Psych Matters: Recent Episodes
RANZCP
Psych Matters is an informative and educational podcast by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Psych Matters provides regular interesting topics for psychiatrists, psychiatry trainees and others with an interest in psychiatry.
Disclaimer:
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 - RANZCP Website Terms of Use Agreement
Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website - Your Health In Mind
In this episode we delve into the history of trepanning and the practice of drilling holes into the skull for medical and spiritual purposes. Follow along Robert Kaplan's narration on the life of Amanda Fielding who self-practised the dangerous and highly risky trepanning.
Dr. Robert Kaplan is a psychiatrist, author, historian and speaker. With a career spanning medicine, history, and the courtroom, he has explored the human mind at its darkest and most complex, from analysing criminal behaviour to uncovering the psychological drivers behind some of history’s most notorious figures.
Dr. Kaplan is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney University, and the University of Wollongong. He is also a Conjoint Lecturer, Justice Health at the University of New South Wales and a Research Fellow in the History Department at Stellenbosch University. His forensic expertise has been called upon in some of the most complex and high-profile cases, where his sharp insights into human behaviour have shaped both medical and legal understandings of criminal pathology.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 podcast, we hear about an experience in psychiatric practice which has such an impact on the clinician that it leads to adopting a radical and enduring change in his subsequent clinical, teaching, and research activities. Emeritus Professor Sidney Bloch shares such an experience with Professor Shuichi Suetani which occurred in the early phase of his training. The experience proved so pivotal that it transformed key aspects of his professional work, especially his outlook on the ethical dimension of the clinician’s role. In a sensitive dialogue, Professors Suetani and Bloch discuss the ramifications of such a situation, especially the options available to identify in what way it is transformative and how to adopt the related change in one’s professional perspective.
Professor Sidney Bloch, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Academy of Social Sciences of Australia (FASSA). He was awarded a Citation by the RANZCP for his academic contribution to psychiatry. He spent three years at Stanford University on a Harkness Fellowship and has been a visiting Professor in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong, Hebrew University, and Columbia University.
He has published 16 books, several of which have been brought out in new editions and/or translated. Russia’s Political Hospitals won the prestigious Guttmacher Award of the American Psychiatric Association, Understanding Troubled Minds the SANE award for the best book on mental health in 2012, and an award for An Anthology of Psychiatric Ethics from the British Medical Association.
Professor Shuichi Suetani is a community psychiatrist in Queensland. Alongside his psychiatry training, Shuichi completed a PhD exploring the epidemiological relationships between physical activity and mental disorders. He has also obtained the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship. Shuichi has numerous publications in high impact journals and sits on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Psychiatry. He was elected to the RANZCP Board in May 2026.
References:
- Baldwin, J. Giovanni’s room, Penguin, 2007.
- David, a young American, grapples with the nature of love, sexuality and masculinity. A classic on the clash between sexual and moral identity.
- Bancroft, John. Aversion therapy of homosexuality. A pilot study of 10 cases. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1969, 115, 1417-31.
- Isherwood, C. A single man. Vintage Classic, 2010.
- A day in the life of a middle -aged academic who has lost a long-term male partner, is wrestling with his intense grief, and embarks on an encounter with Kenny, one of his students.
- Stoller, R., et al. A symposium: Should homosexuality be in the American Psychiatric Nomenclature? American Journal of Psychiatry, 1973, 130, 1207-1216.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 eye-opening episode, Dr. Matthew Macfarlane uncovers how the internet, social media, societal change, and our own psychology are fueling the rise of inflated and sometimes harmful diagnoses. Discover the surprising ways that diagnostic labels can shape identity, offering understanding and validation, while also, at times, contributing to expectations or limitations.
Associate Professor Matthew Macfarlane is a consultation-liaison psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist working at Wollongong Hospital, NSW. He also works in the Discipline Lead in Psychiatry role at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong. In these roles, he works with people with functional disorders and chronic disorders of central sensitisation and interoception. His research interests include functional neurological disorder, catatonia, neuroimaging, and sleep medicine.
References:
- Foulkes, L. and J. L. Andrews (2023). "Are mental health awareness efforts contributing to the rise in reported mental health problems? A call to test the prevalence inflation hypothesis." New Ideas in Psychology 69.
- Hacking I. “Rewriting the Soul: Multiple Personality and the Sciences of Memory.” Princeton University Press, 1998.
- O’Sullivan S. “The Age of Diagnosis.” Hachette, 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.org
Disclaimer:
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 we continue our conversation with six incredible female forensic psychiatrists as they dive into the complex issues faced by professionals working with vulnerable youth in forensic settings. From ongoing trauma to media portrayals and resource limitations, our panel shares insights, personal experiences, and advice for aspiring adolescent forensic psychiatrists.
Dr Shaileigh Gordon is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in Queensland in various roles across the public adolescent and adult forensic mental health service. She also provides private medicolegal assessments within the criminal and family court systems.
Dr Katherine Watson is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist in Queensland. She works in a variety of roles in the public and private sectors, as well as providing medicolegal assessments and reports for criminal and civil matters.
Dr Katie Niven is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Western Australia. She is currently working for the community-based Child and Adolescent Forensic Service and the Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. She also provides Psychiatric in-reach services to the Perth Children’s Court.
Dr Meredith Gray is a forensic psychiatrist, currently completing the child certificate, who has worked across various roles in NSW and Victoria, particularly in the areas of fixated threats and stalking. She is the Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist working statewide in Tasmania, where a new service is being established to provide throughcare across detention, court and community settings. She also provides private medicolegal assessments for civil and criminal matters.
Dr Annie Parsons is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in New South Wales with young people who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, the criminal justice system.
Dr Kimberley Juers is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who is currently undertaking the Certificate of Advanced Training in Forensic Psychiatry. She works across both child and adult forensic mental health services in South 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.org
Disclaimer:
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 we unlock the realities of adolescent forensic psychiatry through the voices of five pioneering women in the field. Delve into the complexities, risks, and rewards of working at the intersection of mental health, the justice system, and gender. From safety precautions to gendered challenges, this episode uncovers the nuanced experience of being a woman in one of psychiatry’s most demanding subspecialties—an area often misunderstood by the public and media alike.
Dr Shaileigh Gordon is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in Queensland in various roles across the public adolescent and adult forensic mental health service. She also provides private medicolegal assessments within the criminal and family court systems.
Dr Katherine Watson is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist in Queensland. She works in a variety of roles in the public and private sectors, as well as providing medicolegal assessments and reports for criminal and civil matters.
Dr Katie Niven is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Western Australia. She is currently working for the community-based Child and Adolescent Forensic Service and the Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. She also provides Psychiatric in-reach services to the Perth Children’s Court.
Dr Meredith Gray is a forensic psychiatrist, currently completing the child certificate, who has worked across various roles in NSW and Victoria, particularly in the areas of fixated threats and stalking. She is the Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist working statewide in Tasmania, where a new service is being established to provide throughcare across detention, court and community settings. She also provides private medicolegal assessments for civil and criminal matters.
Dr Annie Parsons is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in New South Wales with young people who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, the criminal justice system.
Dr Kimberley Juers is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who is currently undertaking the Certificate of Advanced Training in Forensic Psychiatry. She works across both child and adult forensic mental health services in South Australia.
References:
- Dr Gwen Adshead – The Reith Lectures: BBC Audio | The Reith Lectures | Gwen Adshead - Four Questions about Violence
- Dr Gwen Adshead’s and Eileen Horne’s book – The Devil You Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry: The Devil You Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry by Gwen Adshead | Goodreads
- Gray, M., Mccarthy, J., Mawren, D., Cooper, S., Simms, C., & Pathe, M. (2025). A descriptive study of young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder referred to a Fixated Threat Assessment Centre. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 32(4), 632-644. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12291179/
- The Australian Forensic Psychotherapy Association - https://www.australianforensicpsychotherapy.com.au/
- Southport inquiry
- Queensland Child Safety Commission of Inquiry: Child Safety Commission of Inquiry
- Watson, K., Harden, S., & McKeon, G. (2025). Involuntary celibacy: A brief history of the ‘Incel’ movement, and clinical considerations for psychiatrists. Australasian Psychiatry, 33(6), 896-901. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10398562251351509
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 the four and final part of the series on Psychopathology. This conversation delves into the complexities of mood disorders, exploring the distinctions between normal emotional states and pathological conditions. The discussion covers various aspects of mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, melancholia, self-harm, and mania, emphasising the importance of understanding the subjective experiences of individuals. The speakers highlight the challenges faced by clinicians in emergency settings and the need for a nuanced approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Vinesh Gupta DPM, MRCPsych, FRANZCP, PGCME is an accomplished psychiatric reporter with extensive experience in child, adolescent, and forensic psychiatry, currently serving as the Medical Co-Director at the Royal Perth Hospital. Dr Gupta is recognised for his leadership roles and his significant contributions to mental health services and forensic psychiatry, demonstrating expertise in complex clinical situations, and multidisciplinary service provision.
Professor Femi Oyebode is honorary professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. He is the author of Sims' Symptoms in the Mind: Textbook of Descriptive Psychopathology 4-7th editions.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Join us in the third part of this series on Psychopathology. This episode as we explore the intricate world of thoughts, delusions, and formal thought disorders within psychiatric practice. Featuring expert perspectives, we delve into definitions, classifications, cultural considerations, and neurobiological models underpinning these phenomena—essential for clinicians and students alike.
Dr Vinesh Gupta DPM, MRCPsych, FRANZCP, PGCME is an accomplished psychiatric reporter with extensive experience in child, adolescent, and forensic psychiatry, currently serving as the Medical Co-Director at the Royal Perth Hospital. Dr Gupta is recognised for his leadership roles and his significant contributions to mental health services and forensic psychiatry, demonstrating expertise in complex clinical situations, and multidisciplinary service provision.
Professor Femi Oyebode is honorary professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. He is the author of Sims' Symptoms in the Mind: Textbook of Descriptive Psychopathology 4-7th editions.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 second part of this series delves into the fascinating world of perception, exploring normal sensations, illusions, hallucinations, and their cultural influences. Join us as we discuss how the brain constructs reality, the differences between true and pseudo-hallucinations, and the impact of cultural backgrounds on psychiatric assessment.
Dr Vinesh Gupta DPM, MRCPsych, FRANZCP, PGCME is an accomplished psychiatric reporter with extensive experience in child, adolescent, and forensic psychiatry, currently serving as the Medical Co-Director at the Royal Perth Hospital. Dr Gupta is recognised for his leadership roles and his significant contributions to mental health services and forensic psychiatry, demonstrating expertise in complex clinical situations, and multidisciplinary service provision.
Professor Femi Oyebode is honorary professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. He is the author of Sims' Symptoms in the Mind: Textbook of Descriptive Psychopathology 4-7th editions.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 conversation, Dr Vinesh Gupta and Professor Femi Oyebode discuss the critical role of psychopathology in psychiatry, the evolution of the DSM, and the implications of pathologising human behaviour. They explore the importance of understanding hallucinations within cultural contexts, the impact of efficiency on psychiatric practice, and the necessity of empathy and attentive listening in clinical settings. The discussion also highlights the interplay between physical and mental health, emphasising the need for a holistic approach to psychiatric assessment and treatment.
Dr Vinesh Gupta DPM, MRCPsych, FRANZCP, PGCME is an accomplished psychiatric reporter with extensive experience in child, adolescent, and forensic psychiatry, currently serving as the Medical Co-Director at the Royal Perth Hospital. Dr Gupta is recognised for his leadership roles and his significant contributions to mental health services and forensic psychiatry, demonstrating expertise in complex clinical situations, and multidisciplinary service provision.
Professor Femi Oyebode is honorary professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. He is the author of Sims' Symptoms in the Mind: Textbook of Descriptive Psychopathology 4-7th editions.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 explores the impact of storytelling in psychiatry, emphasising how narratives shape identity and influence recovery. Dr Rory Hutchinson, Ms Bianca Millroy and A/Prof Warren Ward discuss their personal experiences with functional neurological disorder, the role of the medical gaze, and the importance of lived experience in understanding mental health. They delve into narrative medicine as a framework for enhancing patient care and the therapeutic value of reframing narratives. The discussion highlights the need for empathy, curiosity, and the power of stories in the healing process.
Dr Rory Hutchinson is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Jacaranda Place, Queensland Adolescent Extended Treatment Centre. He also works in private practice and is a Senior Lecturer at Griffith University. His clinical and academic work is strongly informed by an interest in the medical humanities, particularly the intersection between humanities and psychiatric clinical practice.
A/Prof Warren Ward is Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Ramsay Clinic New Farm. He has published more than 30 articles and 2 book chapters on eating disorders. He also writes on philosophy and cultural history, and in 2022 his first book Lovers of Philosophy: How the Intimate Lives of Seven Philosophers Shaped Modern Thought became a number one bestseller on Amazon’s philosophy list. In 2025, his second book, Renourish: How to Recover From an Eating Disorder, co-authored with Lexi Crouch, was released by Pan Macmillan.
Bianca Millroy (she/her) is a writer, editor, and podcaster with a passion for science-informed storytelling. She is undertaking a PhD at The University of Queensland where her practice-led thesis "Caput Nebula" (Head of Fog) combines Creative Nonfiction, Narrative Medicine and neuroscience to "rewrite" the narrative of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), based on her own lived experience. Bianca lives and writes in Meanjin (Brisbane) on Yuggera/Turrbal Country. Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn.
- Lovers of Philosophy: How the Intimate Lives of Seven Philosophers Shaped Modern Thought: Ward, Warren
- Renourish: A complete and compassionate guide to recovery from eating disorders - Pan Macmillan Australia
- Caput Nebula (excerpt) by Bianca Millroy - a creative nonfiction essay published by Science Write Now
- Hysteria (memoir) by Katerina Bryant - a hybrid memoir and nonfiction exposé on Katerina's lived experience and the history of 'hysteria'
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, we delve into the transformative journey of the Ophelia Project, a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing mental health care for children and adolescents across the Pacific region. Join Dr. Kartika Goundar, Dr. Paul Robertson, and Brigid Ryan as they discuss the challenges and successes of building a sustainable mental health network through the Online Pacific Health Exchange. Discover how this project has fostered international partnerships, empowered local healthcare workers, and addressed critical mental health needs in remote communities. Tune in to learn about the innovative approaches and heartfelt stories that are shaping the future of mental health care in the Pacific.
Brigid Ryan, M.Public Health, B.A: Brigid Ryan is a Program Manager with St. Vincent’s Mental Health International Unit, and is studying with the University of New South Wales, School of Population Health. Brigid has worked with health workers from the Asia and Pacific region in the areas of community mental health and recovery, HIV/AIDS and prevention of violence against women. Over the last 15 years, Brigid has co-ordinated the Postgraduate Overseas Specialist Training (POST) program, focusing on training and capacity-building in community mental health and recovery, and fostering international collaborations.
Associate Prof. Paul Robertson: Assoc Prof Paul Robertson is a Victorian Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist working for the Victorian Dept of Health and Bendigo Health CAMHS. He holds an academic position at The University of Melbourne based at Mindful: Centre for training and research in developmental health. Until recently Dr Robertson was Victorian Director of Advanced Training for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and active in the training and development of the child and adolescent mental health workforce. He is immediate past Chair of the binational committee of the RANZCP FCAP. He is actively engaged in international and regional engagement for improving mental health in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Kartika Goundar, MBBS, Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health: Kartika Goundar is a Lecturer at Fiji National University, teaching undergraduate students and Clinical Practice. General Psychiatric Inpatient, Outpatient, Consultant-Liaison, and Outreach services as a registrar at St Giles Hospital. Her research interests are in forensic psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and community mental health.
References:
- RANZCP's international impact | 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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This conversation explores the themes of women's leadership in psychiatry, personal journeys, the impact of feminism and intersectionality, navigating gender bias, the role of diversity, and the experiences of immigrant women in leadership roles. Dr Padmini Howpage asks Dr Astha Tomar about her insights on the challenges and triumphs faced by women in the field, emphasising the importance of empathy, resilience, and the need for structural changes to support future generations.
Dr. Astha Tomar is President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and a senior psychiatrist with more than two decades of clinical leadership across Australia and New Zealand public and private mental health systems. Throughout her career, Dr Tomar has worked at the forefront of system-level reform, contributing to service redesign aligned with major national and Victorian mental health reviews, and strengthening accountability, quality, and safety frameworks.
As President of the College, she is focused on modernising governance, strengthening training and workforce pathways, and amplifying the voice of psychiatrists in national policy debates along with a connected membership. She is passionate about equity of access, culturally responsive practice, and embedding research excellence within frontline clinical services. A committed mentor and advocate for gender equity, along with battling racism and related intersectionality, Dr Tomar's values and purpose driven, collaborative leadership style is grounded in integrity, compassion and systems thinking.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Dr Nick Kowalenko and Dr Daniel Issa explore the critical need for child and adolescent psychiatry in Cambodia, highlighting the CO-CAPIT project, which aims to provide online training for local doctors. Their discussion emphasises the importance of community engagement, international collaboration, and tailored training initiatives to address the gaps in mental health services. Challenges such as limited resources and cultural differences are acknowledged, along with the need for ongoing support and mentorship for early career psychiatrists. Dr Kowalenko and Dr Issa conclude with a call to action for greater involvement in global mental health initiatives.
Dr Nick Kowalenko is the Chair, International Projects Committee (IPC), RANZCP & was previously Chair of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry International Relations (CAPIR) Committee (2017-2025). Together with a very committed group of College members, he has shared the leadership of several workforce development, training and leadership initiatives in the Pacific and Asia.
Dr Daniel Issa is an Early Career Psychiatrist and senior CAMHS advanced trainee. He has a keen interest in the Global, Indigenous and Refugee Mental Health spaces. Daniel started Psychiatric training in Darwin with brief stints across Arnhem Land before moving to the Hunter New England Network. During training, he became the Advanced Trainee for the RANZCP Child and Adolescent Psychiatry International Relations (CAPIR) Subcommittee, now transformed into the International Projects Committee (IPC). Daniel’s Scholarly Project evaluated the effectiveness of CAPIR’s Cambodian Online Child and Adolescent Introductory Training (CO-CAPIT).
Relevant journal articles:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry International Relations (CAPIR): building bridges for psychiatry workforce capacity with Pacific Island nations
- Building capacity for child and adolescent mental health and psychiatry in Papua New Guinea
- The Vanuatu Psychiatry Mentorship Programme: supporting the development of a fledgling mental health service in the Pacific
- Addressing the specialist workforce CAMH skill-gap: providing and evaluating iCAMH training in Fiji and Papua New Guinea
- Piloting online training in the Pacific-Ophelia project for child and adolescent mental health
- Where there is No Child Psychiatry: A reflection on child mental health capacity building from Australia (WCAP)
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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.
