Psych Matters
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 Agreement
Expert 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
Episodes
178 episodes
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 the...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 impu...
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...
Victorian Psychiatry Leadership Framework: A Commitment to Ethical Leadership and Human Rights
In this episode, we explore ethical leadership in psychiatry, particularly in the context of the Royal Commission into Mental Health Care. Dr Nardine Elzahaby leads the discussion with Professor Sharon Lawn, Kerry Hawkins, and Professor Neeraj ...
Congress 2025: Metro Champions of the Bush
In this episode Associate Professor Mathew Coleman interviews Professor Bruce Singh and Professor Pat McGorry as they explore the experiences and insights of rural psychiatry in Australia. They also discuss the challenges and rewards of providi...
Congress 2025: Telehealth: The Good, Bad and the Ugly
Recorded live at the RANZCP 2025 Congress in the Gold Coast, this podcast features members of the Section of Private Practice Psychiatry. Dr Michelle Atchison and Dr Gary Galambos join host A/Prof Jeffrey Looi to discuss the benefits and challe...
Female phenotype in Autism and implications for clinical care in psychiatry
This podcast on Female phenotype in Autism and implications for clinical care in psychiatry explores the autistic characteristics in women and girls - often referred to as the female phenotype - which suggests that autistic women and girls have...
Elder Abuse – The Need to Do Better
This episode delves into the complex issue of elder abuse, exploring its various forms, including financial and institutional abuse, and the impact of ageism on care for older adults. Dr Yoram Barak and Professor Henry Brodaty discuss the impor...
The Leading Women of RANZCP: Dr Kym Jenkins
This series is dedicated to honouring the pioneering women who have shaped the history of RANZCP as past presidents. Out of the 55 individuals who have held this esteemed position, only nine have been women — and with a female president current...
Navigating Competency-Based Medical Education
This podcast explores the implementation and challenges of Competency-Based Medical Education within the RANZCP Fellowship Program. It features insights from medical educators and trainees on the importance of flexible assessments, effective fe...
The Leading Women of RANZCP: Dr Elizabeth Moore
This series is dedicated to honouring the pioneering women who have shaped the history of RANZCP as past presidents. Out of the 55 individuals who have held this esteemed position, only nine have been women — and with a female president current...
Fresh Perspectives in Psychiatry: The Foundation’s Role in Supporting New Ideas
In this episode, Associate Professor John Allan and Dr Rory Hutchinson interview recent recipients of RANZCP Foundation grants and scholarships, discussing their research projects, what inspired them to pursue psychiatric research, and the chal...
