Psych Matters

In this episode, Associate Professor John Allan and Dr Rory Hutchinson interview recent recipients of RANZCP Foundation grants and scholarships, discussing their research projects, what inspired them to pursue psychiatric research, and the challenges and rewards of their work. Associate Professor Nicola Warren, Chair of the Committee for Research, also joins the conversation to explore what makes a successful grant, the importance of teamwork in research and the power of infectious curiosity! The RANZCP Foundation is the College charity and funds clinical research in psychiatry. Discover more: https://www.ranzcp.org/grants-awards-giving/ranzcp-foundation/about-the-foundation.Dr Sean Halstead is a trainee and is studying at the University of Queensland. He was awarded the inaugural Foundation Partners PhD scholarship for his research into the health burden of multiple chronic physical conditions in people living with severe mental illness. Dr Jacqueline Huber is a Senior Staff Specialist Psychiatrist at St Vincent's Hospital and is studying at the University of Sydney. She was awarded the 2024 Trisno Family PhD scholarship and for her research: Psychiatric Emergency Care Centres: what are they good for? Dr Yoon Kwon Choi is a trainee at the Queensland Centre of Excellence for Autism and Intellectual Disability at Mater Hospital. In 2024, he was awarded a Beverley Raphael New Investigator Grant for his research into the barriers faced by Korean-speaking people in Australia with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder in accessing healthcare. Dr Malcolm Forbes is a consultant psychiatrist and psychogeriatrician at Barwon Health. In 2022, he was awarded the Trisno Family PhD Scholarship for his research into the biological factors associated with depression in older Australians, with the aim of improving diagnosis and identifying new treatments. Associate Professor Nicola Warren is a neuropsychiatrist, Queensland Director of Psychiatry Training, and the Mental Health Course Coordinator at the University of Queensland. She was the recipient of the RANZCP Early Career Psychiatrist Award in 2019 and is the Chair of the RANZCP Committee for Research. RANZCP-Foundation-2024-Impact-Report.pdfTopic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This series is dedicated to honouring the pioneering women who have shaped the history of RANZCP as past presidents. Out of the 55 individuals who have held this esteemed position, only nine have been women — and with a female president currently at the helm, we reflect on the legacy of their trailblazing contributions. Each episode delves into the personal stories, challenges and triumphs of these pioneers, offering valuable inspiration and insights for the next generation of women in psychiatry as we continue working towards great gender equity.  In this episode Dr Padmini Howpage interviews Dr Janice Wilson, the fifth female president of the College, to discuss her remarkable journey in mental health leadership. They delve into Dr Wilson's advocacy for equity and inclusion and the challenges she faced as a women in a traditionally male-dominated field. The conversation also explores the evolution of mental health care, the importance of community-based services, and the future of e-mental health and artificial intelligence in psychiatry.Dr Janice Wilson served as the president of the RANZCP from 1997 to 1999. With extensive experience in both clinical practice and leadership, she retired in 2023 after a twelve-year tenure as the inaugural Chief Executive of Te Tāhū Hauroa Health Quality and Safety Commission. Prior to this, Dr Wilson worked at Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) starting in 1993, holding senior roles in mental health and population health. As Director of Mental Health, she led national policy reforms aimed at reshaping the organisation and delivery of mental health and addiction services in New Zealand. In addition to her leadership roles, Dr Wilson is passionate about improving mental health systems and continues to contribute through her work as a director on three NGO boards. She now enjoys life in Wellington with her family and cat, where she balances her ongoing professional interests with family activities and the challenges of being an active gardener in a city known for its wonderful climate variations. Dr Padmini Howpage is the Clinical Director at Mind Connections Specialist Health Services, a Sydney-based private practice. She is also the author of two books – Mindful Coco and 7 Magic Minutes for Today – championing mindfulness across generations. A dedicated mentor and community leader, Dr Howpage chairs two charities – the Mind Connections Foundation and the Women's Shed – Hills Shire. She founded an annual suicide prevention award for second-year medical students at Western Sydney University. Since 2016, over 700 students have participated, integrating mental health awareness into the curriculum. Her contributions earned Western Sydney University's Woman of the West (2019) and multiple Hills Shire Citizen of the Year finalist nominations (2020, 2022, and 2024).Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This episode focuses on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, exploring the inquiry's process, key challenges and the recommendations aimed at addressing the systemic issues contributing to veteran suicides. Dr Andrew Khoo and Dr Jon Lane interview Dr Peggy Brown AO, one of the Commissioners, who shares insights into the inquiry process, including the challenges of political navigation, the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement and the complexities of veteran health. The discussion also examines the issues uncovered by the Commission, the significance of the interim report and the challenges in data collection. It also highlights the need for a robust veteran services commission to ensure ongoing advocacy and support for those who have served. Dr Andrew Khoo is the Director of Medical Services at Toowong Private Hospital and is the Deputy Chair of the College's Military, Veterans' and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network. He is also the Chair of the Open Arms National Advisory Committee and a member of the DVA Mental Health Expert Advisory Group. A/Prof Jon Lane, FRANZCP, MBBS (Hons), PhD, has been in the Army since 1989 and is also an Afghanistan veteran. He is a clinician in private practice, as well as holding several different roles. These include being the inaugural Chief Psychiatrist for the DVA; the Psychiatry Lead for the University of Tasmania School of Medicine; and has adjunct appointments and research projects with the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation. He is also the current Chair of the College's Military, Veterans' and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network. Dr Peggy Brown AO is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Medilinks and holds several other key leadership positions. These include Chair of Mental Health Australia, Board Director at Wellways Australia, Chair of the RANZCP Community Collaboration Committee, Member of the Clinical Governance Advisory Committee for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, and Patron of the BPD Foundation. She has also served as a Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Senior Clinical Advisor at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, and Chief Executive Officer of the National Mental Health Commission. She has also held the positions of Director-General of ACT Health and Chief Psychiatrist/Director of Mental Health in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. She is also an NHS International Fellow in the United Kingdom. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode of Psych Matters, Dr Daniel Brass interviews psychiatrists in public and private practice, psychiatry trainees, GPs and other doctors about their experience of participating in and leading Balint groups and the value of this aspect of healthcare, which is increasingly recognised as vital for maintaining the wellbeing of the healthcare professions and improving patient care. Dr Daniel Brass is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Melbourne. He is the current president of the Balint Society of Australia and New Zealand (BalintANZ). Balint Society of Australia & New Zealand Participants:Dr Osama Ali Dr Lachlan Angus Dr Alida Connell Dr Laura Harnish Dr Jenny Hellsing Dr Rachel (Ray) Lau Dr Lillian NgDr Marion Lustig Dr Ishan Walpola Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, our speakers discuss the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment for conditions such as depression and PTSD. This podcast is intended for individuals considering whether this approach could be helpful in treating their diagnosed psychiatric conditions. The conversation covers the role of psychotherapy in these treatments, the importance of ongoing research and the potential risks and contraindications involved. The discussion also explores how psychedelic agents uniquely impact brain function, contrasting this with standard treatments. Prof Mal Hopwood is the Ramsay Health Care Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and the Director of the Professorial Psychiatry Unit at the Ramsay Clinic Albert Road (RCAR). A former President of the RANZCP, he is a dedicated researcher and clinician specialising in mood disorders and PTSD. He leads an active clinical trials group at RCAR, including in the area of psychedelic treatment.Dr Nigel Strauss has been a psychiatrist for 45 years and is currently a consultant at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, as well as a psychedelic researcher at Swinburne University. He is a trained psychedelic psychotherapist and has written extensively on psychedelic medicine and psychology. He is currently sponsoring a trial on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy at Monash University.Dr Diana Korevaar is a psychiatrist with experience in private practice, where she integrates trauma-based methods with routine psychiatric care. Over the past five years, she has been actively involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy research trials across a wide variety of psychiatric conditions.Prof Colleen Loo is a psychiatrist, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Fellow, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute in Sydney. She is a clinical and research expert in electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and ketamine. She is now also researching psychedelic-assisted therapy.Prof David Castle; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Tasmania; and Co-Director, Tasmanian Centre for Mental Health Service Innovation. He has wide clinical and research interests and has published widely. He has a current particular interest in psychedelic assisted therapy.References and Resources:Professor Richard J Davidson on the neuroplasticity of emotional wellbeingWhite Paper on the science of awe, which describes the impact of training in competencies which overlap with psychedelic mystical experienceCompassion Focused therapy in psychedelic assisted thTopic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Tina Rizkallah discusses the complexities of women's mental health care with Dr Karen Williams and Dr Rajlaxmi Khopade. They explore the systemic barriers and unique challenges that women face, emphasising  the importance of gender-specific and trauma-informed care. The conversation also highlights the need for dedicated services that address the specific mental health needs of women, particularly those who have experienced trauma, family violence, and other systemic issues. They advocate for better training, stronger community support and greater collaboration among mental health professionals to improve outcomes for women. Dr Karen Williams is a consultant psychiatrist who specialises in PTSD and other trauma syndromes, particularly those caused by sexual abuse and domestic violence. In 2022, she founded Ramsay Clinic Thirroul, Australia's first women-only, trauma-specific mental health service. She is now developing and directing Australia's first publicly funded trauma recovery service.  Dr Williams is a member of the RANZCP's Family Violence Psychiatry Network committee and is the Special Advisor on Mental Health at the Illawarra Women's Health Centre. She is also the founder of the charity Doctors Against Violence Towards Women, an advocacy group aimed at promoting the mental and physical safety of women who are survivors of family violence and sexual assault.  Dr Rajlaxmi Khopade (Raj) is a consultant psychiatrist based in Shepparton and working full time at Goulburn Valley Health, a regional public health service in Victoria. She completed her basic psychiatry training and Advanced Training in Psychiatry of Old Age and became a Fellow of the RANZCP in 2022. Raj has been actively involved with the Women's Recovery Network (WREN) since its inception and continues to contribute to WREN in Shepparton. She also works with the community mental health team for older adults.  With a passion for women's mental health, she is dedicated to advancing its management within the public mental health sector. Dr Tina Rizkallah is an early career psychiatrist working in the areas of eating disorders and forensic psychiatry. She has a particular interest in exploring women's experiences and their intersection with mental disorders, focusing on issues such as body image, coercive control, and domestic and family violence.  A passionate advocate for gender equality, she currently serves as the chair of the Women's Psychiatry Network. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Rob Kaplan delves into the extraordinary yet often overlooked life of Mary Barkas, a pioneering New Zealand psychiatrist who defied societal norms and gender barriers in the early 20th century. She became the first female doctor at the historic Bethlem Hospital and one of the four medical officers appointed at the opening of the Maudsley Hospital.Despite her groundbreaking achievements Barkas faced immense challenges, from entrenched prejudice in her professional field to personal disillusionment. Dr Kaplan examines her profound contributions to psychiatry, her struggles with the limitations placed on women in medicine and the mysterious turn her life took when she returned to New Zealand, never to practice again. Dr Robert M. Kaplan, MBChB FRANZCP MA MPhil, is a forensic psychiatrist, lecturer and speaker with positions at the University of New South Wales, Western Sydney University and Wollongong University. His fields of expertise are sleep and pain disorders, neuropsychiatry and psychological aspects of physical disorders. He also holds the distinguished position of Chair of the Binational Section of Philosophy and Humanities at RANZCP.  Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In the second episode of this two-part podcast, Dr Enys Delmage and Dr James Gardiner continue their exploration of the importance of effective, proactive multi-agency collaboration in adolescent forensic mental health settings. They speak to Graeme Penty, Lindsay Yeo, and Kingi Snelgar, who share their experiences working with young people across diverse environments and discuss best practices for providing effective support. This series introduces key topics that will be explored in greater detail at the upcoming RANZCP Section of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry Conference held in March 2025, Wellington. This podcast will be valuable for professionals working in adolescent forensic settings or those involved with children in the justice system.   Graeme Penty works with young people at Nga Taiohi National Youth Forensic Unit. He trained as a primary school teacher at Otago University and Dunedin College of Education, graduating in 1995 and registered in 1997. Graeme has taught in a wide range of schools since then and specialised in year 7 and 8 until starting work in 2017 with Health school. Graeme is passionate about re-engaging Rangitahi back into education, who may have been out of this for some time and helping with transition, information and feedback for Clinical teams and contributing to an overall outcome. Lindsay Yeo is an educational psychologist currently serving on the leadership team at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Facility in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Drawing on his experience working in the Severe Behaviour Service at the Ministry of Education, Lindsay brings expertise in providing consultation, training, leadership and supervision to staff at the facility, which accommodates up to 40 young people aged 14 to 18 with complex needs, including high levels of offending. Lindsay is also involved in the collaborative development and implementation of services within the youth justice sector. He is committed to enhancing the quality of assessment and intervention for this high-needs group of rangatahi.  Kingi Snelgar is a criminal defence lawyer, youth advocate and academic based in Auckland, New Zealand. With 12 years of experience in the legal profession, he is a graduate of Harvard Law and a Fulbright scholar. Kingi is deeply passionate about criminal justice reform, particularly in the areas of youth justice and the prevention of young Māori and Pacific Islanders from entering the “pipeline” that often leads to a lifetime of offending and incarceration. He has whakapapa to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Whakatohea, and Ngāi Tahu, with knowledge and understanding of tikanga Māori and te ao Māori. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, Psych Matters and Women's Psychiatry Network have collaborated to produce this episode with Dr Tina Rizkallah and her guests, Dr Carol Silberberg, Dr Susannah Bond and Dr Ophelia Fernandez, as they discuss the vital role of mentorship in the field of psychiatry, particularly for women.  They explore the definitions and distinctions between mentorship, supervision and sponsorship, as well as the benefits and challenges of both organic and formal mentorship programs. The conversation shares personal experiences, emphasises the importance of supportive relationships and advocates for equitable access to mentorship opportunities. With practical advice for those considering mentorship, the discussion highlights how it can be a rewarding experience for both mentors and mentees alike. Dr Carol Silberberg is the Director of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at St Vincent's Melbourne and has more than fifteen years of experience in asylum seeker mental health. After stepping away from her role in academic psychiatry to raise her children, she has remained an active contributor to clinical research and medical education. Dr Silberberg is passionate about improving gender equity, family-friendly practices and mental wellbeing within the medical workforce. As a psychiatrist, she understands the value of self-care and so dabbles as a ceramicist, cellist, cook, fitness and karaoke enthusiast. Dr Susannah Bond is an early-career psychiatrist specialising in eating disorders. She also plays an active role in medical education, supporting prevocational doctors as Director of Clinical Training and psychiatry registrars as Chief Training Supervisor at her health service.  An internationally trained medical graduate (IMG) from the UK, Susannah moved to Australia with her young family eight years ago. Dr Ophelia Fernandez is a consultant psychiatrist at the statewide Psychological Trauma Recovery Service at Austin Health, where she provides specialised psychiatric care to first responders and other individuals with trauma-related mental health disorders. She is also the coordinator of the mentoring program for psychiatry trainees at Austin Health. Ophelia completed her undergraduate medical training in Ireland and went on to finish her psychiatry training at the Austin. Dr Tina Rizkallah is an early career psychiatrist working in the areas of eating disorders and forensic psychiatry. She has a particular interest in exploring women's experiences and their intersection with mental disorders, focusing on issues such as body image, coercive control, and domestic and family violence.  A passionate advocate for gender equality, she currently serves as the chair of the Women's Psychiatry Network. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This two-episode podcast examines the importance of effective, proactive multi-agency collaboration in adolescent forensic mental health settings. In this discussion, Dr James Gardiner and Dr Enys Delmage cover common presentations and highlight best practices across various environments, including inpatient services, community-based care and in-reach programs to youth justice residences (secure units operated by Oranga Tamariki, where some children remanded by the Youth or High Courts may be placed). This series introduces key topics that will be explored in greater detail at the upcoming RANZCP Section of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry Conference held in March 2025, Wellington. This podcast will be valuable for professionals working in adolescent forensic settings or those involved with children in the justice system.   Dr James Gardiner is a forensic psychiatrist working at Tū Māia, formerly known as Regional Youth Forensic Services in Auckland.  Most of his work involves delivering in-reach mental health care to the two youth justice residences in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.  James has worked as an in-reach psychiatrist in various correctional settings for around 20 years, with the last 10 years working with young people. Dr Enys Delmage is an adolescent forensic psychiatrist working at Ngā Taiohi, a secure inpatient service for young people in Porirua, Wellington. With a specific interest in the interface between mental health and the law in relation to young people, his research primarily explores the international landscape of the minimum age of criminal responsibility. References: UN Office on Drugs and Crime's International Homicide Statistics database World Bank International Crime Rates and Statistics 2000-2025 dataTopic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This episode, developed by the RANZCP Section of Leadership and Management (SLAM), Associate Professor Robert Parker (Chair of SLAM) explores Mark's journey into leadership and management and aims to encourage and inform Early Career and other psychiatrists in pursuit of a career in Leadership and Management. Mark was given the opportunity to take on leadership roles as an early career psychiatrist. He reflects on his successful sporting background and how this compliments his skills in the board room, advocating for Māori voice and all levels of the health care system. He talks about his strengths, weaknesses and learning to embrace the uncomfortableness of these challenges. He gives insights for aspiring young leaders to consider for their journey. For Mark, he considers himself a doer, getting important things completed and ensuring a strong indigenous voice within our binational college. He predicts the future looks bright for our new aspiring leaders who are equipped with competent knowledge in both indigenous worlds and medical worlds.Dr Mark Lawrence is a Māori adult psychiatrist and current board director who works in Aotearoa NZ public health care system. He holds academic and teaching positions and is a respected leader in the area of Māori mental health.  Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Elizabeth Moore interviews Dr Ettore Guaia and Dr Sadaf Khan about their personal experiences with disabilities, particularly visual impairments, and the importance of disability advocacy within the field of psychiatry. They reflect on their training experiences, highlighting the challenges faced by trainees with disabilities and the need for stronger support systems.Join us as Dr Ettore Guaia and Dr Sadaf Khan provide invaluable lessons on resilience, adaptation, and the importance of understanding different perspectives in psychiatry. Their stories are a testament to the power of determination and the positive impact that diverse experiences can bring to mental health care. The Sunflower Initiative Standford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity Doctors with Albinism Facebook group Doctors with Disabilities podcast Ettore's interview for International Disability Awareness Day Dr Ettore Guaia is an Italian Australian child and adolescent psychiatrist. He has worked in public and private sectors in Italy, the United Kingdom and since 2012, in Australia. He has worked in paediatric consultation-liaison and as well as in inpatient and outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry, and has a keen interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disability. He is the Medical Co-director of Youth Mental Health and Eating Disorders at North Metropolitan Health Service in Western Australia.  Ettore is a person with albinism and a visual impairment. He is a member of the Stanford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity and Doctors with Albinism, and actively mentors doctors with disabilities.  Dr Sadaf Khan is a newly fellowed consultant psychiatrist currently working in adult acute mental health at Eastern Health in Victoria. She began her psychiatry training in Ireland and is a proud member of both the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and the UK. In 2024, she completed her fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). In this conversation, Dr Khan shares her personal experiences navigating the complexities of psychiatric training while living with visual impairment. She candidly discusses the obstacles she faced and the innovative strategies she developed to overcome them. Dr Elizabeth Moore is the current President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), 2023 - 2025. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

