Psych Matters

RANZCP
  • 4.4 (28)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED TWICE MONTHLY

Psych Matters is an informative and educational podcast by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Psych Matters provides regular interesting topics for psychiatrists, psychiatry trainees and others with an interest in psychiatry.Disclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing the RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website - RANZCP Website Terms of Use AgreementExpert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website - Your Health In Mind

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    NZ Conference 2025: What Cultural Safety looks like in Practice

    In this podcast we dive into the vital topic of cultural safety—what it means in practice, how it shapes the wellbeing of diverse communities, and why it remains a cornerstone of effective and compassionate mental-health care in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia!  Dr. Ramya Vadivel is a psychiatrist and the New Zealand representative for the Section of Early Career Psychiatrists (SECP) at RANZCP. She has experience in general adult and addictions psychiatry and has contributed to mental health research, including studies on COVID-19's impact on mental health and addictions.   Dr. Charlie Mentzel is a psychiatrist and academic acting as a Senior Lecturer at University of Otago and practising clinician. With a PhD in movement disorders in severe mental illness. She serves as Co-Convenor of the 2025 RANZCP New Zealand Conference. Prof Richard Harvey is a psychiatrist in private practice based in Victoria. He is a deputy chair of the Policy, Practice and Partnerships Committee. He holds an academic position at Deakin University in Geelong. He was co-chair of the Code of Ethics review steering group.  Sam Farr is the first “Lived & Living Experience Senior Adviser (Consumer)” at RANZCP. Drawing on his own experience as a mental-health consumer, he now works as a practitioner and focuses on service-design and system change. His goal is to ensure lived experience informs psychiatry policy and practice within the College.  Kate Fulford is a pharmacist and health-service innovator invited by RANZCP for her work supporting marginalised and First Nations communities. She leads strategy and clinical innovation at a primary-care centre and champions equitable access to healthcare.  Dr. Mark Lawrence is a Māori adult psychiatrist working in Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand. He serves as a Board Director at RANZCP and advocates strongly for Māori mental-health equity. He also lectures in psychiatry at the University of Auckland.  Dr. Angelo Virgona is a veteran psychiatrist with decades of clinical, private-practice, and service-administration experience. He chaired RANZCP’s NSW Branch and was elected President-Elect in 2025, focusing on improving mental-health access and service delivery.  Topic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    26 min
  2. Holiday Message 2025

    18/12/2025

    Holiday Message 2025

    From the team at the Psych Matters podcast, we would like to thank you for supporting us on our journey this year. We have had over 25 releases and have reached over 210,000 listens. We would like to thank all our guest speakers and our audience for their contributions and support. Happy Holidays!  Topic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    1 min

  3. 04/12/2025

    Navigating the Trainee Representation Landscape

    In this podcast, Dr Georgia Ramsden (Chair of the Binational Committee of Trainees) and Dr Ashna Basu (RANZCP Board Director, Chair of the Trainees’ Advisory Council) discuss the various trainee representative structures at the college, how they work and intertwine, the great efforts of trainee representatives across the College, and how you can get involved!  Dr Ashna Basu is a Stage 3 trainee in Sydney who serves as the appointed director, trainee on the RANZCP Board of Directors and Chair of the Trainees’ Advisory Council. She is a former RANZCP NSW Trainee Representative and wears other hats, including as Chair of the Young branch of the Medical Women’s International Association.  Dr Georgia Ramsden is a Stage 3 trainee based in Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand.  She is currently the Chair of the Bi-national Committee for Trainees, previously representing New Zealand on the committee.   References:  Bi-national Committee for TraineesTrainees' Advisory CouncilPosition Description - Appointed Director, TraineeTopic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    31 min

