Clinical guidelines & publications library

Mental health legislation and psychiatrists: putting the principles into practice

Mental health legislation, Professionalism

Mental health acts define the circumstances where compulsory measures can be taken to treat a person where illness has impaired their capacity to direct their care. Mental health acts in Australia and New Zealand should reflect community expectations. 

Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017

Ethics, Voluntary assisted dying

RANZCP VIC response to the Ministerial Advisory Panel discussion paper on the Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill

Psychiatrists, online presence and social media

E-mental health, Ethics, Professionalism

Psychiatrists who use social media should do so in a professional manner and refrain from comments they would not make in a personal or professional capacity.

The contribution to practice made by psychiatrists who have a personal experience of mental illness

Collaborative care, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism

Many people, including doctors and other health professionals, experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. The RANZCP acknowledges the contribution of psychiatrists with personal experience of mental illness.

Recognising and reducing alcohol-related harm

Addressing health inequities, Alcohol, Professionalism

Excessive alcohol consumption has a detrimental effect on mental health with a well-documented relationship between alcohol misuse and mental health issues.

Patient–psychiatrist confidentiality: the issue of subpoenas

Ethics, Medico-legal, Mental health legislation, Professionalism

The use of subpoenas to access clinical records poses a risk to patient-psychiatrist confidentiality. Laws should be reformed to protect confidentiality in mental health care.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Addressing health inequities, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism, Workforce

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers bring valuable skills and knowledge to the practice of psychiatry.

Antipsychotic medications as a treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Dementia, Professionalism

This guideline has been rescinded pending review. PDF Clinical guideline

Direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals

Ethics, Professionalism

Direct-to-consumer advertising runs counter to the principles of best possible care for mental health consumers. Accordingly, the RANZCP advocates for a revision of the current legislation allowing direct-to-consumer advertising in all countries where it is currently operating.

Specialist old age psychiatry workforce and training

Old age, Professionalism, Workforce

Old age psychiatry focuses on the mental health of older people. RANZCP and the Royal College of Psychiatry UK have agreed to cooperate on initiatives to increase the training and skills of its workforce. 

Service Model for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry in Victoria

RANZCP submission into improving quality and patient flow via a new service delivery of CLP in Victoria.

Deliberate self-harm CPG and associated resources

Addressing health inequities, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Professionalism, Self-harm

Guidance on the clinical management of deliberate self-harm (DSH) and the organisation and delivery of services. PDF Clinical guideline

Schizophrenia CPG and associated resources

Addressing health inequities, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Professionalism, Schizophrenia

Guidance addressing all aspects of the care of people with schizophrenia and related disorders. Includes correct diagnosis, symptom relief and recovery of social function.
PDF Clinical guideline

Alcohol policy

Alcohol, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism

A national public health approach is required to reduce alcohol consumption, addressing drinking culture and increasing the availability and range of treatment services. PDF Report

Acknowledging and learning from past mental health practices

Addressing health inequities, Culturally safe practice, Historical practices, Professionalism

In the past, some psychiatric treatments were provided without an evidence base. Certain treatments were ineffective, harmful or distressing to patients.

Children of parents with mental illness

Addressing health inequities, Children & adolescents, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Professionalism

Evidence-based interventions and preventative steps can be taken to support parents with mental illness, reduce risks to children and enhance their resilience.

Child sexual abuse

Children & adolescents, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Professionalism, Trauma

Treatment by trained professionals minimises the initial effects and long-term consequences of child sexual abuse.

Recovery and the psychiatrist

Addressing health inequities, Collaborative care, Professionalism

Recovery is an important principle in psychiatry, with transformative potential for all people with mental illness.

Guidance for psychiatrists working in Australian immigration detention centres

Addressing health inequities, Asylum seekers and refugees, Ethics, Professionalism

This guideline was rescinded in April 2024. PDF Clinical guideline

The economic cost of serious mental illness and comorbidities in Australia and New Zealand

Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Physical health, Professionalism

This report estimates the annual cost of premature death in people with serious mental illness is $15 billion (AUD) in Australia and $3.1 billion (NZD) in New Zealand. PDF Report