Clinical guidelines & publications library

Recognising the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

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.

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.

Trauma-informed practice

Trauma

Trauma-informed practice is an evolving concept which emphasises that trauma is a possibility in the lives of all individuals and communities.

Voluntary assisted dying

Ethics, Voluntary assisted dying

The primary role of medical practitioners in end of life care is to facilitate good quality patient-centred care. This statement should not be taken as explicit or implied support of the legalisation of physician assisted suicide. 

Whānau Ora

Māori

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.

The mental health needs of children in care or at risk of entering care

Children & adolescents

Children in care or at risk of entering care experience high rates of developmental and mental health problems, and therefore warrant special attention and priority access to multi-disciplinary mental health care that is competent in meeting their complex care needs.

Refugee and asylum seeker health

Asylum seekers and refugees, Social justice

The RANZCP has endorsed this position statement from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). URL Position statement

Children with conduct disorder

Children & adolescents

Broad principles to guide governments, agencies, and services in meeting the mental health care needs of children with conduct disorder.

Autism: Addressing the mental health needs of Autistic people

Autism

This position statement addresses the significant challenges and unmet mental health needs of Autistic people.

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

Intellectual disability

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

Safety and wellbeing of psychiatrists and those in psychiatry training

Doctor's health

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.

Enabling supported decision making

Collaborative care, Families, whānau & carers

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

Dementia - antipsychotic medications to care for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms

Dementia

Best practices when considering the use of antipsychotic medications to care for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

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

Children & adolescents

Position Statement 64: The role of psychiatrists in the prevention and early intervention of mental illness in infants, children and adolescents has been rescinded pending review.

Lone actor grievance fuelled violence and the role of the psychiatrist

Forensic, Medico-legal

Mental health needs of child asylum seekers and refugees

Asylum seekers and refugees, Children & adolescents

This guideline was rescinded in April 2024.

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.