Kon Karapanagiotidis, the founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), joins Dr Kym Jenkins and Brianna Sleeth to discuss the Centre's mission of providing holistic support to asylum seekers and refugees. Established 23 years ago, the ASRC aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals who have experienced trauma and persecution. Its comprehensive range of services includes food banks, health and psychiatry clinics, legal assistance, educational programs and more. The discussion highlights the significance of advocacy and the crucial role psychiatrists play in promoting the rights and wellbeing of asylum seekers. It also addresses the challenges of burnout and the importance of self-care for professionals in this demanding field. The conversation sheds light on the deliberate cruelty and neglect experienced by asylum seekers in Australia's offshore detention centres, including the denial of adequate healthcare, loss of dignity, as well as psychological torture and distress. The uncertainty and instability in their lives often lead to mental health crises, such as PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation. For more information about the ASRC and ways to get involved, visit https://asrc.org.au/ Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM is a passionate humanitarian, changemaker, gardener, cook, public speaker and bestselling author. He is also a qualified lawyer, social worker, teacher and the Founding CEO of Australia's largest human rights organisation for people seeking asylum, the ASRC.Dr Kym Jenkins is a former President of the RANZCP and has served as Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges. She has held a range of roles as a Consultant Psychiatrist in both the public and private sectors and has a strong clinical and academic focus on the health and welfare of the medical profession. In her private practice, Dr. Jenkins specialises in consultation-liaison and women's psychiatry. Dr Jenkins has had extensive involvement in psychiatry-related medical education, both within the RANZCP and externally. As a founding member of the RANZCP Network for Asylum Seeker and Refugee Mental Health, she served as Chair of the network until May 2024.   Brianna Sleeth is a community health nurse at the ASRC. She is a registered nurse with three years of experience and is currently pursuing a Master of Mental Health Nursing. Brianna has worked with both adolescents and adults in psychiatric inpatient settings, where she has developed a strong skill set for addressing significant and complex mental health issues. In her free time, Brianna volunteers in prison settings and supports people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Melbourne. She is passionate about providing high quality, trauma-informed care to people seeking asylum as well as increasing access to essential mental health services. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Associate Professor Campbell Paul and Dr Linda Kader explore the intricate world of infant mental health, emphasising the roles of play, trauma awareness and parental involvement in early childhood development. They discuss the importance of observing infants, understanding the impact of early experiences and the necessity of cultural sensitivity in practice. The conversation also highlights global initiatives in infant mental health and the need for mental health professionals to maintain a playful and curious approach in their work. Associate Professor Campbell Paul is a consultant infant and child psychiatrist at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and is also an honorary principal fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne. He and his colleagues have established a Graduate Diploma and a Masters course in infant and parent mental health. Dr Linda Kader is a consultant psychiatrist, psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher with a strong interest and commitment to raise and facilitate necessary conversations in healthcare leadership and management. She works at The Royal Melbourne and The Royal Children's Hospitals, where she provides leadership and clinical care, supervises and teaches registrars, and supports various aspects of service development and implementation. She is a mentor for registrars with RANZCP and is committed to refugee healthcare and human rights advocacy through her local council committees.  Drawing on her extensive practice and knowledge of mindfulness and compassion, she cultivates a professional, sage and engaging working environment for her teams and all staff.  Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

