Psychology Festival of Learning kicks off on Wednesday

The Human Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council recently released the results of the first SA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included findings around mental health: psychological distress, experience of traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder. They identified the serious shortage of mental health professionals in South Africa as one of the issues that needed to be tackled.

The Psychology Festival of Learning aims to increase psychological literacy in the community around issues affecting communities, families and individuals, providing a platform for professionals, students and the broader community to explore the many facets of psychology and its application. In line with SACAP's vision, the Festival aims to enable every participant to take one step further on their journey of understanding the nature and practice of psychology at an individual and community level.

As part of the broader theme of 'Beacons of Light', the Psychology Festival of Learning will offer presentations, workshops and contemporary documentaries covering a diverse range of interest fields, including:

• Family and Relationships
  
• Crisis and Trauma
  
• Disorders and Treatments
  
• Lifestyle Strategies
  
• Gender and Sexuality
  
• Coaching
  
• Addiction

Lance Katz, Managing Director of SACAP says: "We have carefully selected a diverse range of speakers who are thought-provoking opinion leaders in their field, as well as community members speaking from personal experience. We are inspired by a vision of an empowered society, knitted by confident, self-aware individuals in healthy relationships with self, family and community. The Festival is part of our contribution to fulfilling this vision."

40 guest speakers will be covering an extensive range of topics over the two days, including:

• Romantic Obsessions & Addictive Relationships
  
• Blended Families - Exploring Key Issues Facing Step-Families
  
• Misunderstanding Grief
  
• Connected Parents, Thriving Kids
  
• Myths and Truths about Coaching
  
• Transgender and the Trauma of Transitioning
  
• The Psychotherapy of Everyday Life
  
• Driving Dreams
  
• Finding Meaning after loosing a Child to Cancer
  
• Neuropsychology Assessment and Interventions

For many decades now South Africa has been struggling with a multitude of socioeconomic challenges like poverty and prejudice, violence and abuse, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, the HIV and AIDS pandemic and failing educational systems. Overwhelmed by the psychosocial needs caused by these challenges, this reality places immense strain on an already precarious health care structure. The Psychology Festival of Learning is just one element of SACAP's continued efforts to train an inspired workforce of counselors to service those people who fall by the wayside of accessible mental health services.

Tickets for the Psychology Festival of Learning are available from the website: www.psychologyfestivaloflearning.co.za and cost R250 for a two-day pass. Tickets are also available at R150 for a one-day pass and R100 for a half-day pass.