Despite decades of reform, Māori continue to face persistent and systemic inequities within mental health services in Aotearoa. These inequities are not solely the result of limited access or funding but are deeply rooted in unconscious bias and institutional racism. Our presentation brought together the voices and lived experiences of senior Māori mental health leaders, who courageously named and examined these often-invisible forces that shape psychiatric care for Tāngata Whaiora Māori.
The session created space for honest reflection and accountability—moving beyond blame to focus on the courage required to address structural power imbalances within the system. We shared personal stories and real-world examples of bias and racism, including insights from senior psychiatrists and Māori medical students. Attendees left with greater awareness, practical tools, and a renewed commitment to creating a psychiatric profession that is not only clinically competent, but also culturally safe, responsive, and just.
Ms Phyllis Tangitu is a member of Te Kaunihera, RANZCP and has worked in the NZ Mental Health and Addictions sector for over 35 years. Phyllis has strongly advocated for the improvement of Maori Health outcomes and enabling our Whanau to flourish within and across our mental health and addictions sector/community.
Kuia Moe Milne has been directly involved in addressing mental health issues in the Māori community in her roles as a psychopaedic nurse and as a general and psychiatric nurse. Mrs Milne has contributed to Te Hau Marire, the national Māori addiction strategy, and developed several education programmes that address Māori health. She has made significant contributions to Māori research at both policy and practice levels. She was a member of the Health Research Council and she chaired the Māori health research group that developed Te Ara Tika to improve research ethics with Māori. Her involvement has resulted in several important services for Māori, including an assessment tool for Māori with Alzheimer’s and support for Māori children with traumatic brain injuries. For the last decade she has been an active participant in the International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development, promoting awareness of health issues in Māori communities. She has spoken at a wide range of conferences within New Zealand and overseas to share her experiences and knowledge of health issues facing indigenous communities. For the past five years she has developed and delivered training in cultural competency within health services. Mrs Milne has been a member of the Māori committee of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists for almost 20 years.
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Disclaimer:
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, we delve into the fascinating world of writing disorders, exploring the intricate connections between creativity, neurology, and mental health. From the compulsive scribbles of hypergraphia to the challenges of agraphia, we uncover how these conditions have influenced some of history's most renowned figures, including Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the mind and the profound impact of writing on civilisation.
Dr. Robert Kaplan is a psychiatrist, author, historian and speaker. With a career spanning medicine, history, and the courtroom, he has explored the human mind at its darkest and most complex, from analysing criminal behaviour to uncovering the psychological drivers behind some of history’s most notorious figures.
Dr. Kaplan is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney University, and the University of Wollongong. He is also a Conjoint Lecturer, Justice Health at the University of New South Wales and a Research Fellow in the History Department at Stellenbosch University. His forensic expertise has been called upon in some of the most complex and high-profile cases, where his sharp insights into human behaviour have shaped both medical and legal understandings of criminal pathology.
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Disclaimer:
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, Jason Haitana and Kaumatua Ronald Baker explore the historical and contemporary challenges faced by the Māori community in accessing mental health services. They discuss the impact of historical events, such as wars and legislative changes, on Māori well-being and highlight the ongoing struggle for adequate funding and resources. The conversation also touches on the importance of cultural practices and the revitalization of te reo Māori in strengthening community resilience. The hosts emphasise the need for investment in future generations to ensure a healthier, more prosperous future for Māori.
Jason Haitana belongs to the peoples of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Whanganui and Ngāti Maru Wharanui. He is employed as a Principal Advisor Lived Experience with Te Whatu Ora. He currently sits as a community member with the Colleges Kaunihera.
Kaumatua Ronald Baker (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Te Whānau o Rongomaiwahine) is a respected Māori mental health leader with nearly 40 years of service. Born in Hastings and raised in Tāmaki, he pioneered culturally grounded mental health care, establishing New Zealand’s first Māori mental health unit and later the marae‑based Manawanui Māori Mental Health Unit. His work spans clinical leadership, cultural training, and international Indigenous research, recognised through prestigious fellowships. Ronald currently serves as Kaumātua for Te Rau Ora’s Centre of Māori Suicide Prevention and Kaumātua for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, continuing to influence Māori mental health through cultural integrity, advocacy, and mentoring.
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Disclaimer:
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 podcast we dive into the vital topic of cultural safety—what it means in practice, how it shapes the wellbeing of diverse communities, and why it remains a cornerstone of effective and compassionate mental-health care in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia!
Dr. Ramya Vadivel is a psychiatrist and the New Zealand representative for the Section of Early Career Psychiatrists (SECP) at RANZCP. She has experience in general adult and addictions psychiatry and has contributed to mental health research, including studies on COVID-19's impact on mental health and addictions.
Dr. Charlie Mentzel is a psychiatrist and academic acting as a Senior Lecturer at University of Otago and practising clinician. With a PhD in movement disorders in severe mental illness. She serves as Co-Convenor of the 2025 RANZCP New Zealand Conference.
Prof Richard Harvey is a psychiatrist in private practice based in Victoria. He is a deputy chair of the Policy, Practice and Partnerships Committee. He holds an academic position at Deakin University in Geelong. He was co-chair of the Code of Ethics review steering group.
Sam Farr is the first “Lived & Living Experience Senior Adviser (Consumer)” at RANZCP. Drawing on his own experience as a mental-health consumer, he now works as a practitioner and focuses on service-design and system change. His goal is to ensure lived experience informs psychiatry policy and practice within the College.
Kate Fulford is a pharmacist and health-service innovator invited by RANZCP for her work supporting marginalised and First Nations communities. She leads strategy and clinical innovation at a primary-care centre and champions equitable access to healthcare.
Dr. Mark Lawrence is a Māori adult psychiatrist working in Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand. He serves as a Board Director at RANZCP and advocates strongly for Māori mental-health equity. He also lectures in psychiatry at the University of Auckland.
Dr. Angelo Virgona is a veteran psychiatrist with decades of clinical, private-practice, and service-administration experience. He chaired RANZCP’s NSW Branch and was elected President-Elect in 2025, focusing on improving mental-health access and service delivery.
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Disclaimer:
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.
From the team at the Psych Matters podcast, we would like to thank you for supporting us on our journey this year. We have had over 25 releases and have reached over 210,000 listens. We would like to thank all our guest speakers and our audience for their contributions and support. Happy Holidays!
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Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
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 podcast, Dr Georgia Ramsden (Chair of the Binational Committee of Trainees) and Dr Ashna Basu (RANZCP Board Director, Chair of the Trainees’ Advisory Council) discuss the various trainee representative structures at the college, how they work and intertwine, the great efforts of trainee representatives across the College, and how you can get involved!
Dr Ashna Basu is a Stage 3 trainee in Sydney who serves as the appointed director, trainee on the RANZCP Board of Directors and Chair of the Trainees’ Advisory Council. She is a former RANZCP NSW Trainee Representative and wears other hats, including as Chair of the Young branch of the Medical Women’s International Association.
Dr Georgia Ramsden is a Stage 3 trainee based in Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand. She is currently the Chair of the Bi-national Committee for Trainees, previously representing New Zealand on the committee.
References:
- Bi-national Committee for Trainees
- Trainees' Advisory Council
- Position Description - Appointed Director, Trainee
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Disclaimer:
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 James Le Bas, a retired psychiatrist, shares his personal journey with Prof Richard Newton through mental illness and the stigma associated with it. He discusses the concept of 'brash humility,' the impact of his experiences on his professional identity, and the importance of open conversations in reducing stigma. The dialogue explores the intersection of patient and psychiatrist experiences, the role of supervision, and the therapeutic power of writing. Ultimately, they emphasise the need for empathy and understanding within the mental health profession.
Dr James Le Bas PhD had his career in psychiatry awakened in a locked ward in Manilla, the first of four hospitalisations for psychosis, depression, and mania. He is a devotee of community psychiatry and dates the birth of social value (prestige), which is implicit in mood disorders, at around fifty thousand years ago as societies sought cohesive strategies required for life. His website and book can be found at beyondbipolar.com.au.
Prof Richard Newton is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Monash University, a consultant psychiatrist in Youth Mental Health at Peninsula Health. He is the recent past Clinical Director of Peninsula Health and has a private practice specialising in eating disorders. He is a Board Member of the RANZCP where he chairs the finance committee, Wellways, where he chairs the Quality and Safety Committee, and he also serves on the boards of Mental Health Victoria and the World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Australia.
In 2021 Richard was awarded the RANZCP College Citation for his contributions to psychiatry in Australia. In 2009 Professor Newton received the RANZCP’s Margaret Tobin Award, which acknowledged his valuable contributions to administrative psychiatry. Professor Newton is also an academic psychiatrist who has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles or book chapters.
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Disclaimer:
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 experiences and insights of the transition to retirement in psychiatry. Dr Joanna MacDonald, Dr Brian Craig, Dr Graeme Croft, Dr Nick O’Connor, and A/Prof Chanaka Wijeratne share personal stories, emphasizing the need for mentorship, community involvement, and the significance of maintaining social connections post-retirement. The discussion covers the challenges faced during retirement, the importance of financial planning, and the emotional aspects of leaving a long-term career in medicine. They include practical advice for those approaching retirement, highlighting the importance of flexibility and the potential for a fulfilling retirement life.
Dr Joanna MacDonald (TTRWG Chair) is from Wellington in Aotearoa/New Zealand. She was a member of the TTWRG from its inception, and took over as Chair from Dr Nick O’Connor, in 2024. She worked as a community psychiatrist for 44 yrs before retiring from paid employment in 2021. In addition she was an academic psychiatrist, member of the MCNZ and Chair of its Health Committee, Director of training and held various roles on binational College committees.
Dr Nick O’Connor retired in May 2024 at age 67. He worked in NSW Health services for 43 years including as Area and Clinical Director of mental health services. Nick’s 7-year term on the College Board and 6-year term on the Education Committee including 4 years as Chair concluded in 2024.
Dr Brian Craig is a retired Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and an IMG from Scotland. He holds specialist qualifications in both UK and Australasian Colleges and was a Clinical Director and worked in inpatient and outpatient services in Christchurch New Zealand. He was an IMG practice reviewer for the NZMC and was also actively involved with the medical specialist union ASMS being made a life member in 2014. He has been a member of the TTWRG since its inception.
A/Prof Chanaka Wijeratne graduated in medicine from UNSW and trained in old age psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, London. He is a clinician who divides his time between public and private practice. He is Clinical Lead of Older Persons' Mental Health at Prince of Wales Hospital. He has a longstanding interest in doctors' health, in particular late career practitioners and doctors from an ethnically and racially diverse background, and in medical regulation
Dr Graeme Croft’s career in psychiatry included public and private practice and work as a psychiatrist with the Mental Health Review Board. His retirement from practice in 2011 provided him with an opportunity to develop his longstanding interest in music and music performance, and he successfully undertook tertiary studies in music (Bachelor of Music and then Master of Fine Art (Research)). He is now actively involved as a musician, in community music.
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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, we will address the critical issue of power and privilege in psychiatric leadership. Power dynamics and privilege can significantly impact care, collaboration and co-leadership. We'll explore strategies for redistributing power, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. Our conversation will cover the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and cultural humility in mitigating the effects of power and privilege.
Sarah Wilson is a leading international researcher in brain and mental health with a sustained track record in research translation embedded in co-design with people with lived experience. She is a Clinical Neuropsychologist with more than 30 years of experience in the Victorian public and private health sectors and has more than 15 years of executive and senior leadership.
Emily Unity is an award-winning lived and living experience leader and advocate. They are passionate about creating change through disrupting traditional systems and amplifying intersectional voices. Emily is informed by their lived and living experiences, including mental ill-health, disability, LGBTQIA+, multiculturalism, neurodivergence, homelessness, family violence, and more.
Dr Kerryn Rubin is Clinical Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Peninsula Health, an adjunct Senior Lecturer at Monash University, and a previous Chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry’s Victorian Branch. Kerryn has over 2 decades of experience in public and private mental health services. Kerryn is a passionate advocate for trauma-informed care, and the reduction of restrictive interventions, whilst maintaining safe and therapeutic hospital environments.
Dr Phyllis Chua is a Consultation-Liaison psychiatrist at the Austin Hospital and Calvary Health Care Bethlehem. She has an interest in medical education and was involved in different teaching roles for university undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as the RANZCP registrar training program. She is currently the chair of CEEMR. Her research interests are in neuropsychiatry and medical education.
Resources:
- https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-collaborative-centre
- https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/3392215/Coproduction_putting-principles-into-practice.pdf
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Disclaimer:
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 honour of ADHD Awareness Month, we're excited to share a special short episode on Adult ADHD, presented by Dr. Smita Verma.
The concept of normality is pivotal in diagnosing adult ADHD, as common behaviours like distractibility or impulsivity, universal to human experience, only warrant a diagnosis when they cause significant functional impairment in specific contexts. A global shortage of ADHD stimulants reflects rising demand, with social media platforms like TikTok being one of the contributing factors. On TikTok, #adhdtest videos often oversimplify ADHD, as evident during my research on the quality of information on #adhdtest, presenting normal behaviours like forgetfulness as diagnostic, while trends like “SLAY-DHD” glamorise the condition, encouraging self-diagnosis. Diagnosing adult ADHD is complex due to subjective symptom assessment, necessitating careful differentiation between normal responses to modern life’s demands and pathological symptoms. Clinicians must consider cultural, personal, and environmental contexts, using collateral input to validate childhood impairments and rule out conditions like anxiety or burnout, ensuring accurate diagnosis and judicious stimulant use, given their uncertain long-term safety.
Dr Smita Verma, MBBS is a psychiatry registrar at Waikato Hospital's Mental Health & Addiction Services in Hamilton, New Zealand, currently pursuing a Certificate in Adult Psychiatry through the RANZCP training program.
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Disclaimer:
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, Professor Mal Hopwood and Professor Colleen Loo discuss the introduction of esketamine to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. They explore the mechanism of action of esketamine, its clinical trials, practical applications, treatment protocols, costs, safety monitoring, and the importance of informed consent. The conversation emphasises the need for proper patient expectations and long-term treatment considerations in managing treatment-resistant depression.
Professor 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.
Professor 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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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, we explore ethical leadership in psychiatry, particularly in the context of the Royal Commission into Mental Health Care. Dr Nardine Elzahaby leads the discussion with Professor Sharon Lawn, Kerry Hawkins, and Professor Neeraj Gill on incorporating lived experience into decision-making and the need for systemic transformation to better serve patients and families. This conversation delves into the complexities of ethical leadership, exploring themes such as power dynamics, cultural humility, and reflective practice. The speakers discuss psychiatry’s historical context, the responsibilities of mental health professionals, and the need for systemic change to address disparities in care.
Victorian Psychiatrist Leadership Development Framework
Dr Nardine Elzahaby is a Consultation-Liaison psychiatrist and the unit Director of the Adult Mental Health Service at Dandenong hospital, Monash Health. She runs a Telehealth Psychiatry clinic. She is a former co-founder, co-director and tutor at IMGSOS, an online tutoring business for IMG and local graduates of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry. She is interested in Telehealth implementation and the use of AI in psychiatry, business, mentoring and doctors’ health.
Professor Sharon Lawn is the Executive Director of Lived Experience Australia with over 24 years of Lived Experience advocacy, 23 years as a mental health professional, and similar period as a mental health researcher focused on consumer and family perspectives and experiences of healthcare systems. Professor Lawn is involved in a number of state and national committees, including as a Board Director for Mental Health Australia and the Australian Self-Care Alliance.
Ms Kerry Hawkins from a Lived Experience perspective as a family member. Her interests lie in systems transformation. She is a graduate of Boston University's Global Leadership Institute's Recovery Class of 2013 and returned this year from a Churchill Scholarship investigating international rights-based contemporary approaches to mental health that recognise the integral role of families in mental health.
Professor Neeraj Gill is a psychiatrist at Gold Coast Health. 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. 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.
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Disclaimer:
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 Mathew Coleman interviews Professor Bruce Singh and Professor Pat McGorry as they explore the experiences and insights of rural psychiatry in Australia. They also discuss the challenges and rewards of providing mental health services in regional areas, the importance of community engagement, and the need for training and mentorship for future psychiatrists. The dialogue emphasises the value of continuity of care, leadership, and the social contract that exists between healthcare professionals and the communities they serve. The speakers advocate for increased resources and support for rural mental health services, highlighting the potential for positive change in the field.
Professor Bruce Singh AM 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. He is currently Chair of the RANZCP Mood Disorders Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Evidence Review Steering Group.
Professor Patrick D. McGorry is a professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and Director of Orygen Youth Health and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre in Victoria, Australia. Prof McGorry received his medical degree from the University of Sydney and his doctorates from Monash University and the University of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. He is a world-leading clinician, researcher, and reformer in the areas of early psychosis, early intervention and youth mental health. Prof McGorry's work has played an integral role in the development of safe, effective treatments and innovative research involving the needs of young people with emerging mental disorders, notably psychotic and severe mood disorders. The result has been the creation, evaluation and upscaling of stigma-free, holistic and recovery oriented models of care for young people and their families. The work of Prof McGorry and key research colleagues at EPPIC and Orygen has influenced health policy in Australia and many other countries and he has advised governments and health systems in many jurisdictions.
Associate Professor Mathew Coleman is a consultant psychiatrist with the WA Country Health Service, Clinical Director for the Midwest Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol 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 is the chair of the Binational Section for Rural Psychiatry for the RANZCP.
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Disclaimer:
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.
Recorded live at the RANZCP 2025 Congress in the Gold Coast, this podcast features members of the Section of Private Practice Psychiatry. Dr Michelle Atchison and Dr Gary Galambos join host A/Prof Jeffrey Looi to discuss the benefits and challenges of telehealth in psychiatry. They also explore the future of private practice psychiatry in the context of developments in telehealth, digital technology and the private healthcare sector.
A/Prof Jeffrey Looi, MBBS Syd, MD ANU, DMedSc Melb, FRANZCP, AFRACMA, FAMA, is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist in private practice and leads the Social Psychiatry and Epidemiology Research Unit at the School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University. He conducts research in health services, health policy and neuroscience, and is Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal Australasian Psychiatry.
Jeffrey has received numerous research and leadership awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship, the Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award, and Fellowship of the AMA. He is a co-author of over 375 peer-reviewed papers, with 6,056 citations and an h-index of 36.
Dr Michelle Atchison is a private psychiatrist based in Adelaide, where she runs a practice focused on military psychiatry and independent medical examinations (IMEs) in civil law. She has been a strong advocate for private psychiatry within the College and is a former Chair of the Section of Private Practice Psychiatry.
