Media centre
As the principal organisation representing psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) can put the media in touch with psychiatrists in relation to stories on mental health issues.
A range of psychiatrists are available to comment on issues relevant to psychiatry and mental health.
Media enquiries
Sarah Carr
Advisor, Media and Communications
T +61 (0)3 9601 4981
M +61 437 315 911
media@ranzcp.org
Media access to RANZCP Journals
Contact media@ranzcp.org to request full text of any article in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry or Australasian Psychiatry for media use.
Joint statements
► An open letter to all Victorians
(Joint statement)
► Medicine shortage alert: Discontinuation of Nardil (phenelzine sulfate)
(Joint statement with the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia)
► Medical decisions should be made by medical professionals
(Joint statement with ACEM, ADC, ACSEP, ACRRM, ANZCA, CICM, RACP, RACMA, RACGP, RANZCOG, RANZCP and RANZCR)
► Leading medical authorities ask Parliament to maintain Medevac law
(Joint statement with RACP, ACEM, ACD, ACRRM, ANZCA, CICM, RACMA, RACGP, RANZCOG and RANZCR)
► Health bodies declare aboriginal youth suicide an urgent national priority
(Joint statement with NACCHO and RACP)
► Queensland doctors call on State Government to save lives
(Joint statement with ACEM, ACRRM, RACGP and AMAQld )
► Canadian, New Zealand and Australian medical colleges unite in support of gender equality
(Joint statement as part of the Tri-nation alliance)
Media releases
30 July 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Victorian Branch has reiterated support for stronger measures to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint in the Victorian mental health system.
30 July 2020
We know this year has been tough so far. The good news is lives have already been saved with COVID-19 restrictions and this can continue by following the latest health advice to slow the spread of the virus, and by continuing to look after our own health.
30 July 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has applauded today’s announcement on the Close the Gap agreement and its historic commitment to reducing the incarceration, domestic violence and suicide rates in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.
16 July 2020
When we venture out in public these days, it is more and more common to see people wearing face masks and this is a good thing.
07 July 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Victorian Branch has expressed deep concern for the findings outlined in the recent report on suicides of Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by the Coroners Court of Victoria.
05 July 2020
With around 3,000 of Melbourne's residents will be locked in nine public housing estates for at least five days due to a coronavirus outbreak the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry (RANZCP) Victorian Branch is urging the government to provide mental health support for these vulnerable communities.
30 June 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought risks, dangers and impacts for the whole community, but it has had specific and severe consequences for vulnerable populations such as asylum seekers and refugees.
29 June 2020
The peak body for psychiatrists has urged Australia’s Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, to make permanent the availability of telehealth and telephone consultations for all patients wherever they happen to live.
26 June 2020
In the wake of Qantas’s announcement to shed over 6000 jobs as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, the President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has reaffirmed his concern for a potential next wave of mental ill health.
28 May 2020
As we recognise and celebrate National Reconciliation Week, we also take time to reflect on the important role that psychiatrists play in working towards the improvement of mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
25 May 2020
Whilst there is emerging evidence for the use of psychedelic therapies in the treatment of mental illnesses, there is still a way to go before it will be considered a safe and effective practice says the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
25 May 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is urging everyone to seek professional advice for any mental or physical health issues if they aren’t feeling well.
15 May 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes today’s National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan as well as the Commonwealth’s investment of $48.1 million in additional support to assist with its implementation.
15 May 2020
The Victorian Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP Victorian Branch) welcomes the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to reforming the mental health system to ensure all Victorians have access to high-quality care when and where the need it.
14 May 2020
With Covid-19 public health measures beginning to ease across the country, the announcement of the Mental Health Support Package is welcome relief for mental health services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
13 May 2020
It is more important than ever to be aware of the dangers of alcohol use for our mental health and wellbeing, according to the president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
13 May 2020
The appointment of Australia’s first ever chief medical officer for mental health as part of the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis is welcomed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
11 May 2020
A forecasted surge in suicide rates due to the impacts of COVID-19, its associated restrictions and their secondary social, economic and personal consequences is not inevitable according to the President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Associate Professor John Allan.
30 April 2020
Just as the COVID crisis is effecting large scale change across of our work and home lives so too is it impacting every aspect of the mental health system.
27 April 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has again called for a more systematic approach to health and safety at high risk inpatient settings after the temporary closure of a psychiatric facility in Victoria.
27 April 2020
Whilst we are seeing a flattening of the curve and some relaxation in restrictions across Australia and New Zealand, we must still act to ensure mental health services across all areas are enhanced and prepared to support the anticipated increase of people seeking access to these services.
24 April 2020
The NSW Branch of the RANZCP enthusiastically supports the suite of initiatives announced by the Premier.
18 April 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) commends the extension of Medicare benefits to assist patients to receive telehealth or telephone consultations in a wider range of circumstances.
17 April 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) urges the Australian Government to urgently release vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers from immigration detention centres as part of its public health response to COVID-19.
15 April 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes Minister Hunt’s announcement over the weekend of 11 million medical masks for healthcare workers.
