The Association of Psychology Newfoundland and Labrador is raising the alarm about a “significant exodus” of psychologists working in the province’s health sector leading to a “psychology crisis.”

There are currently 211 registered psychologists working in the education, health, and post-secondary systems, with many areas experiencing vacancies of 30 to 50 per cent.

Long wait times in the public sector have placed an “unprecedented demand” on the services of private psychologists adding to wait lists, even for those who have the financial ability or insurance to pay for the service.

PANL says there have been no private psychologists able to take on new child clients in the St. John’s region since the fall as rates of childhood anxiety, depression, eating disorders and school avoidance are reaching all-time highs.

APNL President Dr. Janine Hubbard warns that the province is experiencing a psychology crisis, and that patients are on the verge of being unable to access a psychologist in the public system.