U.S. Capitol or through calls or letters to members of Congress, students are getting their voices heard by legislators and trying to spark change on such issues as mental health parity and education funding.
However, more voices are needed, Rabinowitz says.
"Psychology graduate students are entering the field at an exciting period in its history, yet many do not recognize that the breadth, scope, compensation and even setting of their practice is largely determined by legislators," Rabinowitz says. "If we don't cultivate a dynamic of advocacy now, then we relegate the fate of our profession to others."
Plus, students who work on federal advocacy issues can build connections with others who hold similar interests, says Ellen Garrison, PhD, APA's director of Public Interest Policy. Together, she adds, students can advocate for issues such as funding for psychological research and graduate training or address national problems like youth suicide, poverty or health disparities.
"Your vote counts just as much as anyone else's, and members of Congress are well aware of this," Garrison says. "A phone call, an e-mail, a fax or a visit to the local or national office of a member of Congress can influence the development of public policy."
In fact, the goal of ACT-a subcommittee of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS)-is to assist students in doing just that. The committee has about 300 campus representatives, 50 state advocacy coordinators and six regional advocacy coordinators who help organize student advocacy for federal and state initiatives.
Here's a wrap-up of legislation and advocacy issues that affect psychology graduate students and advice on how to get involved.
Issue: Passing the Campus Care and Counseling Act
Background: The Campus Care and Counseling Act (S. 2215; H.R. 3593) would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 and provide funds to help expand campus-based mental and behavioral health services for college students. The bill was introduced in the House in November and then introduced in the Senate in March. It would provide $10 million through competitive grants to college campus centers that provide mental and behavioral health services to students. The funds may also create more internship slots for students in counseling centers.
What students can do: Call and send letters or e-mails to encourage members of Congress to support and become a co-sponsor of the bill. APA provides sample formats for phone calls, letters and e-mails.
For more information: Contact Jenny Smulson at APA or visit the Public Policy Office Web site.
Issue: Including psychology in the Homeland Security Federal Workforce ActI
Background: The Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act (S. 589), which passed the Senate in November 2003, establishes a graduate fellowship program for students in the natural and physical sciences but excludes students in the social sciences. The legislation was referred to two House committees-the Committee on Government Reform and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. APA's science policy staff has been working with both committees to remove the exclusionary language so that social scientists and, in particular, psychology students can participate in the fellowship program.
What students can do: Watch for action alerts through APA's Science Policy Insider News or Public Policy Advocacy Network (see Tapping APA's advocacy resources, this issue).
For more information: Contact the APA Public Policy Office or visit the Public Policy Office Web site.
Issue: Securing Medicare funding for psychology internship training
Background: Since 1997, APA has been advocating for Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding so that internship programs will receive reimbursement when psychology interns treat Medicare patients in hospitals. In January 2001, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a rule to provide Medicare funding for psychology internship programs, but the agency never finalized the rule. Advocates are trying to get Congress to adopt legislation that includes psychology in Medicare reimbursement. In recent efforts, APA was able to get the needed language in the Medicare prescription drug bill, but the provision was stripped from the bill.
What students can do: Watch for updates on APA's Web site.
For more information: Visit APA's Practice Directorate Web site.
Issue: Gaining bipartisan support for mental health parity
Background: The Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act (S. 486/H.R. 953)-named in honor of the late Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.)-would expand mental health-care coverage and prohibit group health plans from arbitrarily restricting treatment or limiting compensation on mental health benefits any differently from medical or surgical coverage. The bill is similar to legislation that passed the Senate but died in the House more than two years ago.
What students can do: Students can write letters to their members of Congress in support of mental health parity.
For more information: Visit APA's Practice Directorate Web site.
Issue: Increasing funding for APA's Minority Fellowship Program
Background: APA's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) provides funding for training minority mental health professionals to provide mental health and substance abuse services to diverse populations. APA is working to urge Congress to increase funding from $3 million to $6 million in 2005 for MFP. The funding would be used to help reduce health disparities in the mental health field.
What students can do: Watch for updates on Minority Fellowship Program.