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PsySSA Membership Update: Preparing for 2027
PsySSA Membership Update The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) wishes to inform members and prospective members that the 2026 membership cycle has officially closed. 2026 Membership Membership Closed The 2026 membership application cycle has concluded. 2027 Membership Opening Soon Preparations for the new membership year are underway. Our membership system is currently undergoing its annual review and update process as we prepare for the 2027 membership year.
Mental Health Is Also About the World We Live In
Mental health is often discussed as something that belongs to the individual. We talk about managing stress, developing resilience, recognising symptoms and seeking professional assistance when life becomes overwhelming. These conversations matter. Psychological interventions can help people understand their experiences, strengthen relationships, navigate adversity and develop meaningful ways of responding to life's challenges.
From the President’s Desk: Beyond Congress, the Conversations We Need to Continue
A few days have passed since we gathered in Johannesburg for the 30th Annual Psychology Congress of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA). The presentations have concluded, colleagues have returned home, and the work of putting together another Congress is finally behind us. Yet I find myself reflecting less on the event itself and more on what it revealed about our profession, the challenges we face, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Thank You for Attending the Annual Psychology Congress 2026
PsySSA | 30th Annual Psychology Congress For bringing your voice, your questions, your knowledge and your humanity to a remarkable three days of psychology. 30 TH ANNUAL PSYCHOLOGY CONGRESS 13–15 October 2026 Emperors Palace, Johannesburg A message to our delegates What made these three days meaningful was you. As the 30th Annual PsySSA Psychology Congress draws to a close, we want to extend our sincere appreciation to every delegate who joined us in Johannesburg.
3 DAYS TO GO! WE’RE ALMOST THERE!
PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress We're almost there. The excitement is building. The countdown is nearly over. PsySSA Congress 2026 is almost here. Dates 13–15 October 2026 Venue Emperors Palace, Johannesburg In just 3 days, the psychology community comes together for the PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress! Congress Theme Psychology in Transition: Humanity, Technology, and the Future of Care Get ready for three incredible days of learning, conversations, connection and community.
AI Live: Humanity, Technology & the Future of Care
PsySSA Congress 2026 · Plenary Session Psychology has never developed in isolation. As the world has changed, the profession has repeatedly had to reconsider how it understands people, how it practises, and how it responds to new realities. Time: 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM Format: Plenary Presented by: Dr Ewald Crause PsySSA Congress 2026 War. Social change. Mass communication. Computers. The internet. Smartphones. COVID-19. Each has changed something about human experience.
Beyond Awareness: The Real Challenge of Mental Health Care in South Africa
Psychological assessment Psychometric assessment and measurement Counselling and psychological intervention Screening and early identification Referral and care navigation Prevention and mental-health promotion Consultation and multidisciplinary care Training and supervision Programme development Quality and outcome evaluation These functions are distributed differently across professional categories.
Beyond Awareness: The Real Challenge of Mental Health Care in South Africa
PROFESSIONAL REFLECTION What do you think will have the greatest impact on improving mental-health service delivery in South Africa? Choose the area you believe should receive the greatest priority. After answering, see how your choice connects with the evidence explored in this article. 01 Community & primary mental-health care Better access to appropriate mental-health support closer to where people live, learn and work.
Beyond the Green Ribbon: Mental Health Month 2026
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH 2026 A green ribbon can start a conversation. It cannot carry the work. Mental Health Month asks us to look beyond awareness and consider how we respond to distress, how we build systems of care, and how we sustain the people who do this work every day. Each October, mental health becomes more visible. Green appears across campaigns, workplaces, schools, social media feeds and public spaces.
HPCSA Practitioner Update: Important Information for Psychology Practitioners
PsySSA encourages psychology practitioners to review the latest information and ensure that they remain up to date with requirements and developments relevant to professional practice. At a glance 1 Review HPCSA guidance on unprofessional conduct and what happens when a complaint is lodged. 2 Confirm that your 2026/27 annual fees have been paid and that your registration status is compliant. 3 Check your personal and professional information, particularly your personal email address.