The Psych Matters team: David, Jo-Rose and Nishta, would like to thank you for your support during the year 2024. We hope that you've enjoyed the many topics and like to thank College members and others who have generously given their time to develop and present Psych Matters. We'll be back on the 3rd of January with the next episode of Psych Matters.In this episode, Prof Vlasios Brakoulias, Dr Gary Galambos and Dr Mikaela Tracy discuss innovative interventions for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in young people as part of the Uspace OCD Program at St Vincent's Private Hospital co-designed by Prof Brakoulias and Dr Galambos. It incorporates multiple next level technologies such as scent-enhanced Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, MRI-guided TMS for OCD, online exposure plans, exposure therapy tools and management plans. The program aims to improve the quality of care for patients by integrating research, cutting-edge treatments and a focus on early intervention.    Prof Vlasios Brakoulias, MBBS Syd, PhD Syd, FRANZCP, is a psychiatrist specialising in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. He is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney and a Conjoint Professor at the School of Medicine and the Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) at Western Sydney University. Professor Brakoulias is also an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University and the University of Notre Dame. Renowned internationally as an expert in obsessive-compulsive disorders, he has presented at numerous international conferences and is a co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed papers. Dr Gary Galambos is the Chair of the Binational Section of Private Practice Psychiatry for the RANZCP, Associate Professor at the School of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame, and Medical Director of the Uspace Young Adult Mental Health Unit at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney. Dr Galambos is an innovator in the design, development and research of 21st century mental health services in the private sector. He has effectively integrated in-person mental health services with digital solutions such as a specialist-grade eLearning and training program, online delivered outcome measures, and AI-guided psychometric tools, utilising a purpose-built digital platform he developed called MindSkiller. Dr Mikaela Tracy holds a Master of Clinical Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney and a PhD from The University of Sydney. Mikaela has a broad range of clinical experience across acute inpatient, outpatient community and university mental healthcare settings supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, behavioural and emotional regulation challenges, relationship issues , trauma, and personality disorders.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Choong-Siew Yong and Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi discuss the benefits and drawbacks of telepsychiatry and digital mental health delivery for general psychiatric care and specifically for children and adolescents. The pre- and post-pandemic approaches are discussed, including the emergency response for younger people. The conversation also examines the benefits and risks of telepsychiatry, including equitable digital technology access and technical challenges.  It also covers the use of telepsychiatry in rural and remote settings, and to allow videoconferencing when patients and their families are in different locations.  The discussion also explores new business models of telepsychiatry and the associated benefits and risks. Dr Choong-Siew Yong is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Sydney, NSW. He has long-standing interests in medical workforce and education, practitioner regulation, doctors' health and mental health policy. He has served on the executive committees of the Australian Medical Association, NSW Medical Board and Medical Council, and the NSW Doctors' Health Advisory Service. For the RANZCP, he has served as the Chair of the Committee for Education Evaluation, Monitoring and Reporting and Continuing Medical Education (now known as the Committee for Continuing Professional Development). He is the current Chair of the Member Wellbeing Subcommittee. A/Prof Jeffrey Looi, MBBS Syd, MD ANU, DMedSc Melb, FRANZCP, AFRACMA, is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist, in private and public practice, and Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology. Jeffrey leads the Australian, United States, Scandinavian-Spanish Imaging Exchange and the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis. He has received multiple research and leadership awards including: a Fulbright Scholarship and Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award and Fellowship of the AMA. He is a co-author on more than 330 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne. Journal articles:Telepsychiatry & face-to-face psychiatric consultationsCOVID-19 medicare benefits schedule telehealth for private psychiatric careComparison of out-of-pocket costs of Medicare-funded consultationsTrends of MBS telepsychiatry & consultant physician telehealth servicesClient perspectivesTopic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Penny Lewis, a clinical psychologist, interviews her husband, Dr George Blair-West, a psychiatrist, on his presentation at RANZCP 2024 Congress about Unconscious Lateral Intelligence (ULI).  Our minds have an amazing capacity to solve the most challenging problems while not consciously thinking about it and being engaged in something totally unrelated. It can even do this while we sleep. Dr Blair-West outlines his research into how some of history's greatest minds have creatively solved problems, that have led to Nobel prizes, blockbuster movies and the most covered song of all time. He will explain how ULI works and how you can improve your access to, and make the most of, the most powerful part of your mind. Dr George Blair-West is an author and psychiatrist. He discusses the subject of his upcoming, sixth book on a subject he started researching and talking on 25 years ago. His books, and two TED talks, reflect his interest in existentialism, couple work and trauma therapy. His most recent book, ‘The Girl in the Green Dress' documents a legal first in Australia where Dissociative Identity Disorder became the basis for the prosecution rather than the defence. Penny Lewis is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Brisbane Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Choong-Siew Yong and Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi discuss computer gaming culture from the viewpoint of understanding the interests and hobbies of patients and community members, as well as considering benefits and harms specifically for children and adolescents. The issues discussed include definitions, how and why people choose to play computer games, and risks such as excessive gaming and introduction to gambling via loot boxes. Learning how to ask patients about the role of gaming in their lives can help in better understanding the sociocultural milieux in which they live. Dr Choong-Siew Yong is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Sydney, NSW. He has long-standing interests in medical workforce and education, practitioner regulation, doctors' health and mental health policy. He has served on the executive committees of the Australian Medical Association, NSW Medical Board and Medical Council, and the NSW Doctors' Health Advisory Service.  For the RANZCP, he has served as the Chair of the Committee for Education Evaluation, Monitoring and Reporting (CEEMR) and the Committee for Continuing Medical Education (now known as the Committee for Continuing Professional Development). He is the current Chair of the Member Wellbeing Subcommittee.Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, MBBS Syd, MD ANU, DMedSc Melb, FRANZCP, AFRACMA, is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist, in private and public practice, and Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology. Jeffrey leads the Australian, United States, Scandinavian-Spanish Imaging Exchange (AUSSIE) and the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has received multiple research and leadership awards including: a Fulbright Scholarship and Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award and Fellowship of the AMA. He is a co-author on more than 330 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne. In January 2024, he was appointed as Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed medical scientific journal, Australasian Psychiatry published by the RANZCP, through Sage. References: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10398562231211137Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this special Halloween episode, Dr Rob Kaplan explores the intersection of psychiatry and the myth of vampires, particularly through the lens of Renfield's syndrome, a fictional condition derived from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. It discusses how psychiatric disorders are defined, the historical context of vampirism, and the implications of clinical cases related to blood drinking behaviour. The discussion emphasises the social aspects of diagnoses and the cultural fascination with vampires. Dr Robert M. Kaplan, MBChB FRANZCP MA MPhil, is a forensic psychiatrist, lecturer and speaker with positions at the University of New South Wales, Western Sydney University and Wollongong University. His fields of expertise are sleep and pain disorders, neuropsychiatry and psychological aspects of physical disorders. He also holds the distinguished position of Chair of the Binational Section of Philosophy and Humanities at RANZCP. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Ashlea White and Dr Roderick McKay discuss the professional and interpersonal aspects of wellbeing, emphasising the importance of community and peer support for mental health professionals. Drawing from their own experiences, they reflect on the challenges faced by trainees, the role of mentorship, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues and seeking help as a physician. They explore how the profession can create space to value those that may be struggling.   The conversation also highlights the impact that small, helpful acts and moments can have, and the human element of fostering more supportive environments in psychiatry. They discuss how community can help with regaining perspective in difficult times. Dr Ashlea White is an early career addiction and adult psychiatrist with a varied career in public and private psychiatry, spanning tertiary and regional healthcare. In a previous life, she was a radiographer and now she is committed to building a flexible career in psychiatry that aligns with her many interests while also spending time with her growing family. Dr White continues to be passionate about gender equity and improving access to quality mental health treatment for all. She also sits on the RANZCP Member Wellbeing Subcommittee. Dr Roderick McKay is a psychiatrist whose current work focuses on working with older people and postgraduate education with psychiatry trainees and multidisciplinary courses. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW. At RANZCP, he was the former bi-national chairs of both the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age and the Community Collaborative Committee. Dr McKay currently works as a clinician in southern Sydney, having previously worked in southwestern Sydney and Far West NSW.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This conversation discusses the development of the Certificate of Postgraduate Training in Clinical Psychiatry (the Certificate), funded by the Australian Government. The Certificate is designed for medical practitioners in Australia (PGY5+) who want to learn foundational concepts in psychiatry and develop practical clinical skills to assess and support patients who present with mental health conditions. The program includes four core areas with an elective that can be related to your interests. It offers flexibility and experiential learning, allowing participants to continue working in their primary places of work -while under clinical supervision by experienced psychiatrists.Chair of the Expert Advisory Group, Dr Bill Kingswell, and members of the Expert Advisory Group and Curriculum Authorship Steering Group, Dr Matthew Ruhl and Dr Catherine Andronis, discuss why medical practitioners should enrol into the Certificate and the benefits of undertaking the program for general practitioners and rural generalists.Dr Bill Kingswell is a psychiatrist with a long-term interest in the educational activities of the RANZCP and chaired the Expert Advisory Group which governed this project.Dr Matthew Ruhl is a rural generalist (FACRRM), with an advanced skill in mental health and special interests in addiction and sexual health, and all facets of LGBTIQAPSB+ health. He has worked for the past decade in hospitals and health facilities across south-east Queensland. Matt is an active clinical educator for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and continues to study actively, is a novice researcher and supports medical student and doctor education. In his spare time, he enjoys his artistic pursuits as an amateur stained-glass maker, cooking, gaming, and sleep (especially sleep!). Dr Catherine Andronis is a Melbourne-based GP with a special interest in mental health, and a family therapist.  She is currently the Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Psychological Medicine Specific Interests group, as well as a medical educator and a keen advocate for mental health care in Australia.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Lauren Schild and Dr Rory Grinsill discuss their trainee experiences of their rotations in the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). They talk about the value of these placements, the challenges they faced, and the benefits of group therapy for veterans. The conversation, facilitated by Dr Jonathan Lane, highlights the importance of understanding the unique experiences and needs of military veterans and the role of community support in their mental health treatment. Learn more about MVPTP Military and Veteran Psychiatry Training Program.Dr Lauren Schild is a new Fellow currently working in a public inpatient unit inSouth Australia. She completed her medical training at the University of Adelaide, interned at Flinders Medical Centre and completed her psychiatry training in the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network. During her training, she completed three rotations at the Jamie Larcombe Centre, which is the specialist mental health unit for veterans in South Australia.Dr Rory Grinsill is a Consultant Psychiatrist currently working at Toowong Private Hospital in Brisbane. As a veteran of the Royal Navy, he has a particular interest in improving mental health and welfare within military and veteran communities. A/Prof Jonathan Lane, FRANZCP, MBBS (Hons), PhD, has been in the Army since 1989 and is also an Afghanistan veteran. He works with the DVA and is the Psychiatry Lead for the University of Tasmania School of Medicine He works in the field of military, veteran and first responders and has a PhD in culturally specific, peer led, group programs for stress and trauma in these populations. He is the current Chair of the Military, Veterans' and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network in the RANZCP and is passionate about developing services, clinical outcomes, and translational research in this area.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