03 April 2020
The recently announced partnership between the Commonwealth, States and Territories and the private and not-for-profit hospital sector will strengthen Australia’s capacity to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
30 March 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the Australian Government’s changes announced yesterday to expand Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for more Australians.
27 March 2020
For some patients experiencing severe mental illness, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an essential treatment which can save their life.
19 March 2020
Having a mental illness can make it more challenging to stay physically healthy.
There is also substantial evidence that there are higher rates of physical illness among people with serious mental illness.
17 March 2020
It is normal and healthy to feel stress and anxiety sometimes.
13 March 2020
The NSW Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has called for improved access, capacity and fairness in New South Wales’ mental health system.
02 March 2020
Leading youth mental health experts will this week gather in Sydney’s coastal suburb of Manly to take part in the annual Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Section of Youth Mental Health 2020 Conference.
05 February 2020
The leading representative body for psychiatrists has welcomed the announcement of a permanent independent commissioner into veteran suicides, mental health and wellbeing and urges the government to ensure that the investigation is done so with the appropriate clinical awareness and understanding of this area.
31 January 2020
An increase in mental health related emergency ambulance responses is cause for great concern according to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
31 January 2020
The Victorian Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP Victorian Branch) congratulates RANZCP Fellow, Associate Professor Simon Stafrace, on his appointment to chief adviser of Mental Health Reform Victoria.
23 January 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has expressed their support for the further research and, where backed by sufficient evidence, appropriate regulation of medicinal cannabis.
10 January 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is committed to playing a vital role in addressing the impact that climate emergency is having on people’s mental health and wellbeing.
01 January 2020
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is deeply concerned by the catastrophic bushfire events currently impacting large areas of south eastern Australia, their local communities and holiday makers.
19 December 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) New Zealand National Committee - Tu Te Akaaka Roa has applauded the efforts of rest homes making a conscious decision to implement a more person-centred approach to dementia and aged care.
19 December 2019
Opioid harm and overdoses associated with the use and misuse of pharmaceutical and illicit opioids are fast becoming major health concerns.
05 December 2019
The President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), Associate Professor John Allan, has expressed his disappointment at the Senate vote to repeal the Medevac legislation.
02 December 2019
The NSW Government needs to follow the lead of Victoria in committing to sweeping reform of the mental health system with new sustainable investment to deliver better health outcomes for people living with mental ill health.
25 November 2019
With the Senate expected to vote on the repeal of the Medevac Bill this week, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has renewed calls for the Senate to heed the unified advice of Australia’s leading medical colleges.
21 November 2019
President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), Associate Professor John Allan, extends his warm congratulations to Dr Kym Jenkins on assuming the position of Chair for the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC).
14 November 2019
The presidents of leading medical colleges across Australia are appealing to the Senate to maintain the Medevac legislation and the Independent Health Advice Panel (IHAP) process.
13 November 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has called on the Australian Parliament to heed the advice given by 11 of Australia’s leading medical bodies.
04 November 2019
The confronting Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Interim report: Neglect, confirms the need for an urgent overhaul of Australia’s aged care system says the principal body representing psychiatrists.
04 November 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) calls on the Australian Government to act on key recommendations of the Productivity Commissions Draft Report without delay.
31 October 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the comprehensive draft report of the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into mental health which identifies key areas for reform in Australia’s mental health sector, in particular the importance placed on early intervention.
14 October 2019
The presidents of leading medical colleges are united in asking the Australian Parliament to maintain the Medevac legislation and the Independent Health Advice Panel (IHAP) process.
10 October 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is putting together a new taskforce to better channel the efforts of psychiatry and achieve a meaningful reduction of suicide and deliberate self-harm in our communities.
20 September 2019
With the public referendum on the legalisation of the personal use of cannabis at the 2020 general election looming, psychiatrists have taken to the stage to debate the topic at New Zealand’s annual psychiatric conference.
19 September 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is calling for a greater effort in improving dementia awareness, with a focus on providing the information people need, rather than what they already know.
29 August 2019
The Chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) New Zealand National Committee – Tu Te Akaaka Roa, Dr Mark Lawrence, commends the government on the launch of its new Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.
16 August 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the Health Minister Greg Hunt’s announcement that mental health and suicide prevention are at the top of the government’s priorities.
16 August 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the successful passing of Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill through parliament, by the New Zealand Government.
13 August 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) commends New Zealanders and the health sector on expressing a strong preference to ban advertising of prescription medicine.
25 July 2019
The President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), Associate Professor John Allan, has urged the Australian Parliament to continue the Independent Health Advice Panel (IHAP) established earlier this year under the Medevac legislation.
22 July 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is renewing its call to the Australian Government to re-assess its deportation policies and practices when it comes to New Zealand nationals.
19 July 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) tautoko The New Zealand Medical Journal’s call for the strengthening of alcohol regulations to reduce the negative impact of alcohol on New Zealanders’ mental health and wellbeing.
12 July 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission report A Better Way to Support Veterans into the system of the compensation and rehabilitation for veterans.
01 July 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Western Australian Branch (RANZCP WA Branch) has expressed concern about the increasing use of methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘ice’) across Western Australia (WA) and the lack of specialist addiction psychiatrists to address this burden.
► View older media releases in our News Archive.