applied-psychology

‘Making a difference for kids like me’: Tidus’ journey from disadvantage to higher education

By Penny Burfitt Public Relations & Content Manager
young man with blonde dyed hair in tie smiles at camera
Tidus Artorius has a career to be proud of.  He is a graduate of ACAP University College’s Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling, a student in the Master of Clinical Psychology and a psychology lecturer at ACAP Sydneybut as a child higher education was never something that crossed his mind. 

“Growing up, I lived in an environment surrounded by a lot of neglect and violence in housing commission in Villawood (in Sydney’s Western Suburbs),” he said. 

“There were many disadvantages in my life, and mental health was highly stigmatised, it wasn’t something that people discussed or were even aware of.” 

It wasn’t until he grew up that Tidus came to terms with some of the hardship he faced as a child and decided to make a change. 

“If myself or the people I grew up with had the proper support our circumstances might have been different,” he said. 

“Wanting to help people like me, who often feel invisible in the mental health space, led me to studying at ACAP.” 

But Tidus was uncertain about enrolling at university, which felt like a different world. 

“I was the first in my family to attend university; higher education wasn’t encouraged and finding my way wasn’t straightforward. I was drawn to ACAP because it felt different to bigger universities —I felt at home there. The one-on-one attention from teachers, supervisors and the care with which ACAP guided me through the different pathways were irreplaceable parts of my journey. At ACAP I really feel like I belong and have thrived.”

Tidus went on to complete his undergraduate in psychological science and counselling and is now doing research as part of his masters as well as teaching. 

He has also worked in clinical practice, supporting other young people to overcome obstacles. 

“The counselling side of the degree and doing placement in the ACAP clinic where I interacted with clients from all backgrounds allowed me to gain a lot of work and real-life experience, and the psychology part of the degree allowed me to further my understanding and knowledge about human behaviours, emotions, and the science of it,” he said. 

“ACAP has supported me to pursue my dream of helping people from diverse backgrounds seek mental health services, and to conduct research that makes psychology more inclusive for other aspiring scientists or practitioners in the future.” 

group of students at a table

He said he knows that he will one day help make things better for children growing up in circumstances similar to his own. 

“Coming from my turbulent childhood, I know I can do a lot of good with my qualifications from ACAP,” he said. 

“People from areas like Villawood are sometimes a forgotten population, people don’t hear about us unless it’s a story about crime on the news. But when you’re from inside that community you have a different understanding of people and the support they need. 

“I feel like with ACAP’s help, I’m really making a difference for a little kid like me growing up in an unstable or a violent home, and that’s a really powerful thing.” 

Interested in studying psychology at ACAP University College? Find out more here: ACAP Psychology Courses | More than a qualification

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