Sleep disorders are often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. Understanding sleep physiology is key to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Sleep disorders can be categorized into disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, disorders of excessive sleep, parasomnias, and disturbances of the sleep cycle. Dr Robert Kaplan takes us through diagnoses, approach and treatment methods for the various sleep disorders including insomnia, sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and REM sleep behaviour disorder.Dr Robert M. Kaplan, MBChB FRANZCP MA MPhil, is a Forensic psychiatrist, lecturer and speaker with positions at the University of New South Wales, Western Sydney University and Wollongong University. His fields of expertise are sleep and pain disorders, neuropsychiatry and psychological aspects of physical disorders. He also holds the distinguished position at RANZCP, of Chair of the Binational Section Philosophy and the Humanities in Psychiatry.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In 2008, Australia and New Zealand ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD challenges traditional mental health legislation by emphasising the respect for inherent dignity, legal capacity, liberty and physical and mental integrity of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others. The application of CRPD in mental health care requires a realistic and balanced interpretation of the CRPD as well as education and training of clinical staff in human rights framework.Prof Neeraj Gill and Dr Ava Carter will outline the contemporary human rights framework. They examine civil and political rights, including involuntary psychiatric treatment and coercive interventions, along with economic, social and cultural rights. The discussion will also cover the application of the UN CRPD in mental health care in Australia as well as social determinants to health, social justice and public mental health.Prof Neeraj Gill is a psychiatrist at Gold Coast Health. He is a Professor of Adult Psychiatry at Griffith University and Professor of Public Mental Health at the University of Canberra. He is the Regional Vice-President, Oceania of the World Federation for Mental Health and the Secretary of the World Psychiatric Association Section on Psychiatry, Law and Ethics. He served as an elected Director on the Board of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) from 2020-2023.Neeraj was awarded his Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) based on his doctoral thesis on 'human rights of people with mental disabilities'. He has published many papers on human rights, mental health law, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing.Dr Ava Carter is a dental surgeon and medical doctor, currently specialising in consultation liaison psychiatry and developing her skills in medical administration and management. She is passionate about collaborating to improve outcomes and drive system change in organisations in the healthcare sector, and is driven to elevate the voices of others, particularly in healthcare education and lived experience. Clinically, Ava has worked in public health services, in allied health, and in the private health sector, and currently holds an operational role as Senior Registrar at Canberra Health Services. Ava was appointed by the Board as the Appointed Director, Trainee, for a one-year term from 31 May 2023 and was reappointed for a further one-year term from May 2024 to May 2025.Additional resources:Mental Health and Human Rights: The Challenges of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to Mental Health Care. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suTopic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

Developed by the RANZCP Section of Leadership and Management (SLAM), the following discussion is hosted by the former Chair, Associate Professor Robert Parker. This conversation exploring the topics of leadership and management in psychiatry, with a focus on the future of these fields and the challenges faced by early career psychiatrists. The panellists, Dr Graham Dickson, Dr Diane Meschino and Dr Mamta Gautam, share their personal experiences and insights. They discuss the importance of values, passion, persistence and ethical leadership in driving positive change highlighting the need for collaboration, curiosity and the ability to navigate barriers. Dr Graham Dickson is Professor Emeritus at Royal Roads University in Canada. He is CEO of LEADS Global, a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to improving health leadership worldwide. As the principal, he works closely with the Canadian College of Health Leaders to enable countries outside of Canada to use LEADS for leadership development. Graham worked with the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) over an eight-year period to support their leadership work and to create Health LEADS Australia. Graham is also working with colleagues to grow and expand the World Health Leadership Network, a collaborative enterprise dedicated to defining and understanding leadership necessary for moving health care forward in the 21st Century. LEADS Global has partnered with Accreditation Canada International and the Royal College Canada International to take medical leadership programs abroad. Dr Diane Meschino is a psychiatrist, artist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, with an academic focus on medical leadership. Building on discourses and evidence regarding gender, equity, rights, justice and power, Diane was an early women's health pioneer, founding and scaling programmes for underserved mental health populations. She has semi-retired to apply creative leadership and international collaboration to enhance healthcare system resilience and responses to climate change. Dr Mamta Gautam, MD, MBA, FRCPC, CPDC, CCPE, CPE is an internationally renowned psychiatrist, consultant, certified coach, author and speaker.  Focused on physician well-being being since 1990, she is a trailblazer and leader in this field and is known as the “The Doctor's Doctor”. She brings this knowledge and expertise to PEAK MD, through which she delivers keynote presentations and workshops, consults to healthcare organisations and coaches senior medical leaders internationally.  Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This episode explores the work of psychiatrists in government, private practice and research for the population of military and veteran personnel in Australia. The conversation covers various specialist fields in psychiatry, including trauma-related disorders, substance abuse and forensic work. A/Prof Jon Lane, Leonie Nowland, Dr Alex Lim and Prof Jenny Firman discuss their experiences in private practice and its unique challenges and opportunities. They also highlight the role of Open Arms, a national counselling service for the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), in providing culturally aware and trauma-informed care.A/Prof Jon Lane, FRANZCP, MBBS (Hons), PhD, has been in the Army since 1989 and is also an Afghanistan veteran. He is a clinician in private practice, as well as holding several different roles. These include being a Consultant Psychiatrist for the DVA and Open Arms; the Psychiatry Lead for the University of Tasmania School of Medicine; and has adjunct appointments and research projects with the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation. He is also the current Chair of the College's Military and Veterans' Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network.Leonie Nowland is the First Assistant Secretary of Open Arms. Leonie has a wealth of experience working in critical roles in mental health across the State and Commonwealth public sectors and in the private sector in the UK and New Zealand. Leonie's move to the role of First Assistant Secretary of Open Arms, is the culmination of many years' experience in the mental health sector and she brings to the role a strong background as a mental health administrator and clinician, with a focus on community mental health.Dr Alexander Yick-Chern Lim is an Adjunct Associate Professor with the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at the University of Queensland, and Co-Founder, Director and Chief Medical Officer of Zed3 Medical Group, a nationwide mental healthcare services provider. He is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Zed3 Specialist Centre, and is engaged with policy, research and education in the field of serving and ex-serving uniformed personnel healthcare with a focus on precision medicine. Dr Lim is a member of the Military, Veterans' and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network at the RANZCP. Professor Jenny Firman AM joined the Royal Australian Navy as a medical student and over the next 22 years of full time service was posted to a range of positions in the Navy and Australian Defence Force. After leaving the full time Navy she spent a decade in the Australian Government Department of Health working on communicable diseases and health emergencies. In 2019 she was appointed as the Chief Health Officer in the DVA.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode Dr Warren Kealy-Bateman FRANZCP speaks with transgender youth about what it's like being a young transgender person in Australia. Often absent in discussions around transgender youth healthcare are the voices of transgender youth themselves. This podcast explores four individual experiences with transgender healthcare across Australia and considers how psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals can better help transgender and gender-questioning youth in their journey.Dr Warren Kealy-Bateman works in Dubbo and regions as a clinical director. He has experience in education and training, public health and eating disorders. His academic work includes LGBTIQ+ health disparity.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