  4. 20/11/2025

    Tangled up in Blue: a psychiatrist’s journey with lived experience

    In this episode, Dr James Le Bas, a retired psychiatrist, shares his personal journey with Prof Richard Newton through mental illness and the stigma associated with it. He discusses the concept of 'brash humility,' the impact of his experiences on his professional identity, and the importance of open conversations in reducing stigma. The dialogue explores the intersection of patient and psychiatrist experiences, the role of supervision, and the therapeutic power of writing. Ultimately, they emphasise the need for empathy and understanding within the mental health profession. Dr James Le Bas PhD had his career in psychiatry awakened in a locked ward in Manilla, the first of four hospitalisations for psychosis, depression, and mania. He is a devotee of community psychiatry and dates the birth of social value (prestige), which is implicit in mood disorders, at around fifty thousand years ago as societies sought cohesive strategies required for life. His website and book can be found at beyondbipolar.com.au.  Prof Richard Newton is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Monash University, a consultant psychiatrist in Youth Mental Health at Peninsula Health.  He is the recent past Clinical Director of Peninsula Health and has a private practice specialising in eating disorders. He is a Board Member of the RANZCP where he chairs the finance committee, Wellways, where he chairs the Quality and Safety Committee, and he also serves on the boards of Mental Health Victoria and the World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Australia.     In 2021 Richard was awarded the RANZCP College Citation for his contributions to psychiatry in Australia.  In 2009 Professor Newton received the RANZCP’s Margaret Tobin Award, which acknowledged his valuable contributions to administrative psychiatry.  Professor Newton is also an academic psychiatrist who has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles or book chapters.  Topic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    31 min

  5. 06/11/2025

    Transitioning to Retirement

    This episode explores the experiences and insights of the transition to retirement in psychiatry. Dr Joanna MacDonald, Dr Brian Craig, Dr Graeme Croft, Dr Nick O’Connor, and A/Prof Chanaka Wijeratne share personal stories, emphasizing the need for mentorship, community involvement, and the significance of maintaining social connections post-retirement. The discussion covers the challenges faced during retirement, the importance of financial planning, and the emotional aspects of leaving a long-term career in medicine. They include practical advice for those approaching retirement, highlighting the importance of flexibility and the potential for a fulfilling retirement life. Dr Joanna MacDonald (TTRWG Chair) is from Wellington in Aotearoa/New Zealand. She was a member of the TTWRG from its inception, and took over as Chair from Dr Nick O’Connor, in 2024. She worked as a community psychiatrist for 44 yrs before retiring from paid employment in 2021. In addition she was an academic psychiatrist, member of the MCNZ and Chair of its Health Committee, Director of training and held various roles on binational College committees. Dr Nick O’Connor retired in May 2024 at age 67. He worked in NSW Health services for 43 years including as Area and Clinical Director of mental health services. Nick’s 7-year term on the College Board and 6-year term on the Education Committee including 4 years as Chair concluded in 2024. Dr Brian Craig is a retired Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and an IMG from Scotland. He holds specialist qualifications in both UK and Australasian Colleges and was a Clinical Director and worked in inpatient and outpatient services in Christchurch New Zealand. He was an IMG practice reviewer for the NZMC and was also actively involved with the medical specialist union ASMS being made a life member in 2014. He has been a member of the TTWRG since its inception. A/Prof Chanaka Wijeratne graduated in medicine from UNSW and trained in old age psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, London. He is a clinician who divides his time between public and private practice. He is Clinical Lead of Older Persons' Mental Health at Prince of Wales Hospital. He has a longstanding interest in doctors' health, in particular late career practitioners and doctors from an ethnically and racially diverse background, and in medical regulation Dr Graeme Croft’s career in psychiatry included public and private practice and work as a  psychiatrist with the Mental Health Review Board.  His retirement from practice in 2011 provided him with an opportunity to develop his longstanding interest in music and music performance, and he successfully undertook  tertiary studies in music (Bachelor of Music and then Master of Fine Art (Research)).  He is now actively involved as a musician, in community music. Topic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    52 min