She currently serves as an elected Board Director of the College and is Chair of the Education Committee.
Dr Gary Galambos is Chair of the Binational Section of Private Practice Psychiatry for the RANZCP, Associate Professor at the Medical School of the University of Notre Dame, and Medical Director of the Uspace Young Adult Mental Health Service at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney. At Uspace, he has established a medtech incubator and R&D innovation program focused on developing advanced treatment programs for OCD, TRD and ADHD.
He is the founder of the mental health utility platform MindSkiller.com, designed to support these programs through the integration of next-generation technologies. MindSkiller incorporates digital CBT interventions using VR and scent-based devices, person-centred shared care models with single- or multi-team case management software, remote psychiatric governance and a consent-based approach to data sharing. It also includes a service-based care pathway form tailored to individual consumer needs, enabling integration of all clinical activities, as well as additional digital tools such as telehealth-enabled eLearning modules.
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Disclaimer:
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 on Female phenotype in Autism and implications for clinical care in psychiatry explores the autistic characteristics in women and girls - often referred to as the female phenotype - which suggests that autistic women and girls have characteristics that are different from the traditional profile observed in males and boys and may be missed. For example, females may have more social skills and are more likely to mask their difficulties and camouflage autistic traits. While the features of female phenotype fit into current diagnostic criteria, they may be expressed in ways that exclude them from traditional methods of assessing and diagnosing autism. Moreover, because research on autistic females is lacking, our understanding is limited. For example, there may be more mental health challenges and burn out from camouflaging, and this has clinical implications for both assessment and management.
Prof Valsamma Eapen is Professor and Chair of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney & Head, Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney (AUCS). Eapen is also Director of BestSTART Child Health Academic unit; Chair, Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, RANZCP; and Treasurer and President Elect of International Neuropsychiatry Association. Clinically trained in India and the UK, Eapen completed advanced training in Child Psychiatry at the Great Ormond Street Hospital Rotational Scheme and Institute of Child Health, and PhD from University of London with research on Tourette Syndrome undertaken at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Known internationally for expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and Tourette Syndrome, Eapen’s work focuses on health equity.
Dr Pramudie Gunaratne is the current Chair of the NSW Branch of Psychiatrists and has previously completed a term with the Board of Directors for the RANZCP as the inaugural Director from the trainee cohort. She has received multiple awards, including the World Psychiatric Association Early Career Psychiatrists Fellowship and a Fellowship in Intellectual Disability Neuropsychiatry with the Health Education and Training Institute. Pramudie has been a consultant to the Brain Health Unit at the World Health Organization in Geneva where her work centred on improving research and diagnostic rates for dementia in low- and middle-income countries. She is the co-founder of Seriph Clinics, a specialist private service caring for people with complex neuropsychiatric disorders. She is also a Research Fellow at the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN).
References/Resources
- Autism in women and girls | Autism Awareness Australia
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Disclaimer:
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 delves into the complex issue of elder abuse, exploring its various forms, including financial and institutional abuse, and the impact of ageism on care for older adults. Dr Yoram Barak and Professor Henry Brodaty discuss the importance of public awareness, education, and the need for systemic changes to address the vulnerabilities faced by the elderly. They emphasise the role of family dynamics and societal expectations in perpetuating abuse and highlight the necessity for community engagement and advocacy to combat these issues.
Dr Yoram Barak is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Otago School of Medicine, Dunedin and consultant psychogeriatrician at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Southern (formerly SDHB). He is the convenor for 4th year students in the Department of Psychological Medicine.
He trained in medicine and psychiatry at the Sackler School of Medicine. In 1993, he became an Israel Medical Scientific Council Specialist in psychiatry, and in 2004 was awarded a Master in Health Administration from Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Dr Barak was the medical director of Israel’s inpatient psychiatric services for Holocaust survivors for 25 years. He is past president of the Israeli Association of Old Age Psychiatry, and the associate editor for Aging Psychiatry of the Frontiers in psychiatry. Dr Barak serves on the board of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age for RANZCP.
Dr Barak's research interests include a wide range of psychiatric conditions with special emphasis on old age psychiatry, dementia prevention, and suicide. He has published extensively in these areas, and he is an author and co-author of over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles. His book "Preventing Alzheimer's Disease" has been published in the US.
Professor Henry Brodaty is a researcher, clinician, policy advisor, and strong advocate for people with dementia and their carers. At UNSW Sydney, he is scientia professor of Ageing and Mental Health and co-director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing. He has published extensively, is a senior psychogeriatrician at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney. He serves on multiple committees for the NSW and Australian governments and WHO.
References/Resources:
- Older people - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
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Disclaimer:
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 Kym Jenkins shares her journey in psychiatry, discussing her leadership roles, the challenges faced in asylum seeker health, and the importance of peer support in mental health. She reflects on her early life influences, the issue of substance abuse in the medical profession, and the need for cultural changes in medical training. Dr Jenkins emphasises the significance of mentorship and supervision in psychiatry, while also offering advice for aspiring female leaders in the field. The discussion concludes with a focus on personal wellbeing and the impact of healthcare professionals on their patients' lives.
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.
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).
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Disclaimer:
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 explores the implementation and challenges of Competency-Based Medical Education within the RANZCP Fellowship Program. It features insights from medical educators and trainees on the importance of flexible assessments, effective feedback, and the role of supervisors in fostering a supportive learning environment. The discussion emphasises the need for a curriculum that aligns with workplace realities and the significance of faculty development in enhancing educational practices.
This podcast was recorded following a symposium at the RANZCP Congress 2025 on CBME.
Prof Andrew Teodorczuk is a consultant old age psychiatrist and Director of Clinical Training at the Prince Charles Hospital, and Adjunct Professor at The University of Queensland. He has published over 100 papers and is recognised for his work in interprofessional education, work-based learning and wellbeing, earning awards including the Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA).
Dr Anthony Llewellyn is a general and adult psychiatrist working within the RANZCP Education team, providing academic leadership in education and assessment design for the Fellowship Program. With experience across the full spectrum of medical education, including roles in the Hunter New England Psychiatry Training Program and as Executive Medical Director of HETI NSW, he brings extensive expertise to the role.
Julie Hatty has been CEO of the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria since 2019. With a background in clinical nursing and previous experience as Director of Medical Workforce at Eastern Health Melbourne, she has led key initiatives including the rollout of the National Framework for Prevocational Medical Trainees.
Dr Sarah Rickman is Medical Director at the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria and a practising Emergency Physician. She has extensive experience in prevocational medical education, including roles with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. At PMCV, she has led stakeholder collaboration and training efforts to support the implementation of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in Victoria.
Dr Simon Fleming is a consultant orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon, medical education PhD, and internationally recognised advocate for culture change. A former trainee leader, he held roles with the UK Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and British Orthopaedic Trainees’ Association. He's a founding board member of the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance and sits on the NIHR Clinical Education Incubator board.
Dr Georgia Ramsden is a stage three psychiatry trainee working in Older Adult Mental Health in Palmerston North, New Zealand. As Chair of the Binational Committee for Trainees, she sits on several RANZCP committees and has gained different perspectives of the College’s operations.
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Disclaimer:
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 Elizabeth Moore, who has recently completed her term as president. They reflect on Dr Moore’s formative years, her entry into psychiatry, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a predominantly male profession. The conversation also explores key topics such as the ‘Yes’ campaign for Aboriginal representation, the importance of cultural safety in mental health, and the role of epigenetics in psychiatric care. Dr Moore also shares her insights on leadership, work-life balance and the future of mental health advocacy, highlighting the importance of collaboration and cultural understanding in advancing mental health care.
Dr Elizabeth Moore served as the president of the RANZCP from 2023 to 2025. Born in Malaya and educated in England and Australia, she completed her medical degree at the University of Adelaide before attaining Fellowship of the RANZCP in 1990.
Dr Moore has extensive experience across public and private hospital and community settings. She has held both clinical and administrative roles in psychiatry in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. She is also the inaugural ACT Coordinator-General of the Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 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.pdf
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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 Ng
Dr Marion Lustig
Dr Ishan Walpola
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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 Strausshas 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 wellbeing
- White Paper on the science of awe, which describes the impact of training in competencies which overlap with psychedelic mystical experience
- Compassion Focused therapy in psychedelic assisted th
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 data
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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 consultations
COVID-19 medicare benefits schedule telehealth for private psychiatric care
Comparison of out-of-pocket costs of Medicare-funded consultations
Trends of MBS telepsychiatry & consultant physician telehealth services
Client perspectives
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Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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/10.1177/10398562231211137
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Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 su
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.
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Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
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Disclaimer:
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 busy
CAMHS 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).
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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/New
Zealand. 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 and
paediatrician 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 in
Otautahi/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 Aotearoa
Be There NZ
Storm Clouds & Rainbows (Resource for Parents of Gender Diverse Youth)
WPATH Standards of Care Version 8
NZ Primary Care Guidelines
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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 | RANZCP
Professor 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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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/mja2.51849
https://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.org
Disclaimer:
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 1 is an introduction to Lachlan Sayer and his experiences living with intellectual disability and interactions with Psychiatrists.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 senior trainees Dr Ava Carter, Dr Matthew Brazel and A/Prof Jeffrey Looi discuss trainee and psychiatrist burnout. The episode covers the definition, research on burnout in Trainee and Psychiatrists, as well as the broader literature, medical student and career experiences, and evidence-based management. The podcast is based on a paper co-authored, with Professors Stephen Allison, Tarun Bastiampillai, Steve Kisely, Jeffrey Looi and Drs Paul Maguire and Matthew Brazel.
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.
Dr Matthew Brazel is an advanced trainee in Psychiatry of Old Age at the Canberra Hospital and the Academic Fellow at the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine within the Australian National University Medical School. He is a passionate advocate for psychiatry training for medical students and junior medical officers. His research interests include the neurobiology of depression, old age psychiatry and health resourcing. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, reading and running after his two young children.
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.
Further Resources:
Australasian Psychiatry (trainees and psychiatrists can login through the RANZCP website to access): https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10398562221124798
MJA : https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51714
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Intellectual Disability (ID) in children is characterised by significant difficulties in both intellectual functioning (e.g. understanding and communicating, memory and executive functioning, learning, problem solving) and adaptive behaviour (e.g. activities of daily living and everyday routines and social skills). To help those with ID reach their full potential, early identification and intervention are critical. Since they are more likely to have additional disabilities and/or co-morbid conditions such as other neurodevelopmental (e.g. autism, ADHD, tics) and mental health (e.g. anxiety, depression, behavioural issues) disorders, comprehensive assessment and appropriate intervention of these co-existing conditions is important.
This episode of Psych Matters covers the importance of early identification and how a public health approach to reaching “all” children is an important first step coupled with the need for clinicians involved in the care of ID to consider assessing and managing comorbid psychiatric diagnoses as diagnostic overshadowing is common in individuals with ID.
Prof Valsamma Eapen MBBS., PhD., FRCPsych., FRANZCP is Professor and Chair of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney & Head, Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney (AUCS). Eapen is also Director of BestSTART Child Health Academic unit; Chair, Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, RANZCP; and Treasurer and President Elect of International Neuropsychiatry Association. Clinically trained in India and the UK, Eapen completed advanced training in Child Psychiatry at the Great Ormond Street Hospital Rotational Scheme and Institute of Child Health, and PhD from University of London with research on Tourette Syndrome undertaken at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Known internationally for expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and Tourette Syndrome, Eapen’s work has a focus on health equity. Eapen has published over 350 articles, 6 books and >50 book chapters and is currently part of research programs totalling >40M in funding.
Professor Richard Harvey has been a consultant psychiatrist since 1998. He trained in the UK and migrated to Australia in 2003. He has held a variety of clinical positions in public and private in Australia. He is a Clinical Professor at Deakin University and is currently in private practice. He is the Chair of the RANZCP Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Steering Group and he is also the Chair of the RANZCP Committee for Continuing Professional Development.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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
Doctors Israel Berger, Vidya Narayan, and Kieran Allen discuss their lived experience of mental illness and how mental illness affects doctors. They address the issues of suicidality amongst healthcare workers, particularly psychiatrists and SIMGs, how to seek help, regulatory concerns, managing confidentiality, and inpatient admissions. They speak about their own experiences of mental illness and seeking support in addition to general issues.
Dr Israel Berger is a final year Child & Adolescent Psychiatry trainee at Goulburn Valley Health. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Roehampton, which examined silence in the psychotherapy context. He is passionate about research and clinical practice, particularly trauma, therapeutic relationships, transgender health, and early intervention in psychosis
Dr Kieran Allen is a stage 2 trainee at Monash Health. He has a keen interest in the mental health of health professionals and was a founding member of Hand-n-Hand Peer Support. Kieran has battled with his own mental illness and spoken about it publicly from time to time as a way to challenge the stigma faced by many doctors faced with their own mental illness.
Dr Vidya Narayan graduated to FRANZCP in 2023. She works part-time as a consultant psychiatrist with Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton. She is originally a Specialist International medical graduate (SIMG), with her two post-graduate qualifications in psychiatry from India. Further, she has training and work experience with three different services spread across metropolitan and regional Victoria, since migrating to Australia in 2014. Vidya is passionate about psychiatry and is particularly interested in the area of prevention, more specifically addressing special populations (women, children and older adults) Resources
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2016/205/6/suicide-health-professionals-retrospective-mortality-study-australia-2001-2012
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu. Adorn the bird with feather and they will fly. Dr Hinemoa Elder. Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāpuhi.
In this episode of Psych Matters, Dr Hinemoa Elder begins with a broad background related to Māori concepts of disability including those of 'Tangata Whaikaha' and 'Whānau Hauā’. The discussion includes Māori levels of need, and mātauranga Māori, Māori knowledge systems about Hinengaro or Female deity of Mind. Specific examples of approaches which are in use are then provided including Te Waka Kuaka and Te Waka Oranga.
References to some of the key papers in the area are also discussed.
Resources:
Reframing disability from an Indigenous perspective
Guidelines for Cultural Assessment – Maori (health.govt.nz)
Pacific Mental Health in Aotearoa New Zealand | RANZCP
Recognising the significance of TeTiriti o Waitangi | RANZCP
Cultural safety | RANZCP
Intellectual disabilities (ID): Addressing the mental health needs of people with ID | RANZCP
Partnering with people with a lived experience | RANZCP
Dr Hinemoa Elder is Māori, of Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi descent.
Hinemoa is a mother of two adult children. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist working in both District Health Boards and private practice in the fields of community and inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry, youth forensic and neuropsychiatry. Dr Elder is an advocate for use of Te Reo Māori, the Māori language.
A longer bio is available in her previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1072258/10462186
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Hand-n-Hand (Helping Australian & New Zealand Nurses and Doctors) was founded in March 2020 in far north QLD. Initially a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing emotional burden that came with it, we have been amazed with the speed and enthusiasm with which peer support has been adopted. Today, hundreds of participants and volunteer facilitators have signed up to be a part of the growing peer support movement, from just about every healthcare profession imaginable. What we quickly discovered is that there is an ongoing need for peer support beyond the pandemic, and are making efforts to turn Hand-n-Hand into a sustainable, long-term solution that can provide peer support for generations of healthcare workers to come.
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.
Dr Tahnee Bridson was the Queensland Young Australian of the Year for 2022. Whilst she initially thought of pursuing a career in dance and music, she had a desire to improve the wellbeing and lives of others that led her down the path of medicine. Tahnee, a born and bred country girl from rural Queensland, is a psychiatry doctor and founder of Hand-n-Hand Peer Support Inc. Tahnee has advocated for the wellbeing needs of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic establishing a peer support network which provides free and confidential support to all healthcare workers across Australia and New Zealand. She is passionate about advancing the field of mental health through research and recently combined these two passions when offered a PhD position in Melbourne.
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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
Cognitive impairment is a core feature of mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder) and is evident across a range of domains (memory, executive function, attention, processing speed). Research shows that cognitive impairment persists into recovery and relates to problems in occupational and psychosocial functioning. International task forces have thus identified cognition as an important treatment target in mood disorders, in attempting to improve overall recovery for people with mood disorders.
This podcast covers the importance of clinicians considering cognitive functioning in individuals with mood disorders, as well as practical strategies for assessing and treating cognitive problems.
Further References:
- ‘Cognition in Bipolar Disorder’ - https://www.isbd.org/Files/Admin/Cognition-Booklet.pdf
- Douglas KM, Peckham A, Porter R, Hammar A. Cognitive enhancement therapy for mood disorders: A new paradigm? Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2019 Dec;53(12):1148-1150. doi: 10.1177/0004867419873711. Epub 2019 Sep 13. PMID: 31516027; PMCID: PMC7290243.
Dr Katie Douglas is a Senior Research Fellow (Sir Charles Hercus Fellow) and Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Psychological Medicine (University of Otago, Christchurch, NZ). Her research work focuses on understanding the cognitive and hormonal underpinnings of mood and anxiety disorders, as well as clinical trials investigating psychotherapies and cognitive remediation for mood disorders. She co-chairs the Australasian Society of Bipolar and Depressive Disorders and is Associate Editor of BJPsych Open.
Prof Richard Porter is head of the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch and a Consultant Psychiatrist in a service for adults with intellectual disability. He also works in an ECT service and sees many patients with treatment resistant mood disorder. He trained in psychiatry in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne where his clinical training focussed on the treatment of resistant mood disorders. Recently his research has focused on psychological treatments for mood disorders including treatments for neuropsychological impairment in depression and bipolar disorder. He has published over 200 scientific papers mainly in the area of cognition in mood disorders. He is an author of the recent Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Mood Disorder Guidelines.
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Disclaimer:
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
In this episode, Professor Richard Harvey is in conversation with Professor David Castle (University of Tasmania) and Associate Professor Lynette Averill (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston and Yale School of Medicine) to discuss their perspectives on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in clinical practice.
Professor Richard Harvey has been a consultant psychiatrist since 1998. He trained in the UK and migrated to Australia in 2003. He has held a variety of clinical positions in public and private in Australia. He is a Clinical Professor at Deakin University and is currently in private practice. He is the Chair of the RANZCP Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Steering Group and he is also the Chair of the RANZCP Committee for Continuing Professional Development.
Professor David Castle is a part of the Department of Psychiatry, 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.
Associate Professor Lynnette A. Averill is a clinical research psychologist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and National Centre for PTSD and a professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and Yale University Department of Psychiatry. Associate Professor Averill studies the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicine in PTSD, including glutamate-modulating ketamine and serotonergic psilocybin and MDMA, and their role in mechanistically intervening synaptic connectivity, which subsequentially manifests in behavioural, mood, and cognitive changes. Centred in a humanistic perspective, her studies have found that psychedelic medicines are particularly effective in addressing suicidality, guilt, shame, blame, and forgiveness.
