Clinical guidelines & publications library

Principles for mental health systems

Health service standards

This position statement outlines key principles of optimal mental health systems to inform governments and funders and achieve the best possible outcomes for consumers and the wider community.

Psychiatry services for older people

Old age, Professionalism

The RANZCP recognises the importance of a holistic, age and culturally appropriate approach to addressing mental illness in older people, informed by the principles of recovery, independence, dignity and quality of life.

Recognising and addressing the mental health needs of the LGBTIQ+ population

LGBTIQ+

Evidence shows that discrimination and marginalisation experienced by the LGBTIQ+ population increases their risk of developing mental health issues, and also creates barriers to accessing services.

Recognising the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Culturally safe practice, Māori

This position statement aims to describe Te Tiriti within the context of improving hauora Māori (Māori health) and steps the RANZCP is taking to meet its responsibilities under Te Tiriti.

Rural psychiatry

Rural, Workforce

The RANZCP calls for dedicated strategies and funding to increase the number of psychiatrists working in rural and remote communities.

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.

The impact of media and digital technology on children and adolescents

Children & adolescents, E-mental health, Professionalism

This position statement seeks to identify the many positive benefits of media and digital technology for children and adolescents, but also recognises areas of concern.

The mental health of veterans and defence force service members

Ethics, Military and veterans, Professionalism

The position statement outlines the necessary action to improve mental health outcomes for current defence force service members and veterans.

The provision of mental health services for asylum seekers and refugees

Asylum seekers and refugees

The RANZCP is concerned about the inadequate provision of mental health services to asylum seekers and refugees, and calls for policy change to improve mental health outcomes.

The role of the psychiatrist in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Professionalism, Workforce

A psychiatrist is a specialist medical doctor who assesses and treats patients with mental health problems. Psychiatrists often work in collaboration with general practitioners and other health professionals to best meet the mental health and emotional needs of patients.

Whānau Ora

Culturally safe practice, Māori, Professionalism

This statement affirms and strengthens the RANZCP's commitment to He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence) and Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) principles of tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), Māori health equity and meeting the needs of tangata whaiora.

Physical health

Physical health, Professionalism

Aims to inform the development of policy and guidelines for the treatment, management and monitoring of the physical health of people with an enduring psychotic illness. PDF Clinical guideline

Access and use of clinical information for medico-legal report writers in New Zealand

Ethics, Medico-legal, Professionalism

This guideline provides specific advice on managing the privacy implications when accessing and using privileged health information in the New Zealand medico-legal setting. PDF Clinical guideline

Code of conduct

Ethics, Ethics and conduct, Professionalism

PDF Ethics and conduct

Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally safe practice

The RANZCP calls for reform of the Australian Constitution to support the mental health and human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Electroconvulsive therapy & neurostimulation, Professionalism

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is an effective treatment for major depressive disorders. It involves the focal application of a localised, pulsed magnetic field to the cerebral cortex, inducing small electrical currents which stimulate nerve cells.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy & neurostimulation, Ethics

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment with a strong evidence base, particularly for the treatment of severe depressive disorders.

Family and domestic violence

Family violence

The mental health impacts of climate change

Climate & environment, Natural disasters & emergencies

This position statement recognises the mental health impacts of climate change and supports policy change that addresses these impacts.

Public consultation on interim decisions to amend the Poisons Standard

Psychedelics

RANZCP Submission providing input on the interim decision to amend Poisons Standards.