Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)

Earlier this week, RANZCP WA Branch Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry Representative Dr Adam Brett spoke with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Perth Drive about growing pressures on Western Australia's forensic mental health system ahead of the RANZCP's Justice and Mental Health Roundtable that was held in Perth yesterday. Dr Brett discussed why prisons have increasingly become the default response to unmet mental health needs, and the reforms needed to strengthen forensic mental health care, diversion pathways, rehabilitation and community treatment across Western Australia. Listen to the full interview here: Astha Tomar Angelo Virgona Murugesh Nidyananda

RANZCP NSW Branch Chair Dr ian korbel spoke with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio Illawarra Drive about the NSW Government's $270 million investment in health-led mental health emergency care. Dr Korbel welcomed the announcement as an important step in the right direction, while highlighting the need for a future expansion to 24/7 crisis support, clear pathways to specialist psychiatric care when needed, and continued investment in the mental health and peer workforce to ensure people can access ongoing treatment and support in the community. Read the #RANZCPmediarelease here: https://lnkd.in/gMCbnX-k Listen to the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gRXhF9m2 Astha Tomar Angelo Virgona

Thank you to the Hon. Bridget Archer MP, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, for joining us at the RANZCP Section of Youth Mental Health 2026 Conference in Hobart, Tasmania. The conference brought together 110 delegates from across Australia to share the latest evidence, research and ideas to strengthen youth mental health care and improve outcomes for young people. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss the importance of investing in youth mental health and fostering collaboration between clinicians, researchers, policymakers and people with lived experience to shape the future of mental health care. Pictured (L–R): Professor Ian Hickie AO, Dr Daniel Pellen (Chair, RANZCP Section of Youth Mental Health), Hon. Bridget Archer MP (Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing), and Professor Patrick McGorry AO.

RANZCP Foundation grants and scholarships worth $440,000 now open. RANZCP Fellows, Affiliates and trainees undertaking PhD, early-career or pilot research can access a range of funding and support opportunities to advance their research journey. - Barnett Researcher Award - Barnett PhD Scholarship - Foundation Partners PhD Scholarship - Beverley Raphael New Investigator Grant - Catalyst Grant - Early Research Career Grant - gamadji nanggit Scholarship - Psychotherapy Research Grant Applications close on Monday 31 August 2026: https://ow.ly/3r8b50ZsfMg

Congratulations to the seven recipients of the 2025 Beverley Raphael New Investigator Grant! The Beverley Raphael New Investigator Grant is designed to encourage those who are new to research and require a small amount of funding to conduct a small-scale study. ▶️ Dr Dean Andronis and Dr Grace House: A guideline for clozapine commencement in treatment resistant schizophrenia ▶️ Dr Ria George: Mental health experiences & needs of young people during IBD Transition – A counties Manukau perspective. ▶️ Dr Laurant Kang: Social determinants of health, epigenetic aging and their influences on cognitive trajectories for older adults. ▶️ Dr Milla McLean: Exploring blood immune markers in #psychiatricdisorders and early‑onset #dementia. ▶️ Dr Yalan Mo: #Mentalhealth staff perspectives on home visits in Aotearoa New Zealand: A cross-sectional survey. ▶️ Dr Michael Weightman: Attitudes of #medicalstudents towards artificial intelligence in #psychiatryteaching. Read more about the grant recipients: https://ow.ly/lJUV50Zsfv0  

We’re seeking Community Members to join the College and bring lived expertise, community perspectives and real-world insight to work that influences mental health policy, practice and service improvement. Your lived or living experience can help shape the future of mental health care.   Apply now to join our: 📍Family Violence Psychiatry Network Committee (applications close 10 August) 📍Queensland Branch Committee (applications close 13 August)   Across both opportunities: ✅ Remunerated committee position ✅ Flexible participation, including online meetings ✅ Supportive, inclusive and culturally safe environment ✅ Previous committee experience welcome, but not required   Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/g8iAzbsg

We’re showcasing #RANZCPmembers who have a positive impact on their communities and help build a connected, strong and thriving psychiatric profession across Australia and New Zealand. Dr Heather Collyer shared her reflections on the RANZCP Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF) and the value of finding a professional community early in training. “I’m motivated by the privilege of doing meaningful work in psychiatry, advocating for people, stepping into their worlds, and contributing to a healthier community. My personal faith is part of that motivation, because themes like healing, teaching, and advocacy align closely with how I understand the work I do.” Read more about Dr Collyer: https://ow.ly/V7hT50Zsbav

Psychiatrists see the profound and lasting mental health impacts that sexual violence can have on victim-survivors. That's why the RANZCP has joined a coalition of organisations and advocates calling for reforms that reduce the risk of re-traumatisation in the justice system, including giving victim-survivors the option to pre-record their evidence. While the stronger protections for counselling records recently announced by the NSW Government are welcome, Chair of the RANZCP Family Violence Psychiatry Network, Dr Karen Williams highlighted the need for broader reforms to reduce re-traumatisation and ensure court processes are trauma-informed, culturally safe, and designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of victim-survivors. Read the #RANZCPmediarelease here: https://lnkd.in/gdgQmNQq Read the Women's Agenda article here: https://lnkd.in/gyDaeNGs

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Workforce Report is an important read. It highlights a critical workforce shortage, but it also points to something bigger. Young people don't suddenly wake up in crisis. Most reach out well before they need specialist care. But when support isn't there, manageable challenges can escalate until they're left waiting months, or even years, for intensive mental health services. The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Australia's Health 2026 report tells a similar story. The number of 16 to 24 year olds experiencing a mental disorder has increased from 26% to 39%, while the overall population rate has remained relatively stable. In the meantime, youth workers are increasingly supporting young people with escalating mental health needs, often holding risks they were never intended or resourced to manage alone. This shouldn't point to a choice between investing in prevention, early intervention or treatment. Young people need support across the full continuum of mental health care. Youth workers and mental health clinicians bring different expertise, and they work best as part of a connected system that makes it easier for young people to get the right support, at the right time. Thanks to Jess at Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Drive Statewide for the chance to unpack why we need to invest in support across the continuum of mental health supports, not just once young people reach crisis.

Brittany Higgins has joined more than 26 advocacy organisations in calling for reform to allow sexual assault complainants to pre-record their testimony in New South Wales. In an open letter endorsded by organisations including Fair Agenda, Full Stop Australia, Women's Legal Service NSW, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), With You We Can, No to Violence, legal academics and advocates have warned that existing court rules cause unnecessary harm and distress to complainants. 📌 https://lnkd.in/gyDaeNGs