Resources
For guidance regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy see Psychedelics | RANZCP
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
It is well known that rural/regional Australians face greater health and mental health burdens at the same time as lower levels of service access. Dispersed populations and lower levels of research infrastructure are barriers to rural/regionally based academic psychiatrists. Nevertheless, opportunities exist for those willing to follow the dictum "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Dr Andrew Amos, leads a discussion of the realized and potential opportunities for successful research in rural/regional Australia, with a focus on building rural/regional research capacity.
A/Prof 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.
A/Prof Ajay Verma Macharouthu; MBBS, MD (Psych), MRCPsych, FRANZCP; currently works as a Staff Specialist in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry for Older Persons, ECT Director & Rural Director of Training for Psychiatry in Cairns & Hinterland Hospital & Health Services. He is an adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University, Cairns. He is the recipient of the RANZCP award for the faculty of POA prize for best mental health service improvement 2022. He was the Chair of the Scottish Delirium Association and Co-chaired the SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) 157 Delirium Guideline. He was a research lead and Principal Investigator for several dementia drug trials.
Dr. Ernest Hunter is a retired child and adult psychiatrist and public health physician who worked for over three decades in remote Indigenous northern Australia. Ernest integrated research and his clinical practice with a particular focus on population level impacts and interventions, through which the importance of understanding the historical and social contexts that inform patterns of mental distress and disorder in those populations became clear. He is the author of two recent books - Vicarious Dreaming (2019) and Reef Madness (2022) which teeter on the edge of psychiatry.
Dr Andrew Amos, a Townsville-based psychiatrist, is Chair of the Queensland Section of Rural Psychiatry and Deputy Editor of Australasian Psychiatry. He is currently completing a Ph.D using Machine Learning to map the psychiatric knowledge contained within the Medline database.
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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.
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Disclaimer:
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.
While all people may experience the detrimental impacts of loneliness, there are unique health and social impacts of loneliness and social isolation for people with mental health conditions and their families/whānau/carers. They are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and social isolation and its associated stigma can be a key factor in impeding recovery for people with mental illness. The RANZCP’s Community Collaboration Committee (CCC) with Lived Experience Australia has created this podcast in the aims of having high educational value and raising public awareness of the interrelationship between loneliness and mental health.
Links: Understanding Loneliness and Mental Health
Prof. Sharon Lawn is the Chair and Executive Director for Lived Experience Australia Ltd, a nationally awarded mental health consumer and carer advocacy organisation. A member of the College’s CCC, she also sits on the Board of Mental Health Australia and the Australian Self-Care Alliance. She continues mental health lived experience research as a Professor at Flinders University in SA and has lived experience as both a consumer and family carer.
Cat Drew has a lived experience of mental health challenges dating back to early childhood. She graduated from Monash University and worked as a teacher, before sustaining a head injury (car Vs tree) that altered her career path. She worked as a Consumer Consultant in Victoria’s public mental health system prior to qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Paul Milne is a lived experience Mental Health Advocate for Police and emergency services. Having spent many years as a policeman in the Northern Territory he has experienced PTSD. As a father of four children, he knows the importance of physical and mental exercise. Paul is currently enrolled in a Master of Counselling at the University of Canberra and is also a lead organiser for the Heart2Heart Walk.
A/Prof Simon Stafrace is the Program Director of Mental & Addiction Health at Alfred Health in Melbourne, Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Monash University, and Co-Chair of the Community Collaboration Committee of the RANZCP.Simon was a board member of Tandem Carers from 2016-20 and Mental Health Victoria from 2018-20. From 2020-22, he undertook a two-year secondment in the Victorian Department of Health as Chief Adviser.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 explores Psychosocial Rehabilitation within a recovery oriented service system. The esteemed panel includes A/Prof Stephen Parker, A/Prof Frances Dark, Dr Catherine Brasier, and Will McKinlay. Through their discussion they provide us the great opportunity to learn not only clinical perspectives but also from lived experience perspectives about rehabilitation and what role it plays.
A/Prof Stephen Parker is the Director, Research at Metro North Mental Health in Brisbane. He works clinically within a public Early Psychosis service. He has previously worked extensively across a broad range of rehabilitation settings, and continues to conduct research with the goal of improving the experiences and outcomes of people accessing residential rehabilitation services (Stephen Parker (0000-0002-6022-3981) (orcid.org)).
A/Prof Frances Dark iscurrently the Director of the Rehabilitation Academic Clinical Unit for Metro South Mental Health Services, and the Director of the state-wide Deafness and Mental Health Service. She has a strong interest in psychosocial rehabilitation for consumers with mental illness, and has pioneered innovative programs in Queensland such as social cognition and cognitive remediation groups. Dr Dark has a strong research history, including a publication in Nature genetics. She has been actively involved in community organization’s including being an advisor to Headway, and on the boards of Open Minds and the Queensland branch of the Mental Illness Fellowship Australia.
Dr Catherine Brasier'sfocus is on supporting better connections between people with Lived Experience, research and practice. She is the Lived Experience Strategic Lead of Wellways and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University. She draws on her experience of mental distress and personal recovery, plus her experience as a mental health worker.
Will McKinlay is a peer support worker with 13 years working experience. Will's background is working originally in NGO’s and over the last 8 years, working at QLD Health; mostly in a psychosocial rehabilitation setting. He believes recovery from mental health issues is possible for anyone and role is to guide someone through their recovery from mental health issues and most importantly, show that there is always hope, even in adversity.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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, A/Prof Suresh Muthukumaraswamy and Dr Chiranth Bhagavan discuss Suresh's talk 'A sceptical look at the use of psychedelic drugs in medicine'. While there is significant interest in the use of psychedelics as medicines in psychiatry the evidence base has a number of limitations and these are delved into in this discussion.
Interested listeners can read in more detail:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00048674221081763?journalCode=anpa
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17512433.2021.1933434
A/Prof Suresh Muthukumaraswamy is an Associate Professor in The School of Pharmacy at The University of Auckland. His research Suresh’s main research interests are in understanding how therapies alter brain function and behaviour and in testing methodologies to measure these changes in both healthy individuals and patient groups – particularly in depressed patients. He has investigated over 20 different CNS drugs and began research into psychedelics in 2011.
Dr Chiranth Bhagavan is a senior psychiatry registrar and consultation-liaison advanced trainee currently in a dual clinical and academic role in Auckland, New Zealand.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 is the final episode in a 3-part series on the History of Psychiatry. In this particular episode Dr. Kaplan speaks about the notable names in the movement of Anti-Psychiatry during the 20th Century.
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.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This podcast tracks the 20 years of learning and programme development of a psychiatrist working in primary care, culminating in development, piloting, and evaluation of an “Integrated Primary MH&A programme”. The programme integrates three new roles (a mental health clinician, a health coach, and access to NGO peer/community support) into primary care teams, seeing people on the day they present, and allowing patients’ holistic wellbeing needs to be better met. Based on evaluation findings the NZ Government funded the programme for national rollout over the period 2019 to 2024. As of mid-2022 the programme is now available to over 600,000 residents of Auckland, and over 50,000 people have accessed one or more of the added supports available, with 60% achieving significant improvements in wellbeing
Dr David Codyre is a psychiatrist with 30 years experience working in the community mental health sector in New Zealand, in a range of clinical and leadership roles. He has spent the past 20 years leading development of primary mental health programmes, and advocating at a regional and national level for strengthening of primary mental health capacity, along with better support for primary care from secondary mental health services. He has lead development pilots and now Auckland wide implementation, of the “Integrated primary MH&A programme”.
David currently works with Tamaki Health, a network of clinics providing team-based primary care services to populations in high-needs areas of Auckland, NZ. He is currently seconded half time as Clinical Director of the Auckland Wellbeing Collaborative, supporting implementation of this model integrating wellness support into all GP clinics in Auckland over the next 3-4years. David is also Lead Psychiatrist to Whakarongorau, the National Telehealth Service – the home of 1737 “Need to Talk”, the Depression Helpline, Drug/Alcohol Helpline, and Gambling Helpline.
Dr Clive Bensemann is the Clinical Lead for the New Zealand Health Quality & Safety Commission’s Mental Health & Addiction Quality Improvement program; and currently works at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau as Clinical Head for Mental Health Services for Older People. He trained first as a General Practitioner before specialising as a Psychiatrist (FRANZCP) and Medical Administrator (FRACMA). His interests include Integrated Care, and service change through use of measurement and improvement science.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 is the second in a series on the History of Psychiatry. In this particular episode Dr. Kaplan explores the development of different drugs, methodology, and diagnoses that were discovered, researched, and applied from World War 1 to the 1980's.
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.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 Rees Tapsell (Māori fellow) interviews Ms Moe Milne and Mr Ron Baker (Māori cultural elders and advisors for the RANZCP) to get their insights into a range of issues related to Māori mental health. In addition to being recognised cultural experts both Moe and Ron have nursing training and are deeply ensconced within the Maori world. They bring decades of experience to bear as they discuss issues from Colonisation and its effects non-Maori through to Māori models of care and Māori knowledge systems. They highlight the importance of cultural competence in dealing with Māori and discuss some basic competencies required to work with Māori. Ms Moe Milne and Mr Ron Baker are currently Kaumātua at the RANZCP to provide essential mātauranga (wisdom) and leadership within the College structure.
Ms Moe Milne lives in Matawaia on whanau land with her mokopuna and children all around her. She believes knowing who you are where you belong and participation in your marae are important components of well being. This belief underpins all the work she does in mental health and addictions , Maori Health, and Education.
Mr Ron Baker hails from the Tairawhiti lives on Hoani Waititi Marae and after nearly 45 years working in Mental Health and Kaupapa Maori Services continues to be part of these services. Tikanga Maori and cultural healing practises remain a large part of daily activities and are included in the standing as Kaumatua for the college and Marae.
Dr Rees Tapsell is of Māori, heralding from the Arawa canoe and of Ngāti Whakaue descent. He is the Executive Director of the Midland Regional Forensic Service and the Director of Clinical Services for the Waikato Mental Health and Addictions services at the Waikato District Health Board. He is a clinical lecturer with the department of psychological medicine at the Auckland School of Medicine. Dr Tapsell has served as a General Council member with the Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, as a board member on two HHSs/DHBs, on several small private companies and he served as a psychiatrist Deputy Member on the Mental Health Review Tribunal for 12 years. He has been involved in the development of a number of Māori specific approaches to the provision of mental health care to Māori in both general and forensic services and in both government and NGO settings.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 is a brief summary of the History of Psychiatry from as early as hunter gatherer societies to the beginning of the first World War.
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.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This episode of Psych Matters includes 4 child psychiatrists who have or are currently working in regional, rural or remote locations across Australia. Child and adolescent psychiatry is an important subspecialty within psychiatry and the distribution of child psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand is disproportionately within metropolitan settings. Working in rural and remote settings brings with it unique challenges, beyond just the tyranny of distance. We here from our 4 experts as to the varied opportunities, practice and challenges they have experienced in their careers, including the benefits of considering child and adolescent training in these settings.
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.
Dr Michael Bowden is a Senior Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over 30 years’ experience working in various settings in mental health. He is Senior Clinical Advisor for Child and Youth Mental Health at the NSW Health Mental Health Branch.
Dr Steven Blefari is rural child and adolescent psychiatrist. Trained in the Hunter New England region with focus on rural psychiatry, he moved to Southwest WA 5 years ago and now has the role of Director of Clinical Services for Mental Health and very excited to be the inaugural Rural Director of Training for the brand new Rural WA training zone.
Dr Ria Leonard is a Perinatal psychiatrist in the Hunter New England local health district and also provides disability psychiatry input to Western, Far West and Murrumbidgee LHDs of NSW. Following undergraduate medical studies in Sydney and post-graduate studies in Melbourne, Ria Leonard has returned to the rural town she grew up in.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 Rees Tapsell, a Māori fellow of the RANZCP interviews Dr Rātahi Bell, a senior registrar in forensic specialty training about the specific challenges and opportunities that come with training as a Maori psychiatric registrar in New Zealand. They discuss the importance of dual competence (being able to walk equally in both the Māori and Psychiatric worlds) in working in New Zealand and the value that bringing an integrated approach can have in the assessment and management of a Māori patient within their whānau (family). They discuss important Māori concepts and processes and their value to the range of therapeutic tasks that a psychiatrist might face in dealing not only with Māori patients and whanau but with patients of all backgrounds. Equally they discuss the cultural demands and expectations that a Māori trainee can face and the additional supports that can make training more tolerable and successful.
Dr Rees Tapsell is of Māori, heralding from the Arawa canoe and of Ngāti Whakaue descent. He is the Executive Director of the Midland Regional Forensic Service and the Director of Clinical Services for the Waikato Mental Health and Addictions services at the Waikato District Health Board. He is a clinical lecturer with the department of psychological medicine at the Auckland School of Medicine. Dr Tapsell has served as a General Council member with the Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, as a board member on two HHSs/DHBs, on several small private companies and he served as a psychiatrist Deputy Member on the Mental Health Review Tribunal for 12 years. He has been involved in the development of a number of Māori specific approaches to the provision of mental health care to Māori in both general and forensic services and in both government and NGO settings. Dr Tapsell’s particular professional and research interests lie in the governance and leadership of health organisations, the epidemiology of mental disorders, Māori mental health service development, outcome measures in Māori mental health ‘mentally abnormal’ offenders and undergraduate and postgraduate education and training.
Dr Rātahi Bell is a Māori psychiatry trainee based in Waikato, New Zealand, and is of the Ngāti Maniapoto tribe descending from the Tainui waka (or canoe). He is a stage 3 trainee completing an advanced certificate in forensic psychiatry. Dr Bell is a current trainee representative on Te Kaunihera mo ngā kaupapa Hauora Hinengaro Māori, a constituent committee of the RANZCP informing policy and training through an equity lens.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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 will explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health training experiences and consideration of indigenous values, lifestyles, aspirations, family and differing needs and capacities of Indigenous people in diverse, complex economic and social circumstances. Through the firsthand stories of current trainees on their rural pathways to Fellowship, they share their experience of what are culturally appropriate mental health and social and emotional wellbeing and services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and how these are best delivered by going out to the community.
This podcast series was made possible by funding from the Australian Government through the Specialist Training Program. The Specialist Training Program is an Australian Government initiative to support specialist medical training in settings beyond traditional public teaching hospitals, including rural and private facilities.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are warned that the following program may contain mentions of deceased persons.
Dr Madeleine Leung is a CL psychiatry certificate advanced trainee in the Mildura Base Public Hospital. Many of her rotations have been STP rotations, as Mildura is always an area of workforce shortage. Dr Leung loves the variety, the hands-on experiences, and the continuity of care that sub-regional psychiatry training offers. She thinks that regional Victoria is where the frontier of psychiatry is, and the most exciting place to be working, living, and learning.
Dr Samuel Baxter (MBBS, MVitOEN, BEng (Hons), is an AT in Addiction Psychiatry based in Southern Tasmania. Dr Baxter is the current RANZCP Tasmanian BCT representative and the RANZCP Binational AT Certificate Representative on the Subcommittee for Advanced Training in Addiction psychiatry. He also sits on a few local committees including the RANZCP STP Tasmania Project. Tasmania is a beautiful and unique state to work in and due to its relative isolation from the other state training networks it relies heavily on STP funding to support trainee development.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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 from the series In Conversation: on the rural pathway to Fellowship explores the holistic nature of care by examining the firsthand stories of trainees and their approach to cases in rural settings. The podcast seeks to explore trainees dealing with cases in rural everyday circumstances and how these cases impacted their training experience.
This podcast series was made possible by funding from the Australian Government through the Specialist Training Program. The Specialist Training Program is an Australian Government initiative to support specialist medical training in settings beyond traditional public teaching hospitals, including regional, rural, and remote and private facilities.
Dr Anna Norris has worked in Victoria and Tasmania for the majority of her medical career and was lucky to complete her first three years of the RANZCP Fellowship programme at NWMH in Melbourne/ Naarm. She immensely enjoyed a six-month CAMHS rotation in Alice Springs/ Mparntwe in 2018 and learnt a great deal during this time. Anna went on to move to London and finish a postgraduate certificate in Psychoanalytic Studies at the Tavistock Clinic; COVID-19 thwarting her plans for the associated master’s when she headed back to Australia, seeking, somewhat naively (!), to avoid the pandemic. Since then, and following the birth of her first child, she has been loving living and working in Tasmania, including with the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service in Hobart/ nipaluna. She is engaged in CL Psychiatry advanced training and has interests in mitigating the effects of psychological trauma, maternal and infant psychiatry, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. In her spare time, she dances to the Hokey Pokey with her daughter, makes chili-laden one-pot vegetarian meals and is trying to learn the trick of dead lifts at the gym.
Dr Timothy (Tim) Styles completed his medical studies at the University of Western Australia and commenced postgraduate training in psychiatry in 2019 after seeking diverse exposure to medical and surgical specialties as a junior hospital doctor. Tim has been fortunate to work across a number of geographic regions in WA and at several different metropolitan health services during his training. As a medical student, Tim had a placement in Wiluna in the Mid-West region of WA. As a trainee, he worked in Broome at the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service. Tim is undertaking certificate training in Psychiatry of Old Age, and has special interests in rural psychiatry, neurostimulation, and an increasing enthusiasm for psychotherapy. In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing tennis, loyally (blindly) following his AFL team, and taking his two-year-old Springer Spaniel to the beach. He is also a keen (and sometimes experimental) cook with slight hoarding tendencies when it comes to culinary gadgetry – which greatly exasperates his wife.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Considering a career as a Private rural psychiatrist but not sure about the pathway? A/Prof. Mathew Coleman explores the practicalities with Fellows working in rural private practice, to answer many common queries.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has received Australian Government funding under the Specialist Training Program to deliver this activity.
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 just recently completed two terms as a Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission.
Dr Tristram Duncan graduated with his medical degree from the University of Newcastle. He has over sixteen years of experience in the psychiatry field. Dr Duncan uses a variety of approaches to medication, neurostimulation, and psychotherapy management of psychiatric disorders. He practices at Dudley Private Hospital, which is located in the heart of Orange in regional NSW. Dr Tristram Duncan also participates in outreach clinics through the MSOAP program to various rural and remote locations.
Dr Rodney BlanchBSc (Hons), PhD (Chemistry), MBBS, FRANZCP, Cert Adult Psych
Clinical Director Murrumbateman Specialist Center
Growing up in a Central Queensland mining town and having been a Chemistry academic with UNSW@ADFA he developed a passion for both rural and military mental health. Dr. Blanch continues to be active in his engagement with the college as the Rural Representative for the ACT Branch.