Psychologists to confront GBVF at national congress
The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) is outraged at the killings of women in Ekurhuleni. Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cannot continue unabated. As we make sense of our collective grief, trauma and fear, we must utilise available research to help end GBVF. As the country's largest body of psychology professionals, PsySSA will be meeting in Ekurhuleni for its 30th Annual South African Psychology Congress from 13-15 October 2026.
World Alzheimer’s Day 2026
PsySSA commemorates World Alzheimer’s Day, recognising the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia on individuals, families, caregivers, and communities. Dementia affects memory, thinking, behaviour, and everyday functioning and requires coordinated medical, psychological, and social support. This year’s theme highlights the importance of early and accurate diagnosis.
Congress CPD Accreditation Announcement
Continuing Professional Development Congress CPD Accreditation Confirmed Continuing Professional Development accreditation has been confirmed for the PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress 2026. 2026 Congress Theme: Psychology in Transition: Humanity, Technology, and the Future of Care.
Download the 2026 Congress App
PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress Your Congress experience is now at your fingertips. Explore the programme, plan your journey and connect with the PsySSA Congress community before you arrive. ● Official Congress App Now Live Your Congress journey starts now. We are excited to announce that the PsySSA Congress 2026 App is officially live.
30 DAYS TO GO!
PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress The final countdown has begun In just 30 days, the psychology community comes together for the PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress. Congress 2026 Emperors Palace Johannesburg, South Africa Three days of ideas, dialogue, learning and connection as psychology considers what comes next. A milestone Congress Psychology is in transition. Congress is where the conversation comes together.
PsySSA Commemorates National ADHD Day
14 September · National ADHD Day PsySSA commemorates National ADHD Day by raising awareness, challenging stigma, and promoting greater understanding of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Understanding ADHD ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, impulse control and executive functioning across the lifespan. Greater understanding and appropriate support can make a meaningful difference in learning, work, relationships and everyday life.
PsySSA Commemorates World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 10 September 2026 Theme: Changing the Narrative on Suicide Call to Action: Start the Conversation PsySSA commemorates World Suicide Prevention Day, joining efforts to challenge stigma, encourage dialogue and strengthen suicide prevention. The theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” calls on us to reconsider how we speak about and respond to suicide. Stigma, silence and misinformation can prevent people from seeking support.
50 Days to Go: The Countdown to Congress Is On!
PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress 2026 We are officially 50 days away from the PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress 2026. 50 Days to go Congress Theme Psychology in Transition: Humanity, Technology, and the Future of Care From 13–15 October 2026, the psychology community will come together at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, for three days of learning, connection and conversation.
The Countdown to Congress Is On!
PSYSSA 30TH ANNUAL PSYCHOLOGY CONGRESS Psychology in Transition Humanity • Technology • The Future of Care : : : 13–15 October 2026 • Emperors Palace, Johannesburg PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress 2026 We are officially 50 days away from the PsySSA 30th Annual Psychology Congress 2026.
Only 60 Places Remain for the Psychology Playground
Taking place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 18h45 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, the Psychology Playground has been designed as more than a traditional Congress social event. It is an immersive experience that celebrates creativity, connection and community.
Less than 20 Places Remain for the Psychology Playground
Taking place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 18h45 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, the Psychology Playground has been designed as more than a traditional Congress social event. It is an immersive experience that celebrates creativity, connection and community.
PsySSA Commemorates World Humanitarian Day
19m August 2026 The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) joins the global community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day under the 2026 theme, “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.” This day highlights the importance of collective action, compassion, and support for people affected by crisis and adversity. At PsySSA, we recognise that humanitarian action extends beyond immediate relief.
Annual Award Nominations 2026
The PsySSA Awards Standing Committee is thrilled to announce the opening of nominations for this year’s Annual PsySSA Awards! These awards are an opportunity to celebrate and recognize our colleagues who have made significant contributions to the field of psychology. This year’s awards include: The Awarding of a Fellowship: The award is a lifetime achievement award in recognition of a person that has dedicated his/her life to Psychology in South Africa.