Enjoying the podcast? Send us a text message.In this episode, Dr Linda Kader interviews Ginny Whitelaw, a former NASA scientist and leadership expert. They discuss topics such as finding purpose as a leader, authenticity and inquiry in leadership, aligning body, energy, and mind, and the vision for leaders in the world. Ginny shares insights from her own journey and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, psychological safety, and aligning one's gifts with leadership. The conversation highlights the need for leaders to cultivate a sense of healing and wisdom in order to create positive change in the world. Dr Ginny Whitelaw is a Rinzai Zen master and founder and CEO of the Institute for Zen Leadership. A biophysicist by training, she combines a rich scientific background with senior leadership experience at NASA and 25 years developing leaders at such companies as Novartis, Dell, Merck, T. Rowe Price, Mercer, and JNJ. A recognized expert in development of the whole leader, she has authored several books, including The Zen Leader and Resonate. She co-developed the FEBI®, which measures 4 patterns of personality that connect body, mind and behaviors, and trains practitioners worldwide in applying FEBI in their work.In her nearly 10 years at NASA, Dr. Whitelaw became the Deputy Manager for integrating the International Space Station, for which she received NASA's Exceptional Service Medal. She holds a PhD in Biophysics and a 5th degree black belt in Aikido.Dr Linda Kader is a consultant psychiatrist, psychotherapist & mindfulness teacher with a strong interest and commitment to raise and facilitate necessary conversations in healthcare leadership and management. She works at The Royal Melbourne and The Royal Children's Hospitals offering leadership & clinical care, supervision & teaching of registrars, and supporting various aspects of service development  & implementation. She is a Mentor for registrars with RANZCP, holds passion for refugee healthcare and engages in Human Rights Advocacy through her local Council committees. She brings to her daily work extensive practice and knowledge of mindfulness and compassion to nurture professional, safe and engaging working atmosphere for her teams and all staff.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode Prof Brett McDermott is in conversation with A/Prof Yoram Barack about the Kioku project. This study is looking to test new ways to reduce loneliness. Loneliness has an incredibly negative impact on health, especially so for older adults. Rates of loneliness are creeping up in most high income and middle income countries, especially for women and men over the age of 70. Based on some research that was developed and tested in the early 2020s and this is the beginning of a journey of developing games in which we share personal true stories with each other and reduce loneliness. A/Prof Yoram Barak's research interests include multiple sclerosis, cancer, a wide range of psychiatric conditions (such as depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive–compulsive disorder), old-age psychiatry, and suicide. He is also interested in Alzheimer's Disease and has published a popular book called "Preventing Alzheimer's: A Personal Responsibility".Prof Brett McDermott is an Australian medical graduate who trained in Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the UK and Sydney. Apart from being a Professor at the University of Tasmania, he holds other academic appointments: By-Fellow at Churchill College, Cambridge University; Adjunct Professor at JCU; Professorial Fellow at Mater Research and from 2006-2016 was a Board Director of beyondblue: the National Depression Initiative. Current position is the Clinical Director CAMHS Tasmania.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This episode of Psych Matters recorded at the 2023 RANZCP Congress in Perth is about remote supervision for psychiatry trainees. Inequitable access to psychiatric care has been highlighted as a significant shortcoming for both the Australian and New Zealand mental health care system for some time. The college developed a rural psychiatry roadmap 2021 to 2031, a pathway to equitable and sustainable rural mental health services, and has made a number of proposals for change, emphasizing how building the rural psychiatry workforce will require the development of dedicated rural psychiatry training pathways to fellowship.The roadmap focuses on expanding opportunities for aspiring psychiatrists to live, train and practice rurally, as well as optimising the support available for those who take up these opportunities. One of the key priority areas for the roadmap has been to develop the remote supervision regulations which have been endorsed by the board and will be implemented over the coming years. Remote supervision is for newly created and established training posts that have not previously been provided by existing resident psychiatry supervision. The principal supervisor does not reside in the location and is primarily off site. Remote supervision is not designed to replace existing supervision arrangements but rather extend the training opportunities into locations which may have been unable to offer a training post due to meeting requirements of the current supervision policies.This conversation is with Associate Professor Jill Benson and Associate Professor Mat Coleman, who were involved with an expert advisory group in the development of the remote supervision guidelines and new regulations.Associate Professor Jill Benson AM is an Adelaide-based GP who has mostly worked with refugees, Aboriginal people and doctors. She is also an academic and medical educator and has written the Remote Supervision Guidelines for the RACGP as well as RANZCP. Associate Professor Mathew Coleman is a consultant psychiatrist with the WA Country Health Service, Clinical Director for the Great Southern and Midwest Mental Health Service and Clinical Academic with the Rural Clinical School of WA. He is a qualified child and adolescent, and addiction psychiatrist and has experience and qualifications in health service management. He was also the former Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode the speakers discuss their personal backgrounds and experiences with diagnosing and treating ADHD. They emphasize the need for ADHD training and education in the field of psychiatry and the push for ADHD to become mainstream in mental health services. Collaboration and peer review in ADHD treatment are also discussed, along with medico-legal considerations including the Senate inquiry on ADHD in Australia with a discussion on room for improvement in ADHD services.Dr Peter Hefferman is a Melbourne based Consultant Psychiatrist with over 35 years' experience in Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, and Psychotherapy. He has worked in the field of assessment and care of Adults with ADHD over the past 12 years, including the assessment, diagnosis and management of over 3,500 Patients.  He is a member of the United Kingdom Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) having completed the UKAAN training in the assessment and treatment of Adult ADHD at the London Institute of Psychiatry. He is also an augural member of the Australian ADHD Professionals Association Professionals (AADPA).  He was the inaugural Chairperson of the RANZCP ADHD Network Committee, and continue to be an active member of the Committee and is a long-standing member of the Victorian Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists.Prof Emerita Sarah Romans is an adult academic social psychiatrist with over 40 years experience as a consultant. Worked in public and academic settings in her career and more recently in her private practice in Wellington. Her research areas have been mood disorders, women's mental health, and medical education.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This episode revolves around the importance of youth mental health and the need for specialized care for young people. Dr Astha Tomar facilitates this discussion with distinguished panel members Prof Patrick McGorry, Dr Iain Macmillan, Dr Daniel Pellen, Dr Leonardo Sauaia,  and Dr Ian Soosay. They cover the deterioration of youth mental health in high-income countries, the impact of the pandemic, along with the need for increased funding and research in mental health care, and the challenges of accessing mental health services in rural and remote areas. They emphasize the importance of co-designing services with young people and their families, as well as the need for culturally sensitive care.Dr Astha Tomar is the President-Elect 2023-2025 for RANZCP and will step into the role of President RANZCP from June 2025 to June 2027. She is the Director Clinical Services at Orygen Youth Specialist Program. She also works as a private psychiatrist Prof Patrick McGorry is a psychiatrist known world-wide for his development and scaling up of early intervention and youth mental health services and for mental health innovation, advocacy, and reform. He is a Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and founding editor of the journal of Early Intervention in Psychiatry.Dr Iain Macmillan has been a consultant psychiatrist since 1995. He has worked as a consultant in early intervention in psychosis, and youth mental health since 2003, and has a particular interest in the treatment of the affective psychoses including bipolar disorder and depression with psychosis.Dr Daniel Pellen has been the chair of the RANZCP Binational Section of Youth Mental Health Committee since 2020 and is currently leading a group whose aim is to develop a sub-specialty in Youth Psychiatry. He is Clinical Lead of the Early Psychosis Intervention team in Western Sydney, works in private rooms in Sydney and has provided a specialist referral service at Headspace Bondi Junction. Daniel has also provided general Psychiatric outreach services to the rural New South Wales town of Armidale for the past six years.Dr Leonardo Sauaia is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, originally trained in Brazil, moved to New Zealand in 2014, and currently with Orygen Youth Health to work in early intervention for Personality Disorders.Dr Ian Soosay is the clinical director for Mental Health at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau. He was the deputy director of mental health at the ministry of Health New Zealand and been involved in many initiatives promoting Mental Health.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, experts in transgender health from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Victoria and Western Australia come together to discuss why they love working with transgender youth, what this entails, and the regional differences across the two countries. Acknowledging the lack of clinical education many psychiatrists (and doctors in general) will have received about transgender health, the podcast opens with a brief summary of essential knowledge before going on to discuss a wide range of topics. These include: how gender identity is formed, puberty blockers, and people who choose to stop gender-affirming treatments.Dr Zoe Kristensen (she/her/ia) is a child and adolescent psychiatrist working at a busyCAMHS service in Auckland. She has lived experience of gender diversity, and over the last decade has held various roles as transgender healthcare provider, medical educator, and policy advisor. Whilst contributions made during this podcast are not necessarily the positions held by these organisations, these are invariably informed by work as a Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Auckland, a faculty member for the WPATH GEI, an advisor for Manatū Hauora, and with PATHA.Dr Tram Nguyen (she/her) is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Co-Lead at the Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service. She is passionate about equity in healthcare and is a strong advocate for marginalised people. In her other roles, she is the Clinical Clinical Lead at the Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub and a long-standing Consultant with the Women's Alcohol and Drug Service, The Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne.Dr Julie Moore (she/her)  [MBBS (Hons), FRANZCP, Cert Child Adol Psychiatry] is a graduate of the University of Western Australia, and trained in the Western Australian training program of the RANZCP, after previous experience in hospital medicine, anaesthesia and occupational health. She is a member of the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and contributed to the development of the Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents (Telfer M and colleagues, 2018). Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode Dr Jamie Speeden (Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist/Paediatrician)discusses the care of transgender people with leading clinical experts in Aotearoa/NewZealand. The discussion covers what gender affirming care is (as well as what it isn't!) and the primary-care-lead model through which it is delivered and provided across Aotearoa/New Zealand. The panel discusses their experiences of providing gender-affirming care, explores how the role of the psychiatrist has changed since depsychopathologisation, and they share why they find working with transgender people to be particularly rewarding.Dr Jamie Speeden (he/him) is a dual-trained child and adolescent psychiatrist andpaediatrician working as part of a busy CAMHS service and private practice in Auckland. For many years he worked in a community Youth Clinic who saw primarily trans and gender diverse rangitahi. He is passionate about working from a youth development model and not just a medical diagnostic framework.Dr Caitlyn Drinkwater (she/her) is a clinical psychologist based in the Auckland region. She has previously worked for the regional transgender health services in both Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, and has provided this care both to adults and to youth. Her doctoral thesis explored the experiences of people with non-binary gender identities.Dr Rebecca Nicholls (she/her) is a Specialist General Practitioner who works inOtautahi/Christchurch providing gender affirming care to all ages using an informed-consent model. She also works for Te Whatu Ora Waitaha and Pegasus health as the Clinical Lead for Transgender health and was a co-author of the Primary Care Gender Affirming Guidelines, 2023.Dr Elizabeth McElrea (she/her) is a GP with a special interest in Gender Affirming Care(GPSI) and has been working in this area since 2015. With support, she set up the Gender Care Service at Tamatea Medical Centre (Napier, Hawkes Bay). Beth sits on the executive committee of the Professional Association for Transgender Healthcare Aotearoa  (PATHA) and is a member of the Ministry of Health advisory panel for projects supporting gender affirming care.Resources:Gender Minorities AotearoaBe There NZStorm Clouds & Rainbows (Resource for Parents of Gender Diverse Youth)WPATH Standards of Care Version 8NZ Primary Care GuidelinesFeedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, facilitated by Professor Bruce Singh AM, The Anna Freud Centre in the UK outline the work they are undertaking on behalf of the College to conduct an independent external review of the evidence for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for the treatment of mood disorders. The key components of the review are discussed, including systematic reviews of both quantitative and qualitative literature, and plans to conduct one-to-one interviews with health professionals and people with lived experience of psychotherapy. We also hear more about the Anna Freud Centre team working on the review. Further information about the review is available here: Mood disorders | RANZCPProfessor Bruce Singh AM is Chair of the RANZCP Mood Disorders Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Evidence Review Steering Group. He is an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and previously Head of Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne. He received his medical and psychiatry training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney after graduating from the University of Sydney. Professor Peter Fonagy is the leader of UCL's Psychology division and the Chief Executive of the Anna Freud Centre, a prominent charity dedicated to evidence based psychological intervention and treatment research. He is also a Consultant to the Child and Family Programme at the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, and holds visiting professorships at Yale and Harvard Medical Schools. Additionally, he has held a number of key national leadership positions as an expert clinical advisor.Dr. Chloe Campbell is a Deputy Director at the Psychoanalysis Unit at the department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology at UCL. Chloe is an author on several meta-analyses and systematic review papers, such as a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis which investigated long-term outcomes of psychological interventions on children and young people's mental health. Dr Campbell is experienced in conducting and supervising qualitative research, including with participants with lived experience, and in developing ethics protocols.Max Moser is a clinical research fellow at the Anna Freud Centre and a part-time doctoral student at the Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology department at UCL. As a researcher, his expertise lies in meta-analytic, systematic, and scoping review design methodologies. He has worked on the production of meta-analyses exploring treatment effects in psychotherapy and a systematic review looking at mechanisms of change in psychotherapy.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website. 