Dr Therese Mary Grotowski is a psychiatrist who completed her training in rural NSW 24 years ago. She has worked in private practice in Ballina since then, as well as a variety of roles within the local area health service including acute inpatient and community mental health covering Lismore, Ballina, and Nimbin for 20 years, and more recently with the Disaster Recovery Team. She has also worked with the local Aboriginal Health Service for several years. Her interests are in working with people living with psychotic conditions, and intellectual disability and mental illness. She has been Site Co-ordinator of Training for more than 10 years and has enjoyed mentoring registrars continuously during that time. She has a keen interest in rural psychiatry and has participated in a number of projects and committees at the state and national level aimed at advocating for service development and improved access for people living with mental illness in rural areas.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Want to find out more about the rural training journey? This is the podcast to listen to! Doctors David Townsend, Skye Kinder, Nicholas Faint and Phoebe Thornton share the real stories of their rural psychiatry training journeys.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has received Australian Government funding under the Specialist Training Program to deliver this activity.
Dr David Townsend is a stage two psychiatry registrar currently working with the WA Country Health Service in a new Medical Education Registrar role to help develop and launch the new Rural Psychiatry Training WA program. He was a multimedia designer, photographer, and branding & marketing consultant prior to embarking on a career change into Medicine. Dr Townsend advocates for using digital technology and innovative approaches to develop world-class Psychiatry training in rural and remote communities.
Dr Nicholas Faint is a fourth-year psychiatry registrar completing advanced training in addiction and consultation-liaison psychiatry in Brisbane. He completed his medical training in Western Australia graduating from UNDF in 2015 and completed Stage 1 and 2 training at an Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) Training Post in Albany. Dr Faint has previously held the position of vice-chairperson for the Western Australia Association of Psychiatrist in Training (WA APT) and sat on the Trainee Representative Committee (TRC). He is passionate about rural psychiatry and is a member of the Regional, Rural and Remote Steering Group.
Dr Skye Kinder is a passionate advocate for rural and other marginalized patients and their communities. In addition to her clinical work as a doctor in the field of mental health, she is a prolific writer and award-winning speaker and health commentator. Dr Kinder serves on the RANZCP Section of Rural Psychiatry and is a representative on the RANZCP Regional, Rural and Remote Training Steering Group.
Dr Phoebe Thornton's desire to practice as a Rural Psychiatrist on completion of her training has led her to take a training post at Albany in Western Australia. Dr Thornton is determined to be part of a sustainable and accessible rural psychiatry workforce that can provide services comparable to those provided in metropolitan areas. Working in a rural setting has strengthened her commitment to rural psychiatry and she firmly believes it is a privilege to care for the people in these communities.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Are you considering a move to a rural community for your psychiatry training? This is the first podcast of a series of five; In Conversation: On the Rural Pathway to RANZCP Fellowship. Host Dr David Townsend speaks with psychiatrists-in-training sharing firsthand experience of living and working in a rural community.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has received Australian Government funding under the Specialist Training Program to deliver this activity.
Dr David Townsend is a stage two psychiatry registrar currently working with the WA Country Health Service in a new Medical Education Registrar role to help develop and launch the new Rural Psychiatry Training WA program. He was a multimedia designer, photographer, and branding & marketing consultant prior to embarking on a career change into Medicine. Dr Townsend advocates for using digital technology and innovative approaches to develop world-class Psychiatry training in rural and remote communities.
Dr Nicholas Faint is a fourth-year psychiatry registrar completing advanced training in addiction and consultation-liaison psychiatry in Brisbane. He completed his medical training in Western Australia graduating from UNDF in 2015 and completed Stage 1 and 2 training at an Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) Training Post in Albany. Dr Faint has previously held the position of vice-chairperson for the Western Australia Association of Psychiatrist in Training (WA APT) and sat on the Trainee Representative Committee (TRC). He is passionate about rural psychiatry and is a member of the Regional, Rural and Remote Steering Group.
Dr Skye Kinder is a passionate advocate for rural and other marginalized patients and their communities. In addition to her clinical work as a doctor in the field of mental health, she is a prolific writer and award-winning speaker and health commentator. Dr Kinder serves on the RANZCP Section of Rural Psychiatry and is a representative on the RANZCP Regional, Rural and Remote Training Steering Group.
Dr Phoebe Thornton's desire to practice as a Rural Psychiatrist on completion of her training has led her to take a training post at Albany in Western Australia. Dr Thornton is determined to be part of a sustainable and accessible rural psychiatry workforce that can provide services comparable to those provided in metropolitan areas. Working in a rural setting has strengthened her commitment to rural psychiatry and she firmly believes it is a privilege to care for the people in these communities.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
As 2022 draws to a close, the Psych Matters team: David, Jo-Rose, and Nishta, would like to thank you for your support during the year.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed the many topics presented during 2022, and we look forward to bringing many more to you in 2023.
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 6th 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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This podcast explores the current evidence guiding how feedback can be most effectively delivered in clinical supervision. Supervision is a central feature of the RANZCP training program. While supervision is valued by trainees, they often discuss the desire for more feedback from their supervisors. Supervisors can struggle to provide feedback in busy clinical settings, and it is not always easy to deliver effective feedback. Today’s panel will explore why feedback is important, why supervisors often struggle to provide feedback, and provide practical guidance to supervisors wanting to improve their practice to make sure the feedback they provide in supervision has a positive impact.
Associate Professor Stephen Parker is a clinical academic psychiatrist in Brisbane, Australia. He has appointments as a Research Psychiatrist and Staff Specialist in Early Psychosis at The Prince Charles Hospital, and he is one of the Directors of Training in Queensland.
Dr Jessica Weallans M.D. MClSc FRANZCP is an early career Psychiatrist with a certificate in adult psychiatry. She currently practices in the public sector, with the Gold Coast Mental Health and Specialist Service, in Australia. Dr Weallans is passionate about medical education, including feedback in clinical supervision. She published a systematic review on guidance for providing effective feedback in clinical supervision in postgraduate medical education.
Sarah Hamilton resides in Brisbane, Australia and is completing a PhD with Griffith University where she developed a new suite of supervisor competency assessment tools (GSAT). Sarah works for Queensland Health as the state-wide allied health professional practice leader for social work and as Chair of the supervision implementation committee, works to support the resourcing and provision of supervision. Sarah is particularly interested in supervision training, evaluation, multicultural capability and professional identity.
Resources:
Links and information to Resources can be found at this link:
Effective feedback in clinical supervision references (ranzcp.org)
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 we hear about the ongoing journey of Australia’s first Indigenous doctor, Professor Helen Milroy, including the central importance of cultural competence for understanding and engaging with patients of all backgrounds. Professor Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Professor of Psychiatry and Chair in Child Mental Health at The University of Western Australia Medical School, and a Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission; as well as an author of a series of children’s books, among many other intellectual and artistic pursuits.
Dr Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, but was born and educated in Perth. Australia’s first Indigenous doctor, Helen studied medicine at the University of Western Australia and is currently Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UWA, Honorary Research Fellow at Telethon Kids Institute and a Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission. Helen was recently appointed as the AFL’s first indigenous commissioner. Wombat, Mudlark and Other Stories is her first book for children.
Dr Andrew Amos is an adult psychiatrist in Townsville, currently working on a PhD constructing a map of all the peer review psychiatric research published since the early 20th Century.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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 Professor Henry Brodaty explains recent advances in dementia research, diagnosis, treatment, and care. He presented this topic at the RANZCP Congress 2022 in Sydney, Australia and discusses many of the important points made during the presentation.
Professor Henry Brodaty is a researcher, clinician, policy advisor and strong advocate for people with dementia and their carers. At UNSW Sydney, he is Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health and Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing. He has published extensively, is a senior psychogeriatrician at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney. He serves on multiple committees for the NSW and Australian governments and WHO.
Links:Forward with Dementiawww.forwardwithdementia.au
CheBA www.cheba.unsw.edu.au
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Want to find out more about current developments and approaches in adolescent forensic psychiatry in Australia and NZ? This is the podcast to listen to! Hear from adolescent forensic psychiatrists at the coal face who bring diverse updates in this field for psychiatrists and trainees alike.
Associate Professor John KasinathanMBBS (Hons I; Syd), M.Psychiatry, FRANZCP, Cert. Forensic Psych., M.FMH (UNSW), Cert. Child Adol. Psych.
Consultant Forensic, Child, Adolescent and Generalist Psychiatrist
Conjoint Associate Professor, UNSW Medicine
Clinical Director Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW Health
Medical Director Adolescent and Young Adult Program, Northside Clinic St Leonards
Dr Brendan DaughertyBMed, MPM, FRANZCP, Grad Cert FMH, Cert Child Adol Psych, Cert Forensic Psych
Consultant Child and Adolescent, General Adult and Forensic Psychiatrist
Co-owner and Director, Pandion Health
Visiting Medical Officer, Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, NT
Dr Joey Le
MBBS BSc(Med)Hons FRANZCP Cert Child Adol Psych Cert Forensic Psych MFMH
Staff Specialist Psychiatrist, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
Forensic and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Canberra Health Services
Authorised Clinician, Children's Court Clinic, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW Medicine
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Women in Psychiatry is a special interest group made up of women psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees. The mission of women in psychiatry is to support the needs of women psychiatrists and trainees through education, advocacy and support. Women in psychiatry have been involved in advocating for gender equity & safe, flexible workplaces, raising awareness regarding gender issues in psychiatry and advocating for the mental health of women psychiatrists and trainees. They have held a number of networking events and moderate several platforms which provide peer support and mentorship. You can find them on Facebook at Women in Psychiatry, WhatsApp or email them at womeninpsychiatry@outlook.com
In this episode of psych matters, Dr Tina Rizkallah interviews associate Professor Carolyn Quadrio, a pioneer of the women’s movement in Australian Psychiatry.
A/Prof Carolyn Quadrio is an Associate Adjunct Professor with the School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales. She has been a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists since 1973 and has served as a Federal Councillor and in various teaching roles. Formerly she was Director of Mental Health Services with Corrections Health Service (now Justice Health) in New South Wales.
A/Prof 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 Christine ‘Tina’ Rizkallah, is a consultant psychiatrist working in Victoria in the fields of forensic psychiatry and eating disorders. She is a committee member of women in psychiatry and a passionate advocate for gender equity both in and outside the workplace and training. Dr Rizkallah is interviewing Associate Professor Carolyn Quadrio, a pioneer of feminism in Australian Psychiatry.
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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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Dr Ben Bravery started life as a zoologist, working to save animals from extinction across the globe. Though at 28-years-old, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer and confronted with the prospect of his own destruction. Ben’s journey from scientist to cancer patient, and now to psychiatry trainee is documented in his memoir The Patient Doctor. On the topics of compassion, system design, and medical education, Ben speaks with the conviction of someone who has lived on both sides of the doctor patient relationship. In this episode of Psych Matters, Ben is in conversation with Dr Elizabeth Moore and Dr Ollie Robertson; it is equal parts storytelling and education that appeals to anyone with an interest in life, not simply medicine or psychiatry.
Dr Ben Bravery, originally a zoologist and science communicator, worked for the Australian and Chinese governments before being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age twenty-eight. After undergoing eighteen months of cancer treatment, Ben decided on a career change. He became a doctor in 2018 and is now undertaking training in psychiatry. Ben volunteers, advocates, writes and speaks about colorectal cancer, living with cancer, cancer in young adults, medicine and medical education, and is committed to advocating for change in Australia's healthcare system. His memoir, called The Patient Doctor, was published in July 2022.
Dr Elizabeth Moore is the Coordinator General of the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing and the President elect of the RANZCP.
Dr Ollie Robertson is a psychiatry trainee, and host of The Thought Broadcast from 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.org
Disclaimer:
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 hosted by the Gender Equity Working Group of the RANZCP, Dr Carol Silberberg and Associate Professor Samantha Loi discuss the challenges involved in balancing leadership roles with family commitments and provide their own experiences and advice about how to tackle these.
Dr Andrew Amos is a Representative of the RANZCP’s Gender Equity Working Group.
Associate Professor Samantha Loi is a neuropsychiatrist, old age psychiatrist, principal research fellow at the University of Melbourne, mother, stepmother, partner and one of a very small group of women academic-psychiatrists at the RANZCP. She has a h-index of 20, over 80 publications and has obtained lots of funding for various projects but unfortunately none for her personal use. Her clinical and work interests include dementia, ageing and death. Associate Professor Loi is a keen advocate for lifting up other women and inspiring them to pursue an academic career and interest in research.
Dr Carol Silberberg left her role in academic psychiatry to focus on conflict resolution and time management after having children. As a fitness junkie, she now stays fit by running after her children and does 10 000 steps a day as Director of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at St Vincent’s Melbourne, with specialist interests in eating disorders and diabetes. Coupled with her longstanding work with asylum seekers, she has been inspired to develop her leadership skills to be a stronger advocate for these populations. Dr Silberberg is passionate about improving family unfriendly practices and inequities that are widespread in medical workplaces. To unwind, she dabbles as a ceramicist, cellist, cook, and singer. In her spare time, she enjoys catching up on her backlog of emails and missed sleep.
Resources
Spotify playlist for Should I stay or should I go
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7H4LnJ77f8xOkQmy4pjoyr?si=L5taYhdgTKipIte-QDrcjQ
Dr Silberberg in the Storytellers of STEM podcast
https://anchor.fm/storytellersofstemm/episodes/120---Carol-Silberberg-Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry-e10n83p
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi and his guests discuss topics including the recent pandemic and other related themes which was presented during the Presidential Symposium hosted at the 2022 RANZCP Congress in Sydney.
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 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 230 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Professor Steve Kisely, Steve is a psychiatrist, addiction and public health physician. He currently works as a Professor at the University of Queensland and Adjunct Professor in Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University in Canada. He is also Director of Research for Addiction & Mental Health Services, Metro South Health. Steve is the author of over 380 peer-reviewed full-length papers, on physical/psychiatric co-morbidity, psychiatric epidemiology, pharmaco-epidemiology & health services research. He has been a principal investigator on grants worth $20.3 million. Steve does not hesitate in using research evidence to challenge accepted dogma and practice.
Professor Tarun Bastiampillai, MBBS Adl, BMEDSc Adl, FRANZCP is a consultant psychiatrist and Clinical Professor at both Monash and Flinders University. Tarun is also a member of the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has served in several senior leadership roles, having been appointed SA Department of Health, Executive Director of Mental Health Strategy between 2015 to 2018. He is the recipient of the RANZCP 2020 Margaret Tobin Award for outstanding achievement in administrative psychiatry. He has published his research extensively including within, high-impact journals - JAMA, Lancet and Molecular 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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Music And Psychology & Social connections (MAPS) is an online group program which combines music therapy via therapeutic songwriting and psychology informed by cognitive behaviour therapy for couples affected by younger-onset dementia. MAPS aims to improve the mental health and social connections in the spousal carers and in the people with younger-onset dementia, with secondary aims to improve coping skills in the spouses and behaviour changes associated with dementia.
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/4/503
Email: maps-program@unimelb.edu.au
Associate Professor Samantha Loi, MBBS, BMedSc, MPsych, FRANZCP, GradCertPOA, PhD.is a neuropsychiatrist and old age psychiatrist, involved in clinical research at Neuropsychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne. An advocate for early career psychiatrists and women in academia, she leads a longitudinal study of people with younger-onset neurocognitive disorders (BeYOND). She is currently funded by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship and is a past recipient of the RANZCP Early Career Psychiatrist award and Catalyst Foundation award and currently leads the MAPS project.
Claire Cadwallader, BSc (Hons), is a PhD (Clinical Neuropsychology) candidate and provisional psychologist from Monash University. She works as a research assistant within the Neuropsychiatry Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, assisting with biomarker and clinical intervention research in younger-onset dementia. She has assisted with the design, and is the psychologist facilitator for the MAPS project.
Phoebe Stretton-Smith, MMusThrp, BMus, is a Registered Music Therapist and Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Phoebe has over five years clinical and research experience on various projects involving people living with dementia and their family caregivers, including the NHMRC funded Music Interventions for Dementia and Depression in Elderly care (MIDDEL) controlled trial, and research on group therapeutic songwriting funded by the Dementia Australia Research Foundation (DARF). Phoebe contributed to the design of the MAPS program, and is the music therapist facilitator.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 podcast, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni speaks on the current social context of women's mental health, and the impact this has in our work as psychiatrists. Professor Kulkarni's podcast focusses on problems with the diagnostic term "Borderline Personality Disorder", as well as the hormone impacts on women's mental health. She speaks about new treatments for premenstrual depression, depression related to hormone contraception and finally the difficult to recognise condition of 'Perimenopausal Depression'. This podcast contains some of the topics that Professor Kulkarni covered in her keynote presentation at the RANZCP College Congress in Sydney in 2022.
Jayashri Kulkarni AM is a Professor of Psychiatry at Monash University & The Alfred Hospital. In 2002, she founded and continues to direct the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) – one Australia’s largest and most innovative centres for clinical mental health research, based at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne. Professor Kulkarni is also the Head of the Psychiatry Department for the Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University.
Jayashri is internationally recognised for her expertise in women’s mental health and in May 2022, with her team of researchers she set up and now directs HER Centre Australia – a Monash University Centre for Health, Education and Research into Women’s Mental Health. This is the first Centre to focus on women’s mental health research in Australia and is a collaboration between Monash University, Alfred Health and Cabrini Health.
In September 2021, after 12 months of designing and planning – Professor Kulkarni and her team, launched Australia’s first women’s mental health hospital- based in Cabrini Health.
Professor Kulkarni was the President of the International Association for Women’s Mental Health (IAWMH) between 2017-2019. She conducted a multinational study of interpersonal violence and its biopsychosocial and intergenerational impacts on women. Professor Kulkarni has developed many innovative treatments for women with mental illness and is an internationally recognised expert in psychoneuroendocrinology and the neuroscience impacts of early and later life violence against women.
Jayashri graduated from Monash Medical School and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 1989. She became a Fellow of the prestigious Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences in 2017 and received an Order of Australia in 2019 for her service to psychiatry.
She is a regular media commentator on mental health related issues and served on many State and Federal Ministerial Boards and Committees, as well as liaising with Industry. Professor Kulkarni has driven policy change in Victoria over many years and is a passionate advocate of lived experience-focused mental health research.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 Professor Mal Hopwood and Dr Dhamidhu Eratne discuss The Markers in Neuropsychiatric Disorders Study. The MiND Study is an Australia-wide research study led by Professor Dennis Velakoulis and Dr Eratne in Neuropsychiatry at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, aiming to develop a routinely available blood test to diagnose (or rule out) dementia and other illnesses quickly and accurately, and transform the care for all people with symptoms and illnesses of the mind and brain.
