Clinical guidelines & publications library

Addressing the mental health impacts of natural disasters and climate change-related weather events

Addressing health inequities, Culturally safe practice, Natural disasters & emergencies, Professionalism

Natural disasters and weather events can lead to a wide range of health effects, including mental health problems. Psychiatrists have important roles in disaster planning and response.

Australia's Family Law System Enquiry

RANZCP's submission into Australia's family law system.

Psychiatry services for older people

Addressing health inequities, Culturally safe practice, Old age, Professionalism

The RANZCP recognises the importance of a holistic, age and culturally appropriate approach to addressing mental illness in older people, informed by the principles of recovery, independence, dignity and quality of life.

Use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric practice

Benzodiazepines, Ethics, Professionalism

The RANZCP has developed this guidance for clinicians considering pharmacological treatment using benzodiazepines. PDF Clinical guideline

Effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Alcohol

RANZCP submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs on Effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Review of the NDIS Act and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee

NDIS

RANZCP consultation on the review of the NDIS Act and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee.

Māori Expanding Access and Choice’ (Kaupapa Māori Primary MHA)

Māori

RANZCP Submission to Mental Health and Addiction Directorate, Ministry of Health on expanding access and choice for Kaupapa Māori primary mental health and addiction services. PDF Submission

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy & neurostimulation, Ethics

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment with a strong evidence base, particularly for the treatment of severe depressive disorders.

Recognising and addressing the harmful mental health impacts of methamphetamine use

Ethics, Illicit drugs, Professionalism

Amphetamine-type substances can be associated with acute mental effects and result in long-term harm. Psychiatrists have a leadership role in coordinating approaches to methamphetamine use.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Addiction, Addressing health inequities, Alcohol, Ethics, Perinatal, Professionalism

The fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) hub Australia provides current and evidence-based information about FASD in Australia. URL Clinical guideline

Royal Commission into Victoria's Health System 2019

Health service standards

Victorian Branch submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System 2019 PDF Submission

Child and adolescent psychiatry: meeting future workforce needs

Children & adolescents, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism

Informing psychiatrists, the medical profession and other health professionals, service providers, governments, and the Australian and New Zealand communities about child and adolescent psychiatry workforce. PDF Report

Electroconvulsive therapy professional practice guideline

Addressing health inequities, Culturally safe practice, Electroconvulsive therapy & neurostimulation, Ethics, Professionalism

Key practice considerations are the combination of dosing, electrode placement, pulse width, session frequency, concomitant medication and anaesthetic approach. PDF Clinical guideline

Inquiry into aged care, end of life and palliative care, and voluntary assisted dying

Ethics, Voluntary assisted dying

RANZCP QLD Submission to Inquiry into aged care, end of life and palliative care, and voluntary assisted dying

The relationship between psychiatrists and commercial organisations within the health care industry

Ethics, Professionalism

PDF Ethics and conduct

Guideline for safe care for patients sedated in health care facilities for acute behavioural disturbance

Sedation

This guideline sets the minimum safety standards required in caring for patients with ABD where sedation is used to control the behaviour. PDF Clinical guideline

Sexual orientation change efforts

Addressing health inequities, Ethics, Historical practices, Professionalism

The RANZCP does not support the use of sexual orientation change efforts of any kind. There is no scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. Sexual orientation change efforts risk causing significant harm to individuals.

Australian Family Court proceedings

Ethics, Forensic, Medico-legal, Professionalism

Guidance to members about family court proceedings including custody issues, being an expert witness, testifying and reports. PDF Clinical guideline

Productivity Commission draft report on veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation inquiry.

RANZCP Submission on veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation inquiry.

Mental health needs of child asylum seekers and refugees

Addressing health inequities, Asylum seekers and refugees, Children & adolescents

This guideline was rescinded in April 2024.