This episode gives you a brief overview of the vision and goals for the Australasian Psychiatry journal in discussion with its new editorial team, hosted by Jeffrey Looi, Samantha Loi, Sharon Reutens and Tarun Bastiampillai.  They discuss the importance of promoting academia and scholarly projects, encouraging debate, and exploring policy and international perspectives. They also highlight the significance of psychiatry in the context of social sciences and the need for civilized discourse in the journal, empowered by a fair review process. They encourage listeners to contribute papers to the journal, and to especially use the expanded range of article types.A/Prof Jeffrey Looi, MBBS Syd, MD ANU, DMedSc Melb, FRANZCP, AFRACMA, is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist, in private and public practice, and Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University Medical School. Jeffrey leads the Australian, United States, Scandinavian-Spanish Imaging Exchange (AUSSIE) and the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has received multiple research and leadership awards including: a Fulbright Scholarship and Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award. He is a co-author on more than 310 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne. He is Editor-in-Chief of Australasian Psychiatry  A/Prof Samantha Loi is an old age psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist working at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuropsychiatry Centre and Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne.  She works clinically with people with young-onset neurocognitive disorders including Huntington's disease and has 100 peer reviewed publications and grant funding in the area of young-onset dementia, ageing and mental health of older adults. Sam is immediate Past Chairs of the Young-Onset Dementia Special Interest Group and the Victorian Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age. She is a Deputy Editor of Australasian Psychiatry.  Dr Sharon Reutens, MBBS, FRANZCP is a psychiatrist in private practice and a Scientia PhD scholar at UNSW. She is trained in neuropsychiatry and old age psychiatry, focussing on forensic psychiatry in older people. She is a Deputy Editor of Australasian Psychiatry.Prof Tarun Bastiampillai, MBBS Adl, BMedSc, FRANZCP, is a consultant psychiatrist with academic affiliations at Flinders University and Monash University. He has served in several leadership roles including South Australian Executive Director of Mental Health strategy (2015-2017). He received the RANZCP Margaret Tobin Award in 2020 for his contributions to administrative psychiatry. He has published over 300 peer reviewed manuscripts. He is a Deputy Editor of Australasian Psychiatry.  Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

"Sheroes in Psychiatry" is an initiative of the Women in Psychiatry (WIP group). Sairee Chahal coined SHEROES in 1999 to denote "woman entrepreneur." WIP group selected the term "Sheroes" as a fitting term for every FRANZCP woman psychiatrist. By doing this podcast series, WIP aims to support and celebrate the work of Women psychiatrists. Their mission is to share the unique stories of this extraordinary group of women with the audience. The podcast plans to focus on who they are, where they come from, and where they are heading.Dr. Jacqueline Rakov is a clinical and forensic psychiatrist and Deputy Chair of the Forensic Faculty RANZCP (Vic). A large portion of her work includes the preparation of psychiatric reports in matters concerning both criminal and civil law. A particular area of interest is medicolegal work and reviewing the standard of care in medical negligence claims. She has worked with both plaintiff and defendant law firms in such matters as well as serving as the independent expert to the Coroner's Court. A passionate educator, Jackie holds a Masters of Health Professions Education and enjoys teaching medical students and doctors as well as offering continuing professional development to the legal community. In a treatment capacity Jackie has worked extensively in forensic settings, treating mentally ill offenders, and now holds a current appointment as the forensic psychiatrist for Monash Health and has particular interests in psychotherapy and trauma disorders in private practice. Dr Tina Rizkallah, is a consultant psychiatrist working in Victoria in the fields of forensic psychiatry and eating disorders. She is the past chair of women in psychiatry passionate advocate for gender equity both in and outside the workplace and training. Notable achievements include establishing the inaugural women in psychiatry dinner, conducting research on gender bias in psychiatry and lobbying the RANZCP for review of part time training fees. Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website. 

"Sheroes in Psychiatry" is an initiative of the Women in Psychiatry (WIP group). Sairee Chahal coined SHEROES in 1999 to denote "woman entrepreneur." WIP group selected the term "Sheroes" as a fitting term for every FRANZCP woman psychiatrist. By doing this podcast series, WIP aims to support and celebrate the work of Women psychiatrists. Their mission is to share the unique stories of this extraordinary group of women with the audience. The podcast plans to focus on who they are, where they come from, and where they are heading.Professor Kay Wilhelm is Professor of Psychiatry at University of Notre Dame Sydney, Conjoint Professor in Psychiatry and Mental Health UNSW and Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry at St Vincent's Hospital. She was a Member of NSW Medical Council for 14 years and Chair of Doctor's Health Program for 12 and is now part of the Hearing Member Panel for the NSW Medical Council.  She is Chair, HETI Higher Education Governing Council and member of the Central and Eastern Sydney LDH Advisory Group of Suicide Prevention and Mental Health.  She has previously been a member of the RANZCP Examinations Board and a consultant and researcher in the Mood Disorders Unit at Prince Henry Hospital, which developed into the Black Dog Institute. Over this time, she carried out a seminal 30-year longitudinal study looking at gender differences of wellbeing (The Sydney Teachers' Study). She has been awarded Founders' Medal, from Australasian Society of Psychiatric Research; the RANZCP College Citation and NSW Branch's Meritorious Service Award and is a Member of the Order of Australia. These awards were in recognition of services in depression management, suicide prevention, doctors' health, professional education and service to the profession. Dr Padmini Howpage, a consultant psychiatrist based in Sydney, is an author, mentor, community leader, philanthropist and chair of the Mind Connections Foundation, a registered charity. She has fervently worked to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness, now steering the Mind Connections Foundation, an ACNC-registered charity providing vital programs to the vulnerable. As the founding chair of Women's Shed - Hills Shire and a former founding chair of the Positive Vibes Foundation, Dr Howpage's influence extends beyond psychiatry. Collaborating with her husband, Daya, she initiated an annual scholar award for medical students promoting mental health awareness. Dr Howpage's literary contributions include "Mindful Coco" for children and "7 Magic Minutes for Today" for adults, reflecting her commitment to diverse audiences. Her philanthropy hasn't gone unnoticed, earning her the 'Woman of the West 2019' award from Western Sydney University and nominations as a Citizen of the Year finalist by the Hills Shire Council in 2020 and 2022. Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website. 