Many patients with conditions like younger onset dementia, go through years of multiple assessments and investigations, misdiagnosis, conflicting opinions, uncertainty, and delay. Psychiatrists, other specialists, and general practitioners, frequently face the diagnostic dilemma of distinguishing neurodegenerative/neurological from primary psychiatric causes of symptoms.
There is a great need, and much promise, for routine, simple blood tests, which could dramatically improve outcomes, for so many patients, their families, and healthcare systems.
MiND - the markers in neuropsychiatric disorders study: https://themindstudy.org/
Dr Dhamidhu Eratne is a neuropsychiatrist at Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and PhD Student and Clinical Research Fellow on the Markers in Neuropsychiatric Disorders Study (The MiND Study), The University of Melbourne. His clinical work mainly involves the assessment, diagnosis and management of younger onset dementia and other severe psychiatric and neurogenetic diseases. Dr Eratne’s PhD is focussed on biomarkers and other markers to reduce diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis, and clinical translation and widely available tests to improve timely and accurate diagnosis, care, and outcomes for patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. He was awarded the 2021 RANZCP Early Career Psychiatrist Award for his pilot study work, that laid the foundations for significant expansion and broader work of The MiND Study.
Professor Malcolm Hopwood is the Ramsay Health Care Professor of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne; based at the Albert Road Clinic (ARC) in Melbourne, Australia. At the ARC, he is the Director of the Professorial Psychiatry Unit. He has a long track record of research in areas of interest include psychopharmacology and clinical aspects of mood and anxiety disorders. He was President of the RANZCP between 2015 and 2017 and is now president of the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations. In 2020/2021 he was an author of the RANZCP Mood Disorder guidelines, the Beyond Blue Depression and Anxiety Guidelines and Psychotropic Guidelines in Australia.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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 Dr Rees Tapsell, from the Arawa canoe of Ngāti Whakaue descent, describes systemic features affecting Maori mental health, including the impact of the RANZCP’s Te Kaunihera committee, imminent changes to the NZ health system which will see a new Maori Health Authority working alongside Health NZ, and the importance of self-determination for First Nation peoples across the world. Dr Andrew Amos hosted the discussion.
Dr Rees Tapsell is of Māori, heralding from the Arawa canoe and of Ngāti Whakaue descent. He is the Executive Director of the Midland Regional Forensic Service and the Director of Clinical Services for the Waikato Mental Health and Addictions services at the Waikato District Health Board. He is a clinical lecturer with the department of psychological medicine at the Auckland School of Medicine. Dr Tapsell has served as a General Council member with the Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, as a board member on two HHSs/DHBs, on several small private companies and he served as a psychiatrist Deputy Member on the Mental Health Review Tribunal for 12 years. He has been involved in the development of a number of Māori specific approaches to the provision of mental health care to Māori in both general and forensic services and in both government and NGO settings. Dr Tapsell’s particular professional and research interests lie in the governance and leadership of health organisations, the epidemiology of mental disorders, Māori mental health service development, outcome measures in Māori mental health ‘mentally abnormal’ offenders and undergraduate and postgraduate education and training.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This podcast is a discussion of the performance of the Victorian health system during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with reference to the Australian and International context for health systems and population mental health. Issues related to managing through adversity, adaptation health, wellbeing, workforce and mental health service data collection are also discussed by Professors Vinay Lakra, Tarun Bastiampillai and Jeffrey Looi.
There is forthcoming Australasian Psychiatry paper led by Professor Stephen Allison, together with the podcast presenters and Professor David Copolov that covers the background.
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 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 230 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Associate Professor Vinay LakraAssociate Professor Vinay Lakra is the President of the College. He is also a Clinical Director and a member of the Victorian Board of Medical Board of Australia. He completed his medical and psychiatry training in India. He has had extensive involvement in supporting, training and mentoring SIMGs besides developing the assessment standards for SMIGs.
Professor Tarun Bastiampillai, MBBS Adl, BMEDSc Adl, FRANZCP is a consultant psychiatrist and Clinical Professor at both Monash and Flinders University. Tarun is also a member of the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has served in several senior leadership roles, having been appointed SA Department of Health, Executive Director of Mental Health Strategy between 2015 to 2018. He is the recipient of the RANZCP 2020 Margaret Tobin Award for outstanding achievement in administrative psychiatry. He has published his research extensively including within, high-impact journals - JAMA, Lancet and Molecular 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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Over the years there has been an increasing awareness of the fact that while the vast majority of individuals with autism spectrum conditions are law abiding, some on the spectrum do commit serious acts of violence. In this podcast we look at the core features of autism, explore differences across the spectrum and review the evidence on the link, if any, between autism and serious violence. We also look at the contribution of the core features of autism to the offending cycle and how the condition might affect the individual’s pathway through the criminal justice system.
Speakers:
- Dr Andrew Carroll - forensic psychiatrist
- Dr David Thomas - consultant psychiatrist
- Dr Chad Bennett - psychiatrist
- Tim Marsh - criminal barrister
Expanded show notes including detailed speaker biographies:
https://www.ranzcp.org/files/podcast/psych-matters-ep-47-autism-and-violent-offending.aspx
Resources:
Ombudsman’s report referred to:
https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/our-impact/investigation-reports/investigation-into-the-imprisonment-of-a-woman-found-unfit-to-stand-trial/
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Over the years there has been an increasing awareness of the fact that while the vast majority of individuals with autism spectrum conditions are law abiding, some on the spectrum do commit serious acts of violence. In this podcast we look at the core features of autism, explore differences across the spectrum and review the evidence on the link, if any, between autism and serious violence. We also look at the contribution of the core features of autism to the offending cycle and how the condition might affect the individual’s pathway through the criminal justice system.
Speakers:
- Dr Andrew Carroll - forensic psychiatrist
- Dr David Thomas - consultant psychiatrist
- Dr Chad Bennett - psychiatrist
- Tim Marsh - criminal barrister
Expanded show notes including detailed speaker biographies :
https://www.ranzcp.org/files/podcast/psych-matters-ep-47-autism-and-violent-offending.aspx
Resources:
Ombudsman’s report referred to:
https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/our-impact/investigation-reports/investigation-into-the-imprisonment-of-a-woman-found-unfit-to-stand-trial/
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Remote psychiatry is one part of the diverse practice of regional, rural, and remote psychiatry that is unique to countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Remote psychiatry brings a number of unique challenges and benefits for clinicians and is not for the feint hearted.
Working in resource poor areas, across large geographical areas means that psychiatrists must be adept in providing the whole range of psychiatric skills and expertise to entire communities, differentiating itself from metropolitan practice most familiar with psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand.
Associate Professor Mat Coleman leads today’s discussion from Geraldton in Western Australia, where he calls in from his mobile phone.
Joining Mat are Doctors Neil Jeyasingam from Broken Hill, Siva Bala from Cairns and Sela Mulholland from Broome. Mat’s mobile phone connection is less than ideal, but stay with us for this very interesting discussion.
Associate Professor Mat Coleman is the Clinical Director of the Great Southern Mental Health Service (WA Country Health Service) based out of Albany WA. He is also the inaugural chair of Rural and Remote Mental Health Practice for the Rural Clinical School WA (University of Western Australia) and is a Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission. Mat is a member of the Faculty of Addiction Psychiatry, and the Child and Adolescent Faculty of the RANZCP and is the current chair of the Section of Rural Psychiatry.
Dr Neil Jeyasingam is the Clinical Director of Far West Local Health District Mental Health Drug and Alcohol. A Senior Clinical Lecturer with Sydney University, his personal website is www.profectuspsych.com.au
Dr Selamawit Mulholland is a Stage 3 psychiatry registrar with a passion for remote psychiatry. She has lived and worked in regional and rural Victoria, remote Far North Queensland and remote WA.
Dr Siva Bala is the Chair of the RANZCP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee and currently based in Cairns Queensland. He has a certificate of advanced training in Adult Psychiatry and is a member of the Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry. Siva has been an advisor to State and Federal Governments and mental health commissions in Indigenous mental health policy.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Dr Elder is the author of Aroha:Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet and in this episode of Psych Matters facilitated by Dr Andrew Amos, she discussed how spiritual stories of the Māori people can improve the health and wellbeing of psychiatrists and their patients through expanded understanding of the meaning of absolute self-determination, the rhythms of kinship and relationship, and awareness of the world around us.
Dr Hinemoa Elder is Māori, of Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi descent.
Hinemoa is a mother of two adult children. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist working in both District Health Boards and private practice in the fields of community and inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry, youth forensic and neuropsychiatry. Dr Elder is an advocate for use of Te Reo Māori, the Māori language.
Hinemoa was the Māori Strategic Leader for the Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) for the Ageing Brain based at University of Auckland for the last 6 years. She continues to be involved in research regarding traumatic brain injury, stroke and dementia. She has a PhD (Massey University, 2012) and was recipient of a NZ Health Research Council Eru Pomare Post-Doctoral Fellowship from 2014-2018.
Dr Elder is a deputy psychiatrist member of the NZ Mental Health Review Tribunal and a Specialist Assessor under the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003. Hinemoa has been a Director of Emerge Aotearoa a national NGO working to support those with mental health, addictions and with social housing since 2015.
Hinemoa received the NZ Order of Merit for services to Māori and Psychiatry in 2019. Dr Elder was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Science Advisor’s Cannabis Panel in 2019 for the referendum in 2020. She travelled to Antarctica in late 2019 as part of Homeward Bound, a global leadership programme for women in science.
Dr Elder is the author of numerous scientific papers and book chapters. She is a member of the World Psychiatric Association working group of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. She is also the Chair of the IACAPAP Indigenous Working Group. Hinemoa is also the author of ‘Aroha, Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet’ (Penguin Random House 2020), which has recently been chosen for the Oprah Winfrey Book Club. The book is currently being translated into Arabic.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
The Section of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry is comprised of a small group of psychiatrists from around Australia and New Zealand. It is an active section that hosts the only annual Youth Forensic conference worldwide. In this podcast, members of the binational committee for Child and Adolescent Youth Forensic Psychiatry discuss violence in Youth.
Their discussions will include the historical context in which rates of violence currently exist, the link between violence and various mental health, personality and neurodevelopmental diagnostic groups, and some specific violence interventions being developed in Melbourne.
They also talk about assessing risk of violence and the tools that they sometimes use to assess risk and target areas for intervention. While this is a relatively narrow specialist topic, the point around considering strengths when assessing risk in the absence of known adult function is emphasised during the podcast.
Dr James GardinerChair of NZ Branch of the Section of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry.
Dr Adam DeaconConsultant Forensic Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Alfred Health - Youth Forensic Specialist Service
Associate Professor John KasinathanMBBS (Hons I; Syd), M.Psychiatry, FRANZCP, Cert. Forensic Psych., M.FMH (UNSW), Cert. Child Adol. Psych.
Consultant Forensic, Child, Adolescent and Generalist Psychiatrist
Conjoint Associate Professor, UNSW Medicine
Clinical Director Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW Health
Medical Director Adolescent and Young Adult Program, Northside Clinic St Leonards
Associate Professor Scott HardenMedical Director Forensic Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital and Health Service
Child, Adolescent and Adult Forensic Psychiatrist
Assisting Psychiatrist Qld Mental Health Court
Dr Enys DelmageConsultant Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Otago University
Dr Brendan DaughertyConsultant Child and Adolescent, General Adult and Forensic Psychiatrist
Staff Specialist in Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW
Visiting Medical Officer, Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, NT
Dr Annie ParsonsChild, Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist
Cobham Youth Justice Centre & Adolescent Court and Community Team,
Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
The Section of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry is comprised of a small group of psychiatrists from around Australia and New Zealand. It is an active section that hosts the only annual Youth Forensic conference worldwide. In this podcast, members of the binational committee for Child and Adolescent Youth Forensic Psychiatry discuss violence in Youth.
Their discussions will include the historical context in which rates of violence currently exist, the link between violence and various mental health, personality and neurodevelopmental diagnostic groups, and some specific violence interventions being developed in Melbourne.
They also talk about assessing risk of violence and the tools that they sometimes use to assess risk and target areas for intervention. While this is a relatively narrow specialist topic, the point around considering strengths when assessing risk in the absence of known adult function is emphasised during the podcast.
Dr James GardinerChair of NZ Branch of the Section of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry.
Dr Adam DeaconConsultant Forensic Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Alfred Health - Youth Forensic Specialist Service
Associate Professor John KasinathanMBBS (Hons I; Syd), M.Psychiatry, FRANZCP, Cert. Forensic Psych., M.FMH (UNSW), Cert. Child Adol. Psych.
Consultant Forensic, Child, Adolescent and Generalist Psychiatrist
Conjoint Associate Professor, UNSW Medicine
Clinical Director Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW Health
Medical Director Adolescent and Young Adult Program, Northside Clinic St Leonards
Associate Professor Scott HardenMedical Director Forensic Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital and Health Service
Child, Adolescent and Adult Forensic Psychiatrist
Assisting Psychiatrist Qld Mental Health Court
Dr Enys DelmageConsultant Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Otago University
Dr Brendan DaughertyConsultant Child and Adolescent, General Adult and Forensic Psychiatrist
Staff Specialist in Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW
Visiting Medical Officer, Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, NT
Dr Annie ParsonsChild, Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist
Cobham Youth Justice Centre & Adolescent Court and Community Team,
Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
The year 2020 will be remembered as the year of the most significant global pandemic since the Spanish influenza.
Our mental health system is chronically strained and health professionals regularly struggle with burnout, at the best of times. The workforce shortage has consistently impacted the care provided to patients and COVID-19 introduced additional challenges.
At international, national and community levels, leaders across all sectors have been required to respond to both direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 crisis, with little time for preparation, and in a constantly changing environment.
In this podcast, influential leaders in the field discuss some leadership strategies and talk through ongoing challenges and ways of working with the system and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to drive change in the best interests of doctors and patients.
Dr Murray Wright is the Chief Psychiatrist at NSW Ministry of Health and has maintained a private practice since 1990, and has a longstanding relationship with NSW Police, providing clinical advice and support to the Negotiation and Fixated Persons Units.
Dr Astha Tomar is Chair, Victorian Branch, RANZCP and Head of Youth, Peninsula Health, and a Member of the Mental Health Ministerial Advisory Committee, Victoria. She has worked extensively with various committees and groups at a state and national level to engage psychiatrists in clinical leadership, healthcare governance, system development and advocate for systemic change and improvement. She is currently working on a Leadership development program for psychiatrists.
Dr Ruth Vine is Australia’s first Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health. Ruth provides policy advice on critical mental health issues impacting the Australian community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and champions Commonwealth policy development and implementation activities to better integrate the Australian mental health system. Ruth is a consultant psychiatrist and has more than 25 years’ experience. Ruth has worked for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, and has held positions of Deputy Chief Psychiatrist, Chief Psychiatrist and Director of Mental Health. She has chaired the AHMAC National Mental Health Standing Committee, the National Mental Health Workforce Committee, and National Safety and Quality Committee.
Ruth is a member of the board of Forensicare, the Board of Mind and the Victorian Medical Practitioners Board (Victoria).
Dr Nardine Elzahaby is an early career psychiatrist at Austin health, runs a telehealth private practice and is the co-founder and co-owner of IMG SOS.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
The execution of individuals with mental disorder is prohibited by international law, such that the presence of mental disorder, and how it is dealt with during the investigatory or trial and sentencing process, may render a conviction legally unsafe. Although legal principles designed to protect those with mental disorder from the death penalty are not in dispute, for them to operate mental health professionals must be both equipped with relevant clinico-ethico-legal expertise and be prepared to engage in the process. Engaging in such cases represents the most extreme focus of the usual clinical, legal and ethical issues involved in all evaluations for criminal courts. Crucial to not avoiding engagement in such cases must be the recognition that they do not raise ‘different’ issues for forensic practitioners but merely offer extreme representations of those issues.
Dr Jay Sarkar is a Consultant with Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Forensicare and Spectrum Personality Disorder Service, Melbourne. He was previously an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Singapore. He has a particular interest in capital cases and provided expert testimony in over 100 cases and counting. His testimony has helped prevent deaths of many.
Dr Danny Sullivan is a UK and Australian-trained forensic psychiatrist, currently Executive Director of Clinical Services of Forensicare, the statewide Victorian forensic mental health service. He has provided expert evidence in criminal matters in may jurisdictions for 20 years. Over recent years he has been involved with the Capital Punishment Justice Project and Project 39A, providing training to clinicians and the judiciary in India to address access to mental health assessment, treatment, and expert evidence for those subject to the death penalty.
Associate Professor John KasinathanConsultant Forensic, Child, Adolescent and Generalist Psychiatrist
Conjoint Associate Professor, UNSW Medicine
Clinical Director Adolescent Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW Health
Medical Director Adolescent and Young Adult Program, Northside Clinic St Leonards
Resources
- CPJP – Standing for a world without the death penalty
- Project 39A — Deathworthy
- Ashford J and Kupferberg M (2013) Death Penalty Mitigation: A Handbook for Mitigation Specialists, Investigators, Social scientists and Lawyers. Oxford University Press, New York
- DeMatteo D, Murrie D, Anumba N and Keesler M (2011) Forensic Mental Health Assessments in Death Penalty Cases. Oxford University Press, New York
- Eastman N, Krljes S, Latham R and Lyall M (2018) Handbook of Forensic Psychiatric Practice in Capital Cases, Second Edition, Death Penalty Project, London.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Professor Lee-Fay Low is joined by Professor Henry Brodaty, Associate Professor Lyn Phillipson and Dr Meredith Gresham to discuss how to tell someone they have dementia, the evidence for post-diagnostic treatments and support, and the resources available at https://www.forwardwithdementia.org/au/
Professor Lee-Fay Low is Professor in Ageing and Health, University of Sydney. She is a registered psychologist and conducts research on rehabilitation and dementia, stigma, and interventions to improve quality of life of older people.
Professor Henry Brodaty is a researcher, clinician, policy advisor and strong advocate for people with dementia and their carers. At UNSW Sydney, he is Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health, Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, and Director, Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration. He has published extensively, is a senior psychogeriatrician at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney. He serves on multiple committees for the NSW and Australian governments and WHO.
Lyn Phillipson is an Associate Professor in Public Health at University of Wollongong. Lyn has expertise in promoting understanding and change to support the creation of dementia friendly communities, improve respite for carers of people with dementia and improve dementia help-seeking and service utilisation .
Dr Meredith Gresham is an Occupational Therapist with over 35 years clinical and research experience. Her practice has focused on dementia care in residential aged care, hospitals, community, rehabilitation and palliative care settings.
