Come and find your flock

Julian McNally, 2025 ANZACBS Immediate Past President

I think many of us are feeling this way. The world seems... what? Less kind? More chaotic? More lonely? More out of control, perhaps? In mental health, we see more people, especially younger individuals, expressing these feelings. They share their thoughts not just with their professionals but also with researchers, teachers, and parents. At the same time, many older people, who may have had a more privileged upbringing, feel less safe, less understanding of young people, and sometimes more excluded and lonely.

The Impact of Withdrawal

During tough times like these, it's normal for people to want to pull back from the world. This can feel like a way to find safety and regain some control.

Older generations might choose to stay home and watch movies online instead of going out to the cinema.
Younger people often spend more time connecting through screens rather than meeting friends in person.

Research shows that this is not good for anyone's mental health. It can also hurt community well-being. When I talk with my clients about what they value most or what brings them joy, it often relates to their connections with others. Humans are social beings. We thrive on connecting with people. We find joy, fun, and a sense of accomplishment when we work together to create something meaningful.

The Need for Connection

Everyone, including us introverts, needs some alone time now and then. It helps us recharge and reset our minds from the world’s demands and the pressure of socialising. But what truly makes us human is our connections with others. Our sense of self begins in childhood through our relationships with caregivers and those around us. You give me "I."

I hope for my clients to have a part of their lives—be it work, family, sports, or cultural activities—where they can connect with others who see and appreciate them. They need a space where their existence and efforts are valued. A place where people support and encourage each other through life's challenges.

We're in the same boat as our clients

We mental health workers and behavioural scientists need this connected space too. After all, we are people as well. Luckily, we have that chance.

One place I’ve found this opportunity is in the ACBS, especially its online community for professionals, the ACBS listserv. I've been part of this community for 20 years now. Recently, however, I was saddened by two discussions I noticed:

A long-time member decided to leave because they felt the association hadn't acted in a way that was consistent with their values.
A participant from outside the US mentioned they were hesitant to travel to the USA for this year's world conference in New Orleans due to the way their country had been treated by the current US administration.

Though I haven’t spoken to them, I feel I understand their choices. For me, the strength of this Association lies in its efforts to make room for everyone interested in contextual behavioural science.

Building a More Inclusive Community

In my own small ways, I’ve tried to help make the Association more welcoming and less like a place that promotes division, ego, and the pursuit of power and status. I believe that ACBS can become a model for how organisations can embrace conflict, differences, diversity, and aspirations in a way that benefits everyone.

No one excluded. Everyone welcome. Indeed, essential. And achieving such a big goal, in a self-reflexive paradox, needs everyone. Which brings us to you.

Join Us

If you haven’t attended one of our Conferences before, I warmly invite you to:

Join us at our local ANZ Chapter Conference in Melbourne this October. Or if you have the means and time, why not attend our World Conference in New Orleans this July or July 2026 in Lyon, France.

If you do, as well as learning useful skills for your everyday work, you'll meet people who are clever, funny, warm and dedicated like you to making the world a happier place. We look forward to welcoming you to join this flock.