"Sheroes in Psychiatry" is an initiative of the Women in Psychiatry (WIP group). Sairee Chahal coined SHEROES in 1999 to denote "woman entrepreneur." WIP group selected the term "Sheroes" as a fitting term for every FRANZCP woman psychiatrist. By doing this podcast series, WIP aims to support and celebrate the work of Women psychiatrists. Their mission is to share the unique stories of this extraordinary group of women with the audience. The podcast plans to focus on who they are, where they come from, and where they are heading.Professor Colleen Loo, is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute. She is an internationally recognised clinical expert and researcher in the field of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and ketamine. She led the first Australian RCTs of these interventions in depression. She has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers and invited plenary and symposium speakers at national and international conferences. Expert adviser on policy and practice to Australian government health departments and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). Established professional training courses for psychiatrists and mental health clinicians in ECT, TMS, tDCS and ketamine.Dr Padmini Howpage, a consultant psychiatrist based in Sydney, is an author, mentor, community leader and philanthropist. She has fervently worked to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness and is the chair of the Mind Connections Foundation, a registered charity. She has fervently worked to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness, now steering the Mind Connections Foundation, an ACNC-registered charity providing vital programs to the vulnerable. As the founding chair of Women's Shed - Hills Shire and a former founding chair of the Positive Vibes Foundation, Dr Howpage's influence extends beyond psychiatry. Collaborating with her husband, Daya, she initiated an annual scholar award for medical students promoting mental health awareness. Dr Howpage's literary contributions include "Mindful Coco" for children and "7 Magic Minutes for Today" for adults, reflecting her commitment to diverse audiences. Her philanthropy hasn't gone unnoticed, earning her the 'Woman of the West 2019' award from Western Sydney University and nominations as a Citizen of the Year finalist by the Hills Shire Council in 2020 and 2022. Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website. 

"Sheroes in Psychiatry" is an initiative of the Women in Psychiatry (WIP group). Sairee Chahal coined SHEROES in 1999 to denote "woman entrepreneur." WIP group selected the term "Sheroes" as a fitting term for every FRANZCP woman psychiatrist. By doing this podcast series, WIP aims to support and celebrate the work of Women psychiatrists. Their mission is to share the unique stories of this extraordinary group of women with the audience. The podcast plans to focus on who they are, where they come from, and where they are heading.A/Prof Carolyn Quadrio is well known for her work in women's mental health and for introducing a feminist and gender analysis to mainstream psychiatry in Australia with her research on women in psychiatry - as patients and as practitioners and as victims of therapist abuse. In the forensic field, she is well known for her work on the abuse of children in religious institutions, the long-term sequelae of childhood sexual abuse, and psychiatric issues in domestic violence, including situations of domestic homicide.   Dr Padmini Howpage, a consultant psychiatrist based in Sydney, is an author, mentor, community leader and philanthropist. She has fervently worked to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness and is the chair of the Mind Connections Foundation, a registered charity. She has fervently worked to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness, now steering the Mind Connections Foundation, an ACNC-registered charity providing vital programs to the vulnerable. As the founding chair of Women's Shed - Hills Shire and a former founding chair of the Positive Vibes Foundation, Dr Howpage's influence extends beyond psychiatry. Collaborating with her husband, Daya, she initiated an annual scholar award for medical students promoting mental health awareness. Her career, spanning both public and private sectors, showcases her versatility in senior clinical, administrative, and academic positions. Dr Howpage's literary contributions include "Mindful Coco" for children and "7 Magic Minutes for Today" for adults, reflecting her commitment to diverse audiences. Her philanthropy hasn't gone unnoticed, earning her the 'Woman of the West 2019' award from Western Sydney University and nominations as a Citizen of the Year finalist by the Hills Shire Council in 2020 and 2022. Dr Howpage leaves an indelible mark in every facet of her journey, a compassionate force reshaping mental health advocacy. Her accolades and initiatives underscore a career dedicated to transforming lives and eradicating the barriers that surround mental illness and well-being.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website. 

"Sheroes in Psychiatry" is an initiative of the Women in Psychiatry (WIP group). Sairee Chahal coined SHEROES in 1999 to denote "woman entrepreneur." WIP group selected the term "Sheroes" as a fitting term for every FRANZCP woman psychiatrist. By doing this podcast series, WIP aims to support and celebrate the work of Women psychiatrists. Their mission is to share the unique stories of this extraordinary group of women with the audience. The podcast plans to focus on who they are, where they come from, and where they are heading.A/Prof Melanie Turner is an Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide and works as a child and adolescent psychiatrist in private practice in South Australia.  Mel is also an elected board director on the RANZCP Board, is the presiding member of the voluntary assisted dying review board in South Australia as well as a Member of the Medical Board of South Australia and a director on the board of Mental Health Australia. Dr Padmini Howpage, a consultant psychiatrist based in Sydney, is an author, mentor, community leader and philanthropist. She has fervently worked to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness and is the chair of the Mind Connections Foundation, a registered charity. She has fervently worked to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness, now steering the Mind Connections Foundation, an ACNC-registered charity providing vital programs to the vulnerable. As the founding chair of Women's Shed - Hills Shire and a former founding chair of the Positive Vibes Foundation, Dr Howpage's influence extends beyond psychiatry. Collaborating with her husband, Daya, she initiated an annual scholar award for medical students promoting mental health awareness. Her career, spanning both public and private sectors, showcases her versatility in senior clinical, administrative, and academic positions. Dr Howpage's literary contributions include "Mindful Coco" for children and "7 Magic Minutes for Today" for adults, reflecting her commitment to diverse audiences. Her philanthropy hasn't gone unnoticed, earning her the 'Woman of the West 2019' award from Western Sydney University and nominations as a Citizen of the Year finalist by the Hills Shire Council in 2020 and 2022. Dr Howpage leaves an indelible mark in every facet of her journey, a compassionate force reshaping mental health advocacy. Her accolades and initiatives underscore a career dedicated to transforming lives and eradicating the barriers that surround mental illness and well-being. Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website. 

This is a 2 part episode of podcasts  with leading Australian and New Zealand psychiatrists developed by the RANZCP Section of Leadership and Management. The following discussions hosted by Associate Professor Robert Parker (Chair of SLAM)  aims to encourage and inform Early Career and other psychiatrists in pursuit of a career in Leadership and Management.  Dr. Peggy Brown AO is currently one of three Commissioners appointed to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. She formerly held roles including Senior Clinical Advisor at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care; Chief Executive Officer of the National Mental Health Commission; Director-General, ACT Health; Chief Psychiatrist/Director of Mental Health in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory; and an NHS International Fellow in the United Kingdom. She has also served on several Boards (including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Health Workforce Australia, the National eHealth Transition Authority, Healthscope (Advisory Board). In January 2018, she was admitted as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medical administration in the area of mental health through leadership roles at the state and national level, to the discipline of psychiatry, to education and to health care standards. Prof Brett Emerson AM is a psychiatrist and currently a medical member of the Qld Mental Health Review Tribunal, Chair, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (Queensland Branch) and a Member of the Qld Mental Health Commission Council. He is a Board Director and medical assessor of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS). He is the former Executive Director of Metro North Mental Health, covering the mental health services at RBWH,TPCH, Caboolture and Redcliffe Hospital catchments in North Brisbane. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017 for significant service to psychiatry and medical administration.Professor Brett Emmerson - UQ Researchers Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

