ABOUT US

Psychologists Collective is an association of practising psychologists in the state of Maharashtra. The need to form this association was felt as a response to the introduction of National Commission of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill (NCAHPB), 2020 in Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament in September 2020. The bill aims to bring an integrated regulatory Act which shall inter-alia include maintenance of standards of education and services given by the Allied and Healthcare Professionals. Psychology has been included under the heading of Behavioural health Science Professionals which is misleading, ambiguous and could have serious ramifications on mental well-being of public.

Psychologists Collective aims to bring to the attention of policy makers, other professionals, and immediate beneficiaries of mental health services; the fact that our professional identity is at risk of being misused and we need to protect the title of Psychologist. Following are the broad aims and objectives of Psychologists Collective:

Our efforts till now…

  • May 2020 – 8 like minded professionals came together and voiced their concerns and started having discussions about what can we do
  • September 2020 – we sought legal advise and started studying the laws governing psychologists
  • Need for association formation was felt to strengthen our voice and gathered 150+ members in the PIL support group
  • Engaged in a cross party approach and met MP’s of Rajya Sabha, for requesting their support and placing our demands in front of the parliamentary board committee before passing of the NCAHPC Act.
  • Registered our association in order to bring all Psychologists together under a single banner, to promote the specific objectives of our association.
  • Sent written representation to RCI about objections to the proposed amendments to RCI Act
  • Sent written representation to RCI about objections to inclusion of Psychology in the proposed University bill.
  • We filed six RTIs directing to RCI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Insurance Regulation and Development Authority (IRDA), Department of Empowerment of person’s with disabilities.
  • A legal notice was sent to RCI from our lawyer, pointing out the various grievances that we have, for e.g. absence of retrospective effect of section 2(g)of MHA

Further Objectives

  • During the MSMHA (Maharashtra State Mental Health Authority) sub committee meeting, there was zero representation of Psychologists. We would like to demand our inclusion in this sub-committee.
  • The Mental Health Review Board (MHRB) at the State level, also did not advertise for the position of Psychologist although there is provision for the same. We need to demand our inclusion in the MHRB also.
  • Inclusion of Psychologists in framing of mental health insurance and policies in the country.
  • To play a vital role in the formation of council, defining the code of ethics and standards of proficiency.
  • To engage or partner with service user policies and development programs.
  • To support setting up of community mental health services

ACHIEVEMENTS

A glimpse of our efforts…..

 

  • Gathered over 150+ members who have been supporting Psychologists Collective in their objectives
  • Engaged a Supreme court lawyer. The PIL is in the process of drafting.
  • Sent written representation to RCI about objections to the proposed amendments to RCI Act
  • Sent written representation to RCI about objections to inclusion of Psychology in the proposed University bill.
  • Engaged in a cross party approach and met MP’s of Rajya Sabha, for requesting their support and placing our demands in front of the parliamentary board committee before passing of the NCAHPC Act.
  • Registered our association in order to bring all Psychologists together under a single banner, to promote the specific objectives of our association.