2026 Annual Psychology Congress Draft Programme Available
Scientific Programme Overview The conversations shaping the future of psychology begin here. The 30th Annual Congress of the Psychological Society of South Africa brings together three days of research, practice, dialogue and innovation under the theme: Psychology in Transition: Humanity, Technology, and the Future of Care.
Nominations for PsySSA Executive Committee Vacancies 2026-2028
The PsySSA Nominations Committee invites nominations for positions on the PsySSA Executive Committee that will become vacant at the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held virtually on Zoom on Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 18:00. Serving on the Executive Committee provides an opportunity to contribute to the governance and strategic direction of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) and to support the continued advancement of psychology in South Africa.
Statement on the Planned Nationwide Anti-Immigration Protests
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Psychologist Vacancy | Akeso George Clinic (COPE)
Akeso George Clinic is seeking to appoint a Psychologist on either a part-time or full-time basis within its Centre of Psychotherapy Excellence (COPE) programme. The successful candidate will form part of a multidisciplinary mental health team, providing therapeutic services to both in-patient and out-patient populations.
Podcast: Spotify and Beyond
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Beyond the Results: Navigating Life After Matric
If your matric results were not what you were hoping for, it is understandable if this moment feels confusing, disappointing, or overwhelming. But it may help to think of your career journey like a GPS navigation system. If you miss a specific turn, the GPS does not say the journey is over! It simply says “recalculating” and finds alternative routes. Some routes may take longer or look different, but they can still lead you where you want to go.
PsySSA Office Closed for the Festive Season
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Call for Abstracts: 30th Annual South African Psychology Congress 2026
PsySSA invites practitioners, researchers, educators, students, and policymakers to submit abstracts for the 2026 Annual Psychology Congress, taking place from 13 to 15 October 2026 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. The theme, “Psychology in Transition: Humanity, Technology, and the Future of Care,” speaks to a profession navigating inequality, trauma exposure, digital transformation, shifting expectations of care, and the growing influence of AI on human behaviour and service delivery.
Community activism shines at KZN mental health walk
Suntosh R. Pillay In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, over 1600 people showed up for the 10th annual mental health walk hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Mental Health Advocacy Group on 5 October 2025. The event began in 2016 as a small community engagement project that I started with my colleague, Prof Suvira Ramlall, during our time working at a public hospital. We wanted to build social capital and a spirit of social activism into the mental health landscape in Durban.
G20 Women’s Shutdown
PsySSA stands in solidarity with Women for Change and supports the upcoming National Women’s Shutdown. We affirm the call to end gender-based violence and femicide, and we recognise the profound psychological, social and economic impact this crisis has on communities across South Africa. As a society committed to human rights, dignity and social justice, we support peaceful collective action that highlights the value of women’s labour, voices and leadership.
PsySSA 2026 Membership Registrations & Renewals Now Open
Stay Connected. Stay Involved. Stay Informed. By joining or renewing your membership, you align yourself with a national community committed to excellence, transformation, and the advancement of psychological science and practice. Membership provides access to core resources, professional networks, and sector developments already shaping the year ahead. What Your Membership Gives You 1.
PsySSA Leadership 2025-2027
The elections are complete. The PsySSA Executive Committee and the Divisional Excos for the new term have now been elected. These are the colleagues who will carry the voice of psychology into policy debates, professional standards, training, and public advocacy for the next two years. Why this matters: Divisions drive the agenda in their fields… from clinical to community, from research to ethics, from AI to child psychology.
Health Psychology Division Networking Database
The Health Psychology Division has developed a networking database of practitioners and researchers working across health psychology and related fields. The database includes colleagues from universities, health professions, and independent practice who have consented to share their details for professional collaboration.