Life throws up a lot of options, challenges and choices and death comes to us all.  Voluntary assisted dying is an end of life option for  a small number of people in Australia but has brought about a lot of conversation and debate.  In this podcast Associate Professor Melanie Turner who is a psychiatrist and also the presiding in member of the Voluntary assisted dying Review Board of South Australia speaks to Dr Ava Carter about assisted dying.  VAD started on January 31 2023 in South Australia and it has been an interesting journey to see the evolution of VAD in that time. The podcast covers what voluntary assisted dying is; how it is offered and the aspects of grief, loss and death when a death is planned. Prof Melanie Turner is an Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide and works as a child and adolescent psychiatrist in private practice in South Australia.  Mel is also an elected board director on the RANZCP Board, is the presiding member of the voluntary assisted dying review board in South Australia as well as a Member of the Medical Board of South Australia and a director on the board of Mental Health Australia. Dr Ava Carter is dual qualified in Dentistry and Medicine and is the Senior Psychiatric Registrar in the ACT. She has been a vocal advocate for accreditation and governance since her time at Griffith University as an academic supervisor and lecturer as a dentist and currently works with the Canberra Regional Accreditation Committee and was appointed to the Council in 2021. She is keenly engaged in JMO teaching and academic supervision of ANU medical students, and an enthusiastic promoter of clinical psychiatry, research, and clinical teaching, both within mental health services and across the general hospital. Her interests include consultation liaison psychiatry, the interface of dentistry and psychiatry, and medical education. Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, a group of women psychiatrists working across rural and remote Australia and New Zealand talk about their experiences.  The main points covered were: what attracted them to the work, the benefits and what have they gained from their experience, how their careers have developed, their family's experience, the motivations to continue working rurally or moving back to urban settings, and finally their advice for other women interested in rural psychiatry.Dr Selamawit Mulholland is a psychiatrist with a passion for remote and transcultural psychiatry.  She has lived and worked in regional, rural and remote settings across Australia.  Sela feels privileged to have worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people while learning about their experiences of wellbeing and culture, and is excited to continue her career in remote psychiatry. Dr Katharine McAlpine is a fellow completing advanced training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in regional Victoria. She has trained and worked in regional and rural communities from internship onwards and has been an advocate for improving training opportunities in these settings. She is passionate about addressing inequalities within regional training and access to mental health services within regional and rural Australia. Her interests include legal frameworks around mental health and disability rights and improving the assessment and research of neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr Emma Crampin is Deputy Chief Psychiatrist of Western Australia. Having trained in London and Melbourne, she moved with her young family to rural WA in 2012, and worked for WA's Country Health Service for 10 years. She has set up and worked in a wide range of services, from home treatment and early intervention teams in inner city London, to emergency telehealth across the vast expanse of rural and remote WA. She is interested in access, equity, social justice, innovation and good governance.Dr Nicola Lauterwein is a regional psychiatrist who has been living and working in the Kimberley for most part of the last 10 years. She is passionate about her work, especially working alongside Aboriginal colleagues and communities and she is grateful for the opportunity to share two-way knowledge. She maintains close connections to the Kimberley and is a strong advocate for training opportunities in rural and remote settings.Dr Sue Mackersey is a graduate of the University of Otago Medical School and completed Fellowship training in Australia in 1994. Dr Mackersey's work experience has been in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, public and private practice, metropolitan and rural settings and across a range of sub specialities. In the last 12 years she has been based in Tauranga and has been Clinical Director and Director of Area Mental Health Services for the Bay of Plenty and Hauora Tairawhiti. Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This Podcast recorded live at the Perth RANZCP Congress discusses research in Old Age Psychiatry presented in a free paper session. A/Prof Gary Cheung (Dementia prevalence and treatment in Maori and non-Maori), Dr Alok Rana and Dr Sandeep Reelh (Assessing dementia underdiagnosis: screening, diagnosis, and management of cognitive impairment/dementia at the Mackay Base Hospital) discuss their respective research projects, findings, clinical and policy implications with the host, A/Prof Jeffrey Looi.A/ Prof Gary Cheung (PhD FRANZCP MBChB BSc) is an academic old age psychiatrist at The University of Auckland, New Zealand. He is the current Chair of RANZCP's Subcommittee of Advanced Training in Psychiatry of Old Age.  He was awarded the 2021 Alzheimers New Zealand Fellowship to recognise his contribution to psychosocial dementia research. He is an interRAI fellow and the Chair of New Zealand interRAI Research Network. Dr Alok Rana MBBS, FRCPsych, FRANZCP, MBA is a Consultant Psychiatrist (Consultation Liaison) and Psychogeriatrician based in Mackay Queensland. He has special interest in Clinical Research, Neuropsychiatry and Neurostimulation. He finished his training in General Psychiatry with Membership of Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) before completing the specialist training in Old Age Psychiatry in UK. Dr Rana moved to Australia in 2016 to set up specialists services in Mackay including Consultation Liaison and Old Age Psychiatry services. He holds a Fellowship of the RANZCP with Advanced Certificate in Old Age Psychiatry and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry. He was awarded Fellowship of Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK (FRCPsych) in 2019.A/Prof Jeffrey Looi, MBBS Syd, MD ANU, DMedSc Melb, FRANZCP, AFRACMA, is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist, in private and public practice, and Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University Medical School. Jeffrey leads the Australian, United States, Scandinavian-Spanish Imaging Exchange (AUSSIE) and the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has received multiple research and leadership awards including: a Fulbright Scholarship and Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award.  Dr Sandeep Reelh, MD, MRCPsych (UK), Advance Trainee in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (Australia), currently working in Addiction medicine and Older Person's Mental Health at Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, Mackay Hospital and Health Services, Queensland Health. He is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University. He has been a former Psychiatry Teaching Fellow of the Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and was awarded the best Undergraduate Formal Teacher of the year at Newcastle University (UK).Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

As 2023 draws to a close, the Psych Matters team: David and Nishta, would like to thank you for your support during the year.We hope that you've enjoyed the many topics presented during 2023, and we look forward to bringing many more to you in 2024.We would especially like to thank College members and others who have generously given their time to develop and present Psych Matters.We'll be back on the 5th of January with the next episode of Psych Matters.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode of Psych Matters, doctors Maura Kenny and Linda Kader engage in conversation about the need for staff wellbeing to be a priority for healthcare settings. They also touch upon a number of issues in the healthcare industry which are crucial to explore systematically and understand ways to address to create a sustainable transformative work culture, whereby excellent care provision is there for patients, and at the same time a thriving team of staff delivering such care.Dr Maura Kenny is a consultant psychiatrist in SA Health with a longstanding specialist interest in mindfulness and self-compassion in both clinical settings and in the wellbeing of healthcare staff. In 2013 she developed a mindful self-care course, which has now been taken up around the world in a range of healthcare settings. In October 2022, Maura was appointed as the inaugural Director of Staff Wellbeing in the largest Local Health Network in SA, comprising 16,000 employees. This role is responsible for coordinating the content, promotion, implementation and evaluation of the CALHN Wellbeing Pathway, and developing a strategic plan that ensures a staff wellbeing perspective on all CALHN activities and initiatives.Dr Linda Kader is a consultant psychiatrist, psychotherapist & mindfulness teacher with a strong interest and commitment to raise and facilitate necessary conversations in healthcare leadership and management. She works at The Royal Melbourne and The Royal Children's Hospitals offering leadership & clinical care, supervision & teaching of registrars, and supporting various aspects of service development  & implementation. She is a Mentor for registrars with RANZCP, holds passion for refugee healthcare and engages in Human Rights Advocacy through her local Council committees. She brings to her daily work extensive practice and knowledge of mindfulness and compassion to nurture professional, safe and engaging working atmosphere for  her teams and all staff. Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This podcast covers the content of a workshop held at the RANZCP Perth Congress 2023. There is a discussion about the nosological status of OCD; a review of controversies and advances in psychological and pharmacological treatments;  a discussion of neuromodulation (including TMS and DBS); and finally the potential role of psychedelic assisted therapy for OCD. Prof David Castle is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Tasmania; and Co-Director, Tasmanian Centre for Mental Health Service Innovation. He has wide clinical and research interests, encompassing schizophrenia and related disorders, bipolar disorder, OCD spectrum disorders and disorders of body image. He has a longstanding interest in the impact of licit and illicit substances on the brain and body, and is actively engaged in programmes addressing the physical health of the mentally ill and the mental health of the physically ill. He has published widely in the scientific literature and is a frequent speaker at scientific meetings.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

Professor Vlasios Brakoulias is stepping down after a decade as the Editor of Australasian Psychiatry, during which the journal's impact factor has doubled, the editorial board has greatly and inclusively expanded, and there have been a host of broad-ranging and high-quality papers on the science and art of psychiatry. In this podcast, Professor Brakoulias is interviewed by Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi about his reflections and experiences as Editor of the journal.Professor Vlasios Brakoulias, MBBS Syd, PhD Syd, FRANZCP is a psychiatrist who specialises in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, he is the Editor in Chief of Australasian Psychiatry, the Executive Director of the Western Sydney Local Health District and the Head of the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders Service which aims to deliver early intervention for these disorders. He is a Conjoint Professor with the School of Medicine of Western Sydney University, a Clinical Associate Professor with The University of Sydney and a member of the Translational Health Research Institute (THRI). He is known internationally as an expert in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders having presented at numerous international conferences and being a co-author on more than 100 peer-reviewed papers.Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist, in private and public practice, and Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University Medical School. Jeffrey leads the Australian, United States, Scandinavian-Spanish Imaging Exchange (AUSSIE) and the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has received multiple research and leadership awards including: a Fulbright Scholarship and Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award. He is an co-author on more than 255 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

Young onset dementias, including frontal lobe dementias, are dementias that occur in people less than 65 years old.  This episode discusses the challenges in diagnosing dementia in younger people, investigations including neuroimaging and cognitive testing and potential red-flags that might lead the general psychiatrist to consider a dementia diagnosis when reviewing middle-aged adults with psychiatric symptoms and conditions.A/Prof Samantha Loi is an old age psychiatrist and clinical researcher with expertise in the area of dementia.  She has worked in the area of young-onset dementia at Neuropsychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital since 2011 and has a track record of publications and invitations to speak on this topic, as well as being the current Chair of the Young-Onset Dementia Special Interest Group, current Vic Chair of the RANZCP Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age and YOD representative for the Australian Dementia Network (ADNet).A/Prof Steve Macfarlane became a psychiatrist in 2003, and was appointed Director of Aged Psychiatry at Peninsula Health in 2005. He moved to Alfred Health in 2008 as Associate Professor and Director of Aged Psychiatry, before becoming Head of Clinical Services for Dementia Support Australia in 2016.Steve is a past Chair of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age for the RANZCP, has been running Alzheimer's disease clinical trials for over 20 years, and has clinical interests in frontal lobe disorders and in senile squalor. Resources:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.51849https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36705011/Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.

This series of two podcasts explores the effective communication strategies Psychiatrists could use with their patients, and the impacts of domestic violence on patients with intellectual disability. Episode 2 focuses more on Lachlan's experience with domestic violence and the added complexity in treatment, family, and communication.Dr Dan Mirmilstein is a loving dad and husband, avid meditator, superhero fan and Lego enthusiast. He works as a psychiatry consultant in a major metropolitan health service helping people improve their mental health. He hopes to bring empathy, knowledge, skill and authenticity to his work as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and offer integrated, whole-hearted treatment to young people and their families.Lachlan Sayer is a second-year education student at RMIT. He has a leadership role at UoM in designing the curriculum for a new course that aims to teach medical students the social science and interaction strategies for patients with special cognitive or verbal difficulties.Feedback:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we'd love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.orgDisclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP's Your Health In Mind Website.