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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee is the College’s principal advisory committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, cultural safety and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychiatry workforce. Its membership brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community knowledge, lived and professional experience, psychiatrists, trainees and key partner representation.
The Committee provides cultural and strategic advice to the College and supports work that:
- oversees and advises on the implementation of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan
- strengthens respectful relationships and meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, health organisations and other key partners
- informs College policy, advocacy, education, training, research and professional development relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and social and emotional wellbeing
- promotes culturally safe, community-informed and accountable approaches across College activities
- brings Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, priorities and aspirations into College governance, policy, advocacy and service-development discussions
- supports the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychiatry workforce, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees, and other trainees committed to this area of practice
- maintains a meaningful relationship with Te Kaunihera to support culturally informed College policy, advocacy and pathways into psychiatry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori doctors.
Members
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| A/Prof Marshall Watson | Chair |
| Cody Skinner | Co-Chair and Community Member |
| Dr Jodi Eatt | Fellow Member |
| Dr Michael Gibbons | Fellow Member |
| Dr Furhan Iqbal | Fellow Member |
| Josephine Gray | Community Member |
| Marsat Ketchell | Community Member |
| Katie Papertalk | Community Member |
| Kathleen Ryan | Community Member |
| Grady Walsh | Community Member |
| Diana Jans | Community Member |
| Dr Catharine McKay | Trainee Delegate |
| Dr Ryan Pieters | Trainee Delegate |
| Prof Derek Chong | AIDA Representative |
| Dr Robyn Bradley | Co-opted Member |
| Dr Annabelle Chalk | Co-opted Member |
| Prof Dan Lubman AM | Chair, Practice, Policy and Partnerships Committee (ex-officio) |
| A/Prof Geoffrey Smith OAM | Deputy Chair, Partnerships and Community, Practice, Policy and Partnerships Committee (ex-officio) |
Updated October 2026. Committee description aligned with the current Committee Regulations and membership records.
Regulations
For a copy of the Committee Regulations, please contact governance@ranzcp.org.
