Indigenous Psychological Services

This is the first culturally and scientifically validated psychological test that has been developed specifically for use with Aboriginal Australians. The WASC-Y was developed as a part of Dr Westerman PhD which received the Chancellors Commendation for the top 5% of PhD's submitted The WASC-Y is a self-report measure useful for identifying young Aboriginal people who are at risk of anxiety, depression and suicidal behaviours. The instrument can only be purchased after the person has completed training with IPS.

Dr Tracy Westerman developed this instrument for use with Aboriginal Australians because the more commonly used tests or psychological instruments are simply adaptations of existing mainstream tests. The process of adapting these instruments can bring about problems and biases. This instrument is a culturally validated measure that identifies young Aboriginal people at risk of depression, suicidal behaviours, drug and alcohol use, impulsivity, anxiety and cultural resilience.

There are two options for obtaining the WASC-Y, however, it can only be purchased on completion of the required training with IPS. The options for purchase of the WASC-Y are:

Purchase of the WASC-Y Test Package (Start-up package)
Cost:  $880 AUD (including GST) plus postage.
This includes - The WASC-Y Manual, 30 copies of the WASC-Y test, 10 reply paid envelopes and a hold all satchel.
See below for a more comprehensive details of the contents.

The WASC-Y Refill Pack.
Cost:  $276 AUD (including GST) plus postage
This includes 30 copies of the WASC-Y Test.
The Refill Pack can only be ordered after the purchase of the 'start-up' package.

Click here to download the WASC-Y order form

Contents of the WASC-Y Test Package

The WASC-Y 'start-up' package includes a comprehensive manual, which covers literature associated with culture-bound syndromes, hierarchy of treatments and problem resolution in Aboriginal communities, as well as cultural validation. In addition, the manual includes scoring information relevant to each of the domains of depression, suicidal behaviours, drug and alcohol use, impulsivity, anxiety and cultural resilience. Finally, you will also receive a set of "Clinician Guidelines" which includes culturally appropriate counselling methodologies and questions that enable you to ensure that you provide the most culturally valid assessment of Aboriginal youth screened using the WASC-Y. All of this information will also have been covered in the training on "Mental Health & Psychological Assessment of At Risk Aboriginal Clients" that you must have attended, before you can order the WASC-Y.

Once you have a start up pack, you can then continue to order copies of the WASC-Y, which currently come in packs of 30. It should be noted that only those people who have undergone accreditation in the WASC-Y are able to administer it. Therefore access should be provided only those people who have attended the training.

IPS hopes that you will find the packs and associated guidelines of significant benefit in your ongoing work with Aboriginal youth.

To order the package please download the order form and:

Fax it to us:  (08) 9362 5546
or post to:
PO Box 1198
East Victoria Park WA 6981