Word Trauma Day - A call to highlight Psychological First Aid following trauma
World Trauma Day, commemorated on 17 October, seeks to emphasise the importance of creating contexts in which people can recover and thrive following an incident of trauma (South African Government, 2025). Traumatic events or ‘Big T’ traumas are incidents which leave individuals vulnerable to negative psychological effects and trauma-based diagnoses (Gilmoor et al., 2019).
World Mental Health Awareness Month 2025: Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies
This month, PsySSA highlights an important truth: mental health matters in every emergency. Across South Africa and the African continent, crises such as floods, droughts, community violence, and public health emergencies affect millions. The psychological impact is often invisible but lasting, for both survivors and the first responders.
PsyCast: From the President’s Desk - Episode 3
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CHR & PsySSA Head to the Constitutional Court as Amici Curiae in Landmark Case on Consent
On 25 September 2025, the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria (CHR), and the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) will appear before the Constitutional Court of South Africa as amici curiae in the matter of The Embrace Project NPC and Others v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Others (CCT314/24) and Centre for Applied Legal Studies and Others v The Embrace Project NPC and Others (CCT315/24).
World Alzheimer’s Day 2025: ”When memories fade, let love take over.”
Memories enable us to relive the past and preserve special moments that play a defining role in who we are. Every year we commemorate those who live with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The world honors World Alzheimer’s Day.
World Alzheimer’s Day 2025: Ask About Dementia
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Your Congress Companion: Download the PsySSA 2025 Mobile App Today
The official mobile app for the PsySSA Annual Psychology Congress 2025 is now available for download. This is your gateway to the full Congress experience. Please note: No printed Congress programmes will be provided at the venue. The mobile app will serve as your primary programme and navigation tool. Should you prefer a hard copy, you may download the programme here and print it at your workplace or home. Why use the app?
BEYOND THE SEA OF YELLOW: UNDERSTANDING ADHD FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
On a warm afternoon in Lehurutshe, Zeerust, a young boy named Thabo sat under a marula tree, rhythmically tapping a stick against the soil. At the same time, his teacher grew increasingly frustrated at his “restlessness.” Thabo’s inability to “sit still” or follow long instructions was quickly labelled as defiance, poor discipline, or even laziness by many around him. Yet, what Thabo was living with was not a character flaw; it was Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
World Suicide Prevention Day - You’re not alone
The 10th of September 2025 marks World Suicide Prevention Day. This year the theme focuses on, “Changing the narrative on suicide.” What this means is the transformation from silence, stigma and misunderstandings, into openness, grounded in both empathy and support. As such moving from isolation to connection, and from crisis to prevention. Suicidal behaviour exists along a spectrum. From passive thoughts of death to active planning, non-fatal suicide attempts, and, tragically, completed suicide.
75 Days to Go - Annual Psychology Congress
75 days to Congress. Be part of the conversation. In clinics, classrooms, hospitals, homes, courtrooms and communities, psychologists and mental health practitioners continue to carry the work. Some of us are early in our journey. Others have spent decades holding stories, systems, and spaces. We work in private practice, public service, universities, NGOs, schools and beyond. This year’s Congress is a moment to pause. To come together.
Final Annual Psychology Congress Programme Available Now!
Final Congress Programme Now Available The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) invites delegates to view the final programme for the 2025 Annual South African Psychology Congress, themed “Psychology in Society and Society in Psychology.” The programme reflects the diversity and depth of presentations submitted in response to this year’s call, which highlighted psychology’s relevance in addressing social challenges and strengthening mental health in our communities.
PsySSA Congratulates Prof Brett Bowman!
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PsySSA CPD Workshop Series 2025 - Register Now for the Next Workshop!
Abstract Therapy-interfering behaviours (TIB) can derail progress, leaving both clients and clinicians feeling frustrated and stuck. These behaviours—such as avoidance, disengagement, excessive venting, resistance, and session cancellations—often function as self-protective strategies but ultimately hinder treatment outcomes. This session will equip mental health professionals with evidence-based DBT strategies to identify, address, and transform TIB into meaningful therapeutic engagement.
Call for Submissions - African Journal of Psychological Assessment (AJOPA)
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