RANZCP was proud to be a sponsor and participate at the 2025 AIDA Conference on Gadigal Country (Sydney). This year’s theme was ‘Evoking Sovereignty, Honouring Country, Nurturing Community.’ The conference brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students, junior medical officers (JMOs), graduates, medical professionals, and those interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health around Australia.  

The RANZCP’s Specialist Training Program (STP) and Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF) sponsored 20 medical students and JMOs (PGY 1) to attend the Conference and the STP’s annual ‘Insights to Psychiatry’ workshop. The workshop was attended by 25 participants including RANZCP staff, trainees and Fellows and aimed to support the attraction and recruitment of medical students and Junior Medical Officers (JMO) into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychiatry workforce. The event commenced with lunch where participants had the opportunity to network and connect. The workshop agenda included interactive presentations from Fellows Dr Reagan O’Neill and Dr Dharma Sathiaseelan on the daily life and work of a psychiatrist, as well as personal insights on their progression through the RANZCP training program. The group was also led through a case study by Stage 4 Aboriginal trainee Dr Ryan Pieters. The three speakers hosted an interactive Q&A panel where they answered pre-submitted questions and audience questions about their insights into psychiatry. The event concluded with a yarning circle where the group reflected on what they learned. 

The RANZCP also facilitated a Growing Our Fellows session led by Dr Ryan Pieters. RANZCP presented an abstract poster, ‘Empowering First Nations Psychiatry Workforce’ showcasing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PIF members, and hosted an exhibition booth during the Conference.  

Professor Derek Chong, a Stage 3 Aboriginal trainee, delivered an engaging keynote presentation on Quantum Psychiatry. His research and professional practice highlight the importance of culture, language, and community in fostering resilience, reducing recidivism, and addressing mental health disparities across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. 

It was a fantastic few days of networking, learning and coming together to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce.  

The RANZCP has received Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing funding under the Psychiatry Workforce Program (PWP) to deliver the PIF Australia program. The RANZCP has also received Australian Government funding under the Australian Government Funded Training Programs (AGFTP) to deliver the Insights to Psychiatry initiative.