Links:Forward with Dementiahttps://www.forwardwithdementia.org/au/
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
The prevalence of intellectual disability ( or ID) in Australia is about 1 to 2% of the population and it is now recognized that not only do adults with an ID experience substantially higher rates of mental health problems than the rest of the population, but they also have difficulties in getting these needs met because of the range of barriers to people in accessing mental health services. These barriers are discussed in this podcast along with suggestions as to how professionals can approach looking after people with intellectual disability and mental health problems.
Dr Nick O’Connor
Clinical Lead, Mental Health Patient Safety Program, NSW Clinical Excellence Commission
Professor Julian Trollor
Chair, Intellectual Disability Mental Health and Head, Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN), School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney
President, Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine
Dr Catherine Franklin
Psychiatrist and Director of the Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service
Director of a University of Queensland Research Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Vice-President of the Australian Association for Developmental Disability Medicine
Dr Chad Bennett
Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director at the Victorian Dual Disability Service
Dr David Bathgate
Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at the Southern District Health Board Dunedin New Zealand
Tahli Hind
Project Administrator, Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN), School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney
Passionate Disability Advocate
Ms Claire Eagleson
Project Officer, Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN), School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney
Claire is a Project Officer at 3DN with a background in psychology. She manages various projects that aim to improve workforce and education capacity in intellectual disability mental health. One such project involved working with the RANZCP to examine workforce and future training capacity in this area. She is working with Tahli to support her in her role at 3DN, gaining valuable experience in using a co-design approach.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
Dr Fiona Wilkes, Stage 2 Psychiatry Trainee, Dr Angus Finlay, Stage 3 Advanced Trainee, and Professor Jeffrey Looi, Psychiatrist, discuss their experiences in choosing and training in Psychiatry as a career. They discuss the process of choosing psychiatric training, experiences of training, the nature of the work with people suffering from mental illness, and the varied career possibilities within psychiatry. Listeners might also be interested in the related Psych Matters podcast “Challenges for early career psychiatrists”, which discusses early career matters, including work-life balance.
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 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 220 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Dr Fiona Wilkes, BSc (Hons), MChD, PhD (ANU) is a Stage 2 psychiatry trainee in Canberra and researcher and Associate Clinical Lecturer at the ANU Medical School. Her research interests are in neuroscience and how the brain influences behaviour. This began with her psychology undergraduate degree and spans honours in honeybee brains, a PhD in neuroanatomical changes in Huntington disease, and work as a doctor in neurosurgery and then psychiatry. She also has a miniature Australian bulldog, practices Iyengar yoga, and speaks a little German.
Dr Angus Finlay is the Academic Fellow at the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine within the Australian National University Medical School, and an Advanced Trainee in the Consultation-Liaison Service at Canberra Hospital. He is an enthusiastic promoter of clinical psychiatry, research and clinical teaching, both within mental health services and across the general hospital. His research interests include psychiatric epidemiology, climate change and mental health, and medical education.
SAGE JournalsMembers login to RANZCP.org and access journals. Search for these titles on the Journals website:
- Why it’s worthwhile training as a psychiatrist (Jeffrey CL Looi, Angus JF Finlay)
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Tanveer Ahmed and Dr Elizabeth Moore discuss the work and significance of the social, cultural and rehabilitation section of the College.
Dr Tanveer Ahmed is a Sydney based psychiatrist, author and columnist. He works in both the private and public sectors, including as a Staff Specialist at Bankstown Community Health.
Dr Elizabeth Moore is the Coordinator General of the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing and the President elect of the RANZCP.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
As 2021 draws to a close, the Psych Matters team would like to thank you for your support during the year.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed the many topics presented during 2021, and we look forward to bringing many more to you in 2022.
We would especially like to thank College members and others who have generously given their time to develop and present Psych Matters, and we thank the management and staff of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists for supporting the team in bringing this podcast to you.
Have a great break and stay safe.
We’ll be back on the 7th of January with the next episode of Psych Matters.
Speaker: Jo-Rose Fato
Producer: David Beal
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Vinay Lakra is joined by Dr Sidney Cabral, Dr Alida Connell and Dr Ajay Vijayakrishnan to discuss specialist international medical graduates transitioning to practice.
Associate Professor Vinay LakraAssociate Professor Vinay Lakra is the President of the College. He is also a Clinical Director and a member of the Victorian Board of Medical Board of Australia. He completed his medical and psychiatry training in India. He has had extensive involvement in supporting, training and mentoring SIMGs besides developing the assessment standards for SMIGs.
Dr Sidney CabralSidney works as Deputy Director of Training Queensland and Director of Training for Central and Southern Cluster. His focus is on supporting Trainees and International Medical Graduates from metropolitan and regional areas and has taken the lead in developing online resources for Queensland Trainees including the PGT website.
He has always had an interest in medical education and was awarded the Deans Award for Excellence in Teaching, Newcastle University, NSW in 2005. He has been a member of several training-related committees and is currently the Chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry Federal Partial Comparability Assessment and Review Panel (PCARP).
Sidney is passionate about working with patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and has a clinical role with the State-wide Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Service.
Dr Alida Connell
MBChB (Pret), DMH (CMSA), FCPsych (CMSA), MMed (Stell), FRANZCP (RANZCP).
Dr Alida Connell trained and practiced as a General Practitioner before qualifying as a Fellow Psychiatrist of the South African College of Medicine and obtaining a Master’s in Medicine for her research in the field of Psychiatry. Currently she practices in the private health sector and provides telepsychiatric services to adults.
Dr Ajay Vijayakrishnan MRCPsych, FHEA, FRANZCP
A general adult psychiatrist with a special interest in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, trained at St George’s and Charing Cross in London, UK; previously a substantive Consultant in the NHS and later in India; currently working across public and private health in 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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Professor Colleen Loo and Dr Brett Simpson discuss Electro Convulsive Therapy.
Professor Colleen Loo is a clinical psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales, Sydney; Australia. She is an internationally recognised clinical expert and researcher in the field of ECT, ketamine and novel brain stimulation treatments (rTMS, tDCS) for depression. Her research spans laboratory neuroscience, clinical research and clinical trials. She has contributed to Australian and international treatment guidelines and policy.
Dr Brett Simpson is an old-age psychiatrist practicing in Sydney. He has extensive clinical experience in ECT and directs both a public and private ECT service. He is a member of the NSW ECT working party responsible for the production and revision of the NSW ECT Minimum Standards. He has taught ECT courses for more than 10 years.
Links:
Gold Coast Health video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEot7ow3yfk
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Nathan Gibson shares a panel discussion from a workshop, recently hosted at Congress in Hobart.
The workshop provided valuable information and insight into the written exams and the marking process.
Disclaimer:
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, Associate Professor Mat Coleman and his guests discuss Smoking Cessation & E-Cigarettes.
Joining in the discussion are Professor Hayden McRobbie and Dr Mark Montebello.
Associate Professor Mat Coleman is the Clinical Director of the Great Southern Mental Health Service (WA Country Health Service) based out of Albany WA. He is also the inaugural chair of Rural and Remote Mental Health Practice for the Rural Clinical School WA (University of Western Australia) and is a Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission. Mat is a member of the Faculty of Addiction Psychiatry, and the Child and Adolescent Faculty of the RANZCP and is the current chair of the Section of Rural Psychiatry.
Professor Hayden McRobbie, MB ChB (Otago), PhD (London), FASLMHayden has worked in the field of behavioural medicine for more than 20 years and is a senior clinician with a specialist interest in lifestyle medicine. He holds a medical degree from the University of Otago, a doctorate from the University of London, and is Professor in Public Health Interventions at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, and a Fellow of the Australasian Society for Lifestyle Medicine. Hayden has played a key role in Tobacco Control in New Zealand, and his current work includes prevention and management of long-term conditions, with a particular focus on improving health outcomes for Māori in New Zealand. Hayden McRobbie has received honoraria for speaking at smoking cessation meetings and attending advisory board meetings that have been organised by Pfizer
Dr Mark Montebello is the Clinical Director of the Northern Sydney Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Service. He is a Psychiatrist, an Addiction Medicine Specialist, a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, and a Clinical Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Addiction Medicine, Northern Clinical School at the University of Sydney. Dr Montebello’s research interests include novel treatments for substance use disorders including nicotine use disorder withdrawal management in drug and alcohol settings. He was the Psychiatry Board Member for the Australian Association of Smoking Cessation Professionals. Mark Montebello has received honoraria for speaking at smoking cessation meetings and attending advisory board meetings that have been organised by Pfizer.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Members of the RANZCP Military, Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network engage in a lively discussion of how to improve assessment of current serving members and ex-serving veterans of the Australian Defence Force. This includes conducting a tailored history-taking process that includes specific aspects of service and transition to civilian life. Practical guidance for clinicians on specific details to consider and address during assessment is covered. Comorbid conditions, chronic pain and the needs of both women and older veterans are also discussed.
Speakers:
Dr Wallace was appointed to his current position as psychiatrist at the Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health, at HMAS Penguin, Sydney, in 2010. In March 2018, he was appointed as the inaugural chairman of the RANZCP Military and Veterans’ Mental Health Network and is now a member of the RANZCP Military, Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel Network Committee. He has been a Visiting Medical Officer at St John of God Hospital, North Richmond since 2015 and is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of NSW.Lieutenant Colonel Diana McKay is a fulltime psychiatrist in the Australian Army. She has worked in public and private civilian practice as an adult psychiatrist, with special interest in trauma and anxiety disorders, perinatal psychiatry and clinical education. She is a member of the RANZCP Military, Veterans’ and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network Committee. She is Honorary Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University. Dr Tom Turvey is a senior advanced trainee in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry. He has an interest in matters of military psychiatry which stems from his Father and his 7 siblings all being military and having spent the last 2 years being specifically involved and trained in military psychiatry. Tom is a member of the RANZCP Military Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel Network and a member of the Australian Military Medicine Association.Resources:
Wallace D, Lane J, Heffernan K, Nas Jones C. Australian military and veterans’ mental health care: improving assessment of military personnel and veterans. Australasian Psychiatry. 2021 Apr;29(2):153-6.
Lane J and Wallace D. Australian Military and Veteran’s Mental Health Care, Part 1: An Introduction to Cultural Essentials for Clinicians. Australasian Psychiatry 2020: 28 (3), 267-269.
Shepard B. A war of nerves: Soldiers and psychiatrists in the twentieth century. Harvard University Press; 2001.
Phoenix Australia’s 2020 Australian Guidelines for the Management of PTSD and CPTSDFeedback:
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.
Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in Australia. People with mental illness and substance use disorders smoke at rates significantly higher than the general population, have high levels of nicotine dependence and are less likely to be offered treatment to stop smoking. The management of tobacco smoking is one of the most important activities a mental health clinician or service can undertake in terms of reducing mortality, improving quality of life and improving the efficacy of mental health treatment. This podcast examines the barriers, myths and evidence-based treatments for people who are dependent on tobacco and who experience a mental illness or other substance addiction. Associate Professor Mat Coleman leads the discussion.
Psychiatrists have expertise in understanding and managing mental health and substance use conditions in addition to experience interacting with a vulnerable group of patients who require more intensive smoking cessation support.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Supporting Smoking Cessation guidelines, highlight cessation rates of people with mental health illness are generally lower for any given level of assistance and the treatment of mental illness must be monitored carefully as neuropsychiatric symptoms are more common during quit attempts in this population.
Keep an eye out for further Smoking Cessation Resource for mental Health Clinicians resources on the RANZCP website.
Speakers:
- Associate Professor Mat Coleman
- Professor Sharon Lawn
- Associate Professor John Allan
- Dr Tanya Ahmed
- Dr Kelly Ridley
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This episode provides a quick clinical update on the evidence-base and recommendations for managing mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and includes research and clinical recommendations regarding media exposure, managing misinformation, communication and maintaining mental health during the current pandemic.
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 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 and is a co-author on more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, including research at the UCLA Medical School, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Dr Paul Anthony Maguire, MBBS UNSW, PhD ANU, FRANZCP, is a clinical and academic psychiatrist, working in public practice, and Co-Deputy Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University Medical School. Paul has worked both as an inpatient consultant and community psychiatrist for many years. He is a co-author on more than 20 peer-reviewed papers, and on a book chapter. His special interest areas are the physical health of people with a mental illness, pandemic influenza, risk perception, and schizophrenia. Prior to his transition to clinical and academic psychiatry, Paul worked as a general practitioner in the Canberra community for many years.
Papers discussed – search for these titles in the specified journals through the RANZCP website journal access
ANZJP
- Neither the internist or the internet: use of and trust in health information sources by persons with schizophrenia – first author: Maguire, PA
- Fire, disease and fear: effects of the media coverage of the 2019-2020 bushfires and novel coronavirus 2019 on population mental health – first author: Looi, JCL
- Vulnerability of people with schizophrenia to COVID-19 – first author: Maguire, PA
Australasian Psychiatry
- Nothing to sneeze at – uptake of protective measures against an influenza pandemic by people with schizophrenia: willingness and perceived barriers – first author: Maguire, PA
- A sense of dread: affect and risk perception in people with schizophrenia during an influenza pandemic – first author: Maguire, PA
- Clinical update on managing media exposure and misinformation during COVID-19: recommendations for governments and healthcare professionals – first author: Looi, JCL
Reputable information sources for patients
https://www.australia.gov.au
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Andrew Amos and Professor Valsamma Eapen discuss the neurodevelopmental disorder, Tourette Syndrome.
Professor Valsamma Eapen is Professor and Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney and Head, Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry and Director of BestSTART Child Health Academic Unit at South West Sydney. She is Director of Early Years Program, Autism Cooperative Research Centre and Stream Director of Early Life Determinants of Health Clinical Academic Group within SPHERE, a NHMRC accredited Advanced Health Research Translation Centre. She is known internationally for her expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and Tourette Syndrome. She is part of major research programs totalling 40 million in funding and has authored over 300 peer reviewed publications.
Links:Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrdp201697
Nature Reviews Disease Primers 3, Article number: 16097 (2017)volume 3, Article number: 16097 (2017)
https://www.nature.com/nrdp/
Tourette Syndrome in children. Valsamma Eapen and Tim Usherwood, Australian Journal of General Practice , 50 (3), 120-125 (2021).
https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/march/tourette-syndrome-in-children
Children with Tourette Syndrome and Covid-19
https://tourette.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TS-COVID-19_Resource_2020.pdf
Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia
https://tourette.org.au/
Tourette Association of America
https://tourette.org/
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This Psych Matters podcast discusses the challenges faced by early career psychiatrists as they transition into a consultant psychiatrist role in the public or private sectors. Drawing on the experiences of early-career, early-mid-career and mid-later-career psychiatrists, Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, Dr Samantha Loi and Dr Daniel Heard discuss issues including: clinical, leadership, supervision, academic, and work-life balance.
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 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 200 peer-reviewed papers, including research at the UCLA Medical School, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Dr Samantha Loi, MBBS, BMedSc, MPsych, FRANZCP, GradCertPOA, PhD. is a neuropsychiatrist and old age psychiatrist, involved in clinical research at Neuropsychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne. She is an advocate for early career psychiatrists and women in academia and leads a longitudinal study of people with younger-onset neurocognitive disorders (BeYOND). She is currently funded by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship and is a past recipient of the RANZCP early Career Psychiatrist award. She has over 60 peer reviewed publications and is first author in 30.
Dr Daniel Heard, BSc/LLB, MBBS(Hons) ANU, MPsych Melb, FRANZCP, Cert. Old Age Psych, is an early career old age psychiatrist working in the Older Person’s Mental Health Community Team, Canberra Health Services. He trained in psychiatry at NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne, and has co-authored four peer reviewed publications, including two systematic literature reviews on the topic of repurposing drugs for the treatment of dementia.
SAGE JournalsMembers login to RANZCP.org and access journals. Search for this title on the Journals website:
- Reflections on how to approach early career psychiatrist roles and challenges
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Kym Jenkins, Dr Jon Jureidini and Dr Sue Lutton discuss the Philosophical and ethical issues of working with asylum seekers and refugees.
Dr Kym Jenkins is a Consultant psychiatrist, specialising in psychotherapy and consultation-liaison psychiatry. She is Chair of Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, Chair of the Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership and a past-President Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Kym has held various roles in public and private psychiatry, medical education and not-for profit organisations. She has a clinical interest in Refugee and Asylum Seeker mental health, as well as a longstanding clinical and academic interest in the health and welfare of medical professionals. Kym was medical director of Victorian Doctors Health Program for 2007-17 and was the inaugural chair of the DrHSpty advisory group. Currently Kym is on the executive of Hand-n-Hand Peer support.
Kym’s other roles currently include:
- Adjunct Senior lecturer at Monash University and Honorary Senior Fellow at Melbourne University
- Chair of Support for Rural Specialists Australia (SRSA), Member of Australian Medical Council
Dr Jon Jureidini is a child psychiatrist who heads Adelaide University’s Critical and Ethical Mental Health research group (CEMH), which promotes safer, more effective and more ethical research and practice in mental health; and the Paediatric Mental Health Training Unit (PMHTU), which provides training in non-pathologising approaches to primary care mental health. He is chair of Australian-Palestinian Partnerships in Education and Health.
Dr Sue Lutton works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Perth in private practice and in a refugee trauma clinic.
She has worked for over fifteen years with asylum seekers and refugees in a torture and trauma service for refugees. This involves direct clinical care of community detention asylum seekers, refugees and also the clinical supervision and teaching of staff and registrars.
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, authors of the 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders, address some key aspects of translating and implementing the guidelines into clinical practice. These key areas were selected based on feedback received since the publication of the guidelines in January 2021, and include both practical aspects of clinical management, and novel treatments on the horizon.Speakers:
Professor Gin Malhi – University of Sydney
Doctoral Researcher Erica Bell – University of Sydney
Associate Professor Darryl Bassett – University of Western Australia
Professor Phil Boyce – University of Sydney
Professor Roger Mulder – University of Otago, Christchurch
Professor Malcolm Hopwood – University of MelbourneSAGE JournalsMembers login to RANZCP.org and access journals. Search for these titles on the Journals website:
- The positioning of rTMS
- Profiling rTMS: A critical response
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.org
Disclaimer:
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.
This episode of Psych Matters discusses the Australian psychiatric healthcare implications of the advent of Managed Care in Private Health Insurance with the recent emergence of a private company that can selectively contract with healthcare providers on behalf of insurers. The basic characteristics of managed care: selective contracting, financial incentives for performance and utilisation management present significant challenges for psychiatric care in Australia, especially in the context of the failures of managed care in the United States where it originated.
Professor Jeffrey Looi and Dr William Pring present the healthcare policy background and discuss the clinical implications of managed care.
