Student Division (SD)

OBJECTIVES

The Student Division of PsySSA aims to:

  • Develop an organisational structure for psychology that reconciles historically opposed groups;
  • To serve the needs and the interests of all South Africa’s people;
  • To acknowledge and surpass psychology’s role in the apartheid system;
  • Ensure that the division remains an organ of civil society without an overt or covert loyalty to any political party.
  • Advance psychology as a science, profession and as a means of promoting human well being;
  • Actively strive for social justice, opposing policies that deny individuals or groups access to the material and psychological conditions necessary for optimal human development and protesting against any violation of basic human rights;
  • To establish and maintain the highest standard of ethics;
  • Engage in policy development processes that are relevant to social enhancement and psychological practice in South Africa;
  • Promote the rendering or and advancing mental health services to all in South Africa.

Vision and Mission of the PsySSA Student Division

The Student Division is centered on the core values of ethical development of psychology students and aims to create a space to gain insight into the discipline, academically and practically. By providing mentorship opportunities, we believe that knowledge can be organically transferred between students who would not have the access to the relevant resources and inspire collaboration among students, and professionals.

We recognise that transformation of the discipline is imperative to realise a truly inclusive approach to psychological services and research in South Africa.

By facilitating community engagement, we aim to inspire students to one day become professionals that give back to the community and be passionate about service to the poor and vulnerable.

We endeavour to always listen to our fellow students and acknowledge that the student journey is not always a clear path, thus we strive to be a comprehensive repository of psychology student guidance. By enabling knowledge dissemination, we also focus strongly on developing and connecting Psychology Societies, unified in the spirit of serving, to promote mental health services for all in South Africa. To get involved with us, please see the divisional contact details listed below.

Through our various subcommittees listed below, we aim to achieve the above-mentioned ideals:

  • Community Development
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Media & Marketing
  • Multidisciplinary
  • National Mentorship Programme
  • Public Relations
  • Psychology Student Societies on Campus
  • Research into Student Empowerment
  • Student Representatives Council
  • Transformation
INCENTIVES for Membership
What do members receive by becoming members?
  • Access to the SAJP
  • Affiliation with a student body that will represent and support you
  • Support to psychology student structures at Universities
  • Connection with Psychology professionals and the academic field
  • Creating opportunities for students to gain necessary skills, through voluntary events.
  • Addressing student needs through round table discussions, running programmes, while seeking to solve problems creatively.
FEES
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE
Yvonne Katsukunya
Chair
Nonhle-Avele Nhlapho
Vice-Chair
Tanya Meyer
Secretary
Casey Fredericks
Treasurer
Selaelo Debang
Additional Member
Abigail De Lange
Additional Member
Shazia Ismail Mia
Additional Member
Tarika Rajcoomar
Additional Member
NEWS AND UPDATES  FROM THE DIVISION

Watch the Student Division’s 2018 – 2019 year in review

Watch highlights from the Student Division’s 2018 – 2019 year!

Watch the Student Division's 2018 - 2019 year in review

Research Psychology: Consolidated University and Internship List

Research psychology is a specialised sub-discipline in Psychology which focuses on applied research across varying sectors. Masters degrees in research psychology can also serve as the basis for PhD studies and a career in academia. As a Masters in research psychology degree graduate, one has the opportunity to pursue professional registration with the HPCSA as a Research Psychologist. In order to follow this path, one has to complete one of the five accredited Masters programs in South Africa. Below are a list of the universities that currently offer accredited research programs:

Research Psychology: Consolidated University and Internship List

Launch of the Student Division’s Website!

The PsySSA Student Division (PsySSA SD) is proud to announce the launch of our website. Central to the mission of the PsySSA SD is to provide psychology students in South Africa with important information about psychology and to keep psychology students up-to-date and informed through resources such articles, podcasts, and webinars. We invite you to contact us as we are always available to you!

PsySSA Student Division Website

MEMBERS ONLY

International Volunteer Day: Solidarity Through Volunteering

PsySSA Commemorates International Volunteers Day 2022

“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.” - Marianne Williamson

Read our article, written by PsySSA Student Division Vice-chairperson, Ms Maryam Gangat!

Board Exam Preparation Workshop 2022

Recognising the importance of being adequately prepared for the board exam of the registration categories as the final phase of training. Three divisions at the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), the Division of Registered Counsellors and Psychometrists (RCP), Society for Educational Psychology South Africa (SEPSA), and South African Association of Counselling Psychologists (SAACP) are presenting a workshop on board exam preparation. The workshop will cover generally the Mental Health Care Act, the National Health Act more generally as it pertains to the three registration categories. The workshop will then cover category related issues that may appear in the board exam, including ethics, referrals, and cases.

Youth Day 2021: Courage is fire and bullying is smoke

Arising from bullying that caused the tragic end of 15-year-old Lufuno Mavhunga’s life and many other students who have fallen victim to the terrible plight of bullying in our schools, this article commemorates those who have succumbed to the unnecessary attacks on their self-esteem, their lives, and their well-being. This article also supports those who are still victims of bullying in our schools as well as those who have survived.

PsySSA Commemorates Disability Awareness Month. Listen to our podcast interview with Mr Fanie du Toit, Senior Specialist: Hearing impairment & deaf affairs at the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities.

PsySSA Commemorates Disability Awareness Month Listen to our podcast interview with Mr Fanie du Toit, Senior Specialist: Hearing impairment & deaf affairs at the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities. Interviewer: Ms Rivendri Govender - PsySSA...

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