Position Statements are developed on issues relevant to psychiatry and in which the College has a public position.  Common uses include answering queries from the media and the general public and are also used to advocate the College’s considered view on certain issues.

Mental illness continues to be a major health and social issue.  The College has published an overarching statement that outlines eight key areas for improving mental health in Australia and New Zealand. 

Improving mental health in Australia and New Zealand

#22 Psychiatry services for older people 

#29 Neurosurgey for mental disorders 

#31 Relationships between geriatric and psychogeriatric services

#32 Abolition of torture

#34 Deep sleep therapy

#35 The role of psychiatrists in disasters and terrorism *updated*

#37 Policy on Mental Health Services

#38 HIV/AIDS

#41 St John's Wort

#42 Stolen generations

#44 Telepsychiatry

#45 Pathological/problem gambling

#46 Principles on the provision of mental health services to asylum seekers

#47 Psychiatrists as team members

#47b The Roles and Relationships of Psychiatrists

#48 Trainee Safety in the Workplace

#50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers 

#51 Child sex abuse

#52 Children in immigration detention

#54 Psychotherapy conducted by Psychiatrists

#55 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

#56 Children of parents with mental illness

#57 Mothers, babies and psychiatric inpatient treatment 

#58 Sexualisation of children in contemporary media

#59 The mental health care needs of children in out-of-home care 

#60 Sexual reorientation therapies 

#61 Minimising the use of seclusion and restraint in people with mental illness 

#62 Consumer and carer engagement

#63 The prevention and early intervention of mental illness in infants, children and adolescents

#64 The role of psychiatrists in the prevention and early intervention of mental illness in infants, children and adolescents

#65 Rural Psychiatry

#66 Specialist old age psychiatry workforce and training *new*

#67 Physician Assisted Suicide *new*