  6. 23/10/2025

    The Role of Power and Privilege of Psychiatric Leadership

    In this episode, we will address the critical issue of power and privilege in psychiatric leadership. Power dynamics and privilege can significantly impact care, collaboration and co-leadership. We'll explore strategies for redistributing power, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. Our conversation will cover the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and cultural humility in mitigating the effects of power and privilege. Sarah Wilson is a leading international researcher in brain and mental health with a sustained track record in research translation embedded in co-design with people with lived experience. She is a Clinical Neuropsychologist with more than 30 years of experience in the Victorian public and private health sectors and has more than 15 years of executive and senior leadership.  Emily Unity is an award-winning lived and living experience leader and advocate. They are passionate about creating change through disrupting traditional systems and amplifying intersectional voices. Emily is informed by their lived and living experiences, including mental ill-health, disability, LGBTQIA+, multiculturalism, neurodivergence, homelessness, family violence, and more.   Dr Kerryn Rubin is Clinical Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Peninsula Health, an adjunct Senior Lecturer at Monash University, and a previous Chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry’s Victorian Branch. Kerryn has over 2 decades of experience in public and private mental health services.  Kerryn is a passionate advocate for trauma-informed care, and the reduction of restrictive interventions, whilst maintaining safe and therapeutic hospital environments.  Dr Phyllis Chua is a Consultation-Liaison psychiatrist at the Austin Hospital and Calvary Health Care Bethlehem. She has an interest in medical education and was involved in different teaching roles for university undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as the RANZCP registrar training program. She is currently the chair of CEEMR. Her research interests are in neuropsychiatry and medical education.  Resources: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-collaborative-centrehttps://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/3392215/Coproduction_putting-principles-into-practice.pdfTopic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    1h 1m

  7. 16/10/2025

    Navigating Normality: Unravelling the Surge in Adult ADHD Diagnoses

    In honour of ADHD Awareness Month, we're excited to share a special short episode on Adult ADHD, presented by Dr. Smita Verma. The concept of normality is pivotal in diagnosing adult ADHD, as common behaviours like distractibility or impulsivity, universal to human experience, only warrant a diagnosis when they cause significant functional impairment in specific contexts. A global shortage of ADHD stimulants reflects rising demand, with social media platforms like TikTok being one of the contributing factors. On TikTok, #adhdtest videos often oversimplify ADHD, as evident during my research on the quality of information on #adhdtest, presenting normal behaviours like forgetfulness as diagnostic, while trends like “SLAY-DHD” glamorise the condition, encouraging self-diagnosis. Diagnosing adult ADHD is complex due to subjective symptom assessment, necessitating careful differentiation between normal responses to modern life’s demands and pathological symptoms. Clinicians must consider cultural, personal, and environmental contexts, using collateral input to validate childhood impairments and rule out conditions like anxiety or burnout, ensuring accurate diagnosis and judicious stimulant use, given their uncertain long-term safety.  Dr Smita Verma, MBBS is a psychiatry registrar at Waikato Hospital's Mental Health & Addiction Services in Hamilton, New Zealand, currently pursuing a Certificate in Adult Psychiatry through the RANZCP training program.  Topic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    15 min

  8. 09/10/2025

    Congress 2025: Ketamine and Eskatamine for the use of Treating Depression

    In this episode, Professor Mal Hopwood and Professor Colleen Loo discuss the introduction of esketamine to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. They explore the mechanism of action of esketamine, its clinical trials, practical applications, treatment protocols, costs, safety monitoring, and the importance of informed consent. The conversation emphasises the need for proper patient expectations and long-term treatment considerations in managing treatment-resistant depression. Professor Mal Hopwood is the Ramsay Health Care Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and the Director of the Professorial Psychiatry Unit at the Ramsay Clinic Albert Road (RCAR). A former President of the RANZCP, he is a dedicated researcher and clinician specialising in mood disorders and PTSD. He leads an active clinical trials group at RCAR, including in the area of psychedelic treatment. Professor Colleen Loo is a psychiatrist, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Fellow, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute in Sydney. She is a clinical and research expert in electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and ketamine. She is now also researching psychedelic-assisted therapy. Topic suggestion: If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org Disclaimer: This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

    32 min
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4.4
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Psych Matters is an informative and educational podcast by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Psych Matters provides regular interesting topics for psychiatrists, psychiatry trainees and others with an interest in psychiatry.Disclaimer:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing the RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website - RANZCP Website Terms of Use AgreementExpert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website - Your Health In Mind

Information

  • Creator
    RANZCP
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
  • Show Website
    Psych Matters

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