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 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 195 peer-reviewed papers, including research at the UCLA Medical School, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Dr Bill Pring is a general psychiatrist who works predominantly in private practice, but was also been involved in consultation–liaison (Psychosomatics) psychiatry in the public sector for twenty–four years.
Bill served on the Victorian Branch of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) including as Branch General Councillor. Within the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Bill has served as Psychiatry Craft Group Representative on the AMA Federal Council and was the Chair of the Federal AMA Public Health and Aged Care Committee, and an AMA Observer on Private Mental Health Alliance (PMHA).
SAGE Journals
Members login to RANZCP.org and access journals. Search for this title on the Journals website:
- A clinical update on managed care implications for Australian psychiatric practice
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.org
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Andrew Amos is joined by Dr Manjula O'Connor and Dr Karen Williams for a second, more clinically oriented podcast on Coercive Control.
Dr Karen Williams describes specific strategies used by male perpetrators to systematically destroy female partner’s sense of agency and eliminate alternative sources of social, emotional, and financial support.
Dr Manjula O’Connor reports research showing how the learned helplessness associated with complete dependence on their abusers significantly increased the risk of suicide in a group of Australian women subject to coercive control.
The podcast ends with a broad-ranging discussion including psychiatrists’ role in helping women achieve freedom from abuse by providing a trusted relationship, and the societal changes which are needed for a definitive solution.
Some listeners may find the topic confronting. If you are worried about your own or others' wellbeing you can find crisis contacts on the RANZCP'S "Your Health in Mind" website.
Disclaimer:
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.
This episode of Psych Matters discusses research conducted by the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy Research and Analysis (CAPIPRA), focused on improve mental healthcare delivery for patients and the community. The research addresses responses to various commissions and inquiries related to mental healthcare, as well as analysis of population datasets on mental healthcare.
Professors Jeffrey Looi and Tarun Bastiampillai present their collaborative research.
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 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 195 peer-reviewed papers, including research at the UCLA Medical School, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Professor Tarun Bastiampillai, MBBS Adl, BMEDSc Adl, FRANZCP is a consultant psychiatrist and Clinical Professor at both Monash and Flinders University. Tarun is also a member of the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has served in several senior leadership roles, having been appointed SA Department of Health, Executive Director of Mental Health Strategy between 2015 to 2018. He is the recipient of the RANZCP 2020 Margaret Tobin Award for outstanding achievement in administrative psychiatry. He has published his research extensively including within, high-impact journals - JAMA, Lancet and Molecular Psychiatry.
SAGE JournalsMembers login to RANZCP.org and access journals. Search for these titles on the Journals website:
- The productivity commission report on mental health: Recommendations with negative consequences for clinical care in public and private sectors
- Tertiary eating disorder services: is it time to integrate specialty care across the life span?
- National mental health policy and Australia’s ‘Deaths of despair’
Other papers:
- Headspace, an Australian Youth Mental Health Network:
Lessons for Canadian Mental Healthcare - The COVID-19 pandemic and epidemiologic insights from recession-related suicide mortality
- When should governments increase the supply of psychiatric beds?
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Manjula O'Connor, Chair of the RANZCP's Family Violence Psychiatry Network, and Dr Karen Williams, Founder of the advocacy and support group Doctors Against Violence Towards Women, educate Dr Andrew Amos on the legal, clinical, and social functions of the recently established category of domestic violence known as coercive control. Dr O'Connor and Dr Williams explain that the new category was developed to protect a significant number of vulnerable women and children severely harmed by strategic manipulation leaving them entirely dependent upon predatory male partners, without necessarily suffering the grievous assaults or injuries previously required to trigger legal and social remedies.
Disclaimer:
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, Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi and Dr Rebecca Reay discuss Contemporary Research on Private Psychiatry and Psychological Services.
Speakers:
Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi
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 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 180 peer-reviewed papers, including research at the UCLA Medical School, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.
Dr Rebecca Reay
Dr Rebecca Reay is a senior research coordinator and lecturer with the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the ANU Medical School. She also works as an Occupational Therapist in private practice in the ACT. Her research interests include trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms in children, adolescents, and perinatal women. Other interests include the prevention and treatment of mental health problems in parents using Interpersonal Psychotherapy, couple therapy, mother-infant attachment work and group therapy.
Links:
A list of linked papers from Australasian Psychiatry for reference.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1039856221992634https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1039856220975294https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1039856220960381https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1039856220961906
Disclaimer:
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, Dr Salam Hussain and Professor Paul Fitzgerald discuss Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
Speakers:
Dr Salam Hussain
Salam Hussain is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH), in the area of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Emergency Psychiatry, and a Lead Clinician for the Neuromodulation unit at the SCGH Day Procedure Unit. Adjunct Senior Clinical Lecturer at the School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences University of Western Australia. Salam is a qualified psychiatrist trained in Western Australia and Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and International Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Salam is the Chair of Section of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Neurostimulation.
Professor Paul Fitzgerald
Paul Fitzgerald is Professor of Psychiatry at Monash University and Director of the Epworth Centre for Innovation in Mental Health based at Epworth Camberwell. He is a qualified psychiatrist, has a Masters of Psychological Medicine and research PhD.
His main clinical and academic interest is in the development, evaluation and clinical translation of new therapies for mental health conditions. He has conducted over twenty clinical trials in depression, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD, autism and Alzheimer’s disease along with over 50 experimental studies. He has established multiple clinical TMS services, is a founder and board member of TMS Clinics Australia, and established Australia’s first TMS clinical training program. He has had continual NHMRC grant support for almost 20 years and over $10 million in research support in the last 5 years.
Links:Professor Paul B Fitzgerald - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
https://www.paulbfitzgerald.com/tms.html
RANZCP Section of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Neurostimulation
https://www.ranzcp.org/membership/faculties-sections-and-networks/electroconvulsive-therapy-and-neurostimulation
Disclaimer:
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, Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi and his guests discuss a day in the life of private practice.
Speakers:
Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi
Dr Michelle Atchison
Dr Gary Galambos
Links:
Private psychiatry in Australia: reflections on career opportunities, benefits, and challenges
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1039856220978856
RANZCP Section of Private Practice Psychiatry
https://www.ranzcp.org/membership/faculties-sections-and-networks/private-practice-psychiatry
Disclaimer: 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, Dr Michael Gardner, Associate Professor Robert Selzer and Dr Phoebe Gao discuss approaching the Critical Essay Question (CEQ).
The CEQ examination assesses candidates’ ability to evaluate and critically appraise a proposition relevant to psychiatry, apply an evidence-based analysis and demonstrate a capacity for balanced reasoning.
Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad understanding of various training and/or assessment topics. The podcast may represent the views of the speakers 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 formal advice or as a substitute for preparation. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website.
In this episode of Psych Matters, Associate Professor Stephen Parker, Dr Catherine Maud, Dr Karen Freier and Dr Roth Trisno share their own personal insights and opinions on how to prepare for Modified Essay Questions exam and are not necessarily the views of the Committee for examinations and the College.
The Essay-style exam is a summative assessment and a Fellowship requirement of the RANZCP Fellowship Program.
It is set at the standard expected at the end of Stage 3 and assesses the application of knowledge and the capacity for critical thinking.
Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad understanding of various training and/or assessment topics. The podcast may represent the views of the speakers 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 formal advice or as a substitute for preparation. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website.
In this episode of Psych Matters, Professor Gin Malhi and his guests discuss The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders. This discussion is the 3rd in the series and focusses on Management of Bipolar Disorder.
Speakers:
Professor Gin Malhi – University of Sydney
Doctoral Researcher Erica Bell – University of Sydney
Associate Professor Darryl Bassett – University of Western Australia
Professor Greg Murray – Swinburne University of Technology
Professor Richard Porter – University of Otago
Associate Professor Ajeet Singh – Deakin University
Professor Malcolm Hopwood – University of Melbourne
The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders
The guidelines provide up-to-date guidance regarding the management of mood disorders that is informed by evidence and clinical experience. The guidelines are intended for clinical use by psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and others with an interest in mental health care. The guidelines were developed by the Mood disorders committee: Gin S Malhi (Chair), Erica Bell, Darryl Bassett, Philip Boyce, Richard Bryant, Philip Hazell, Malcolm Hopwood, Bill Lyndon, Roger Mulder, Richard Porter, Ajeet B Singh and Greg Murray.
Resources:
The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders
https://www.ranzcp.org/practice-education/guidelines-and-resources-for-practice/mood-disorders-cpg-and-associated-resources
Disclaimer: 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, Professor Gin Malhi and his guests discuss The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders. This discussion is the 2nd in the series and focusses on Management of Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment Non-Response
Speakers:
Professor Gin Malhi – University of Sydney
Doctoral Researcher Erica Bell – University of Sydney
Professor Greg Murray – Swinburne University of Technology
Professor Phil Boyce – University of Sydney
Professor Phil Hazell – University of Sydney
Professor Malcolm Hopwood – University of Melbourne
The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders
The guidelines provide up-to-date guidance regarding the management of mood disorders that is informed by evidence and clinical experience. The guidelines are intended for clinical use by psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and others with an interest in mental health care. The guidelines were developed by the Mood disorders committee: Gin S Malhi (Chair), Erica Bell, Darryl Bassett, Philip Boyce, Richard Bryant, Philip Hazell, Malcolm Hopwood, Bill Lyndon, Roger Mulder, Richard Porter, Ajeet B Singh and Greg Murray.
Resources:
The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders
https://www.ranzcp.org/practice-education/guidelines-and-resources-for-practice/mood-disorders-cpg-and-associated-resources
Disclaimer: 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, Professor Gin Malhi and his guests discuss The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders. This discussion is the 1st in the series and focusses on Classification, Diagnosis, Assessment and Formulation.
Speakers:
Professor Gin Malhi – University of Sydney
Doctoral Researcher Erica Bell – University of Sydney
Professor Greg Murray – Swinburne University of Technology
Professor Phil Boyce – University of Sydney
Professor Roger Mulder – University of Otago, Christchurch
Professor Richard Porter - University of Otago, Christchurch
The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders
The guidelines provide up-to-date guidance regarding the management of mood disorders that is informed by evidence and clinical experience. The guidelines are intended for clinical use by psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and others with an interest in mental health care. The guidelines were developed by the Mood disorders committee: Gin S Malhi (Chair), Erica Bell, Darryl Bassett, Philip Boyce, Richard Bryant, Philip Hazell, Malcolm Hopwood, Bill Lyndon, Roger Mulder, Richard Porter, Ajeet B Singh and Greg Murray.
Resources:
The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders
https://www.ranzcp.org/practice-education/guidelines-and-resources-for-practice/mood-disorders-cpg-and-associated-resources
Disclaimer: 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.
Over the last few election cycles the RANZCP Board and its Presidents have pursued a conscious strategy of increasing efforts to communicate clear priorities to members and encouraging feedback on those priorities and other important issues. The COVID pandemic prevented delivery of the Presidential address as a centrepiece of the annual college congress, leading President John Allan to deliver an address at the virtual AGM in June. The address acknowledged the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the significant social disruption, but also highlighted the strong position of the RANZCP due to these years of strategic consolidation and the strong collaboration between staff and members.
In this episode of Psych Matters, Dr Andrew Amos interviews Associate Professor John Allan about the Board's unchanged ambition to promote the health and welfare of the psychiatric community in Australasia.
Associate Professor John Allan is the current President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). His term as President began in May 2019 and will conclude in May 2021.
https://www.ranzcp.org/about-us/about-the-college/board/associate-professor-john-allan
References:
Australasian Psychiatry podcast with Professor Ernest Hunter
https://journals.sagepub.com/page/apy/podcasts
Disclaimer: 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.
Borderline personality disorder is a very important area where there is not only a lot of distress but also a loss of quality of life and shortening of life.
In this episode of Psych Matters, Dr Nick Bendit joins experienced clinicians Associate Professor Sathya Rao and Associate Professor Josephine Beatson to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the patient with BPD and to try to explode some of the myths.
References:
Half in Love with Death: Managing the Chronically Suicidal Patient (2007)
https://www.bookdepository.com/Half-Love-With-Death-Joel-Paris/9780805860818
Spectrum, Personality Disorder Service for Victoria
https://www.spectrumbpd.com.au/
Disclaimer: 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 Dr Andrew Amos and his guests Dr Kathryn Turner and Dr Jessica Henry discuss how health services can approach suicide prevention, and support of health staff who care for people at risk of suicide.
No individual cases are mentioned, but some listeners may find the topic confronting.
If you are worried about your own or others' wellbeing you can find crisis contacts on the RANZCP'S "Your Health in Mind" website.
https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/get-help/first-steps-to-get-help
Disclaimer: 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 Dr Andrew Amos discusses the topic of The Role of Psychiatry in Treating Hepatitis C. His guests for this discussion are Dr Shalini Arunogiri and Dr Andrew Beckwith.
Disclaimer: 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.
Planning for Continuing Professional Development by developing a Professional Development Plan allows for consideration of the many facets of the practice of psychiatry and how each element may be enhanced through Continuing Professional Development. Learning activities may be planned with the aim of enhancing strengths, addressing issues, and to take advantage of opportunities for improvement in all aspects of practice.
In this episode of Psych Matters, Dr Andrew Amos leads a discussion on How to develop a Professional Development Plan.
Disclaimer: 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.
This episode of Psych Matters is the last of three episodes looking at perinatal and infant mental health.
In this episode, Professor Anne Buist is joined by Dr Nick Kowalenko and Dr Matthew Roberts to discuss fathers during the perinatal period, their mental health challenges and the effects on the infant.
References:SMS4dads provides new fathers with information and connections to online services through their mobile phones.www.sms4dads.com
Children of parents with mental illness - RANZCP Position Statement 56 - March 2016
https://www.ranzcp.org/news-policy/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/children-of-parents-with-mental-illness
Let’s Talk about children - Approach (3 pages)
https://d35y27n9vd273n.cloudfront.net/UjhwrIj7mqfaHdgEAHH4lGIloeGU0zB8plfbjnz2.pdf
Let’s Talk about infants and toddlers conversation log (0-2 years) – (4 pages)
https://d35y27n9vd273n.cloudfront.net/xQWHSesIQThVTUfT0Dvr6cFxWSeiesMp7dauissx.pdf
Children’s Wellbeing link with Paternal MH
https://theconversation.com/childrens-well-being-goes-hand-in-hand-with-their-dads-mental-health-102347
MJA – Fathers Mental Illness
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2013/199/3/fathers-mental-illness-implications-clinicians-and-health-services
AIFS paper on Fatherhood and Mental Illness
This episode of Psych Matters is the second of three looking at perinatal mental illness.
In this episode, Professor Anne Buist is joined by Professor Megan Galbally, Dr Adaobi Udechuku and Dr Rebecca Hill to discuss the latest research on perinatal mental illness and management challenges including medication for pregnant and lactating women.
References:*Burger, H; Verbeek, T; Aris-Meijer, J et al. 2019 Effects of psychological treatment of mental health problems in pregnancy women to protect their offspring: randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry
Galbally, M; Snellen, M (2020) Providing the Evidence for Managing Depression In Pregnancy. Pediatrics
Galbally, M; Crabb, C; Snellen, M. (2018) Designing research that can untangle the effects in pregnancy of pharmacological treatments for mental disorders. Lancet Psychiatry
Galbally, M; Frayne, J; Watson, S; Snellen, M. (2018) Psychopharmacological Prescribing Practices in Pregnancy for Women with Severe Mental Illness: a multicentre study. European Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
Galbally, M; Watson, S; Boyce, P; Nguyen, T; Lewis, A. (2020) The mother, the infant and the mother infant relationship: What is the impact of antidepressant medication in pregnancy. Journal of Affective Disorders
Matthey, S. 2009 Are we overpathologising motherhood? Journal of Affective Disorders
Singal, S; Chateau, Struck, S et al. 2020 In Utero Antidepressants and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Kindergarteners. Pediatrics*
Disclaimer: 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.
This is episode of Psych Matters is one of three looking at perinatal mental illness. Depression and anxiety are common following having a baby and can for some women be the start of chronic illness, which has implications not just for her but for her family.
Professor Anne Buist (Vic) leads a discussion with Professor Megan Galbally(WA) and Associate Professor Anne Sved-Williams(SA) on perinatal and infant mental health in the time of COVID-19.
References:
- Circle of Security
- Post and AnteNatal Depression Association (PANDA)
- Parent Infant Research Institute (PIRI)
- Centre for Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
- Granqvist, Sroufe....Duschinsky (2017) Disorganized attachment in infancy: a review of the phenomenon and its implications for clinicians and policy-makers. Attachment and Human Development
- Stein, Netsi....Murray (2018) Mitigating the effect of persistent postnatal depression on child outcomes through an intervention to treat depression and improve parenting: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Psychiatry
- Galbally, Watson, Boyce, Lewis (2019). The role of trauma and partner support in perinatal depression and parenting stress: a pregnancy cohort study. International Journal of Social Psychiatry
- Galbally, Stein, Hoegfeldt, van IJzendoorn (2020) From attachment to mental health and back. Lancet Psychiatry
- Galbally, Watson, van Rossum, Chen, de Kloet, Lewis (2020)The perinatal origins of childhood anxiety disorders and the role of early life maternal predictors. Psychological Medicine
Disclaimer: 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.
Peer Review Groups provide a setting for psychiatrists and other members to present and discuss work conducted in a professional capacity, and to undertake continuing learning and professional development from the presentation of work experiences and issues.
In this episode of Psych Matters. Professor Richard Harvey leads a discussion on How to run a Peer Review Group. His guests for this discussion are Dr Dave Cutts and Dr Penny Brassey.
Disclaimer: 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.
Supervision is an essential and mandatory component for psychiatry training and is no less important during these times of COVID. Trainees and supervisors face challenges to engage and participate in supervision due to disruptions in the workplace, redeployment, social distancing and other factors.
In this episode of Psych Matters, Dr Stephen Parker discusses Making the Most of Supervision During COVID-19. His guests for this discussion are Dr Joanna MacDonald and Dr Nardine Elzahaby.
Disclaimer: 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, Professor Richard Harvey discusses the topic of clinical audits. His guests for this discussion are Dr Wayne de Beer and Dr Simon Byrne.
Disclaimer: 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, Dr Shane Gill discusses conducting the Psychotherapy Written Case by video conference, which is especially relevant during COVID-19. His guests for this discussion are Dr Cathy Ludbrook and Dr Nabil Chherawala.
Disclaimer: 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, Dr Andrew Amos discusses training during COVID-19. His guests for this discussion are Dr Greg Spencer and Dr Gopika Asokan.
Disclaimer: 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.
Associate Professor John Allan introduces the Psych Matters podcast from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Psych Matters is a series of discussions on training and practice issues facing trainees and Fellows of the College.
Disclaimer: 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.