Clinical guidelines & publications library

Electronic monitoring of people utilising forensic mental health services

Ethics, Forensic

The RANZCP is concerned about the coercive use of electronic monitoring on forensic patients. 

Enabling supported decision making

Addressing health inequity, Collaborative care, Culturally safe practice, Families, whānau & carers, Professionalism

This paper aims to influence the increased uptake and future embedding of Supported Decision Making in clinical practice by psychiatrists working in the Victorian Mental Health Service. PDF Position statement

Family violence and mental health

Ethics, Family violence, Professionalism

This position statement describes the role of psychiatrists in supporting the mental health of people who have experienced family violence.

Suicide prevention – the role of psychiatry

Ethics, Professionalism, Suicide

The RANZCP is committed to supporting people in suicidal distress and working with governments and communities to prevent suicides.

Intellectual disabilities: Addressing the mental health needs of people with ID

Addressing health inequity, Ethics, Intellectual disability, Professionalism

This position statement addresses the significant challenges and unmet mental health needs for people with intellectual disability.

Involuntary mental health treatment in custody

Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Seclusion and restraint

Involuntary mental health treatment in custodial settings compromises clinical care, encourages inappropriate management of prisoners, and breaches human rights.

Lone actor grievance fuelled violence and the role of the psychiatrist

Forensic, Medico-legal

Mental health and HIV/AIDS

Ethics, Professionalism

People who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) can have unique mental health needs both due to the infection itself and the experience of anxiety and depression that can be associated with the condition.

Specialist old age psychiatry workforce and training

Old age, Professionalism, Workforce

Old age psychiatry focuses on the mental health of older people. RANZCP and the Royal College of Psychiatry UK have agreed to cooperate on initiatives to increase the training and skills of its workforce. 

Mental health for the community

Collaborative care, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Families, whānau & carers, Professionalism

This document outlines principles that underpin the effective delivery of mental health services to the community.

Mental health legislation and psychiatrists: putting the principles into practice

Mental health legislation, Professionalism

Mental health acts define the circumstances where compulsory measures can be taken to treat a person where illness has impaired their capacity to direct their care. Mental health acts in Australia and New Zealand should reflect community expectations. 

Safe, comprehensive, and equitable ADHD care

Addressing health inequity, ADHD, Ethics, Professionalism

Sexual orientation change efforts

Ethics, Historical practices, Professionalism

The RANZCP does not support the use of sexual orientation change efforts of any kind. There is no scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. Sexual orientation change efforts risk causing significant harm to individuals.

Sexual safety in mental health services in Australia and New Zealand

Health service standards

This Position Statement addresses the prevention of sexual harm and protection of consumers/tāngata whaiora in acute inpatient mental health services.

The role of psychiatrists in working with Trans and Gender Diverse people

LGBTIQ+

This statement outlines the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) position in working with Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) people in Australia and New Zealand and the role of psychiatrists in responding to their mental health needs.

Minimising and, where possible, eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint

Ethics, Professionalism, Seclusion and restraint

The RANZCP is committed to the delivery of quality mental health services that seek to improve safe practice and promote optimal outcomes to those receiving care. 

Pacific Mental Health in Aotearoa New Zealand

Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Families, whānau & carers, Professionalism

The position statement identifies RANZCP’s commitment to improving Pacific mental health and providing effective health care that meets the specific cultural needs of Pacific populations.

Safety and wellbeing of psychiatrists and those in psychiatry training

Doctor's health, Professionalism

This position statement highlights the critical importance of the safety and wellbeing of psychiatrists and those in psychiatry training for competent and safe psychiatry practice.

Partnering with carers in mental healthcare

Collaborative care, Families, whānau & carers, Professionalism

This position statement affirms the importance and value of respectful and cooperative partnerships between psychiatrists and carers.

Partnering with people with lived experience

Asylum seekers and refugees, Collaborative care, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism

This position statement has been co-produced by those with lived experience of a mental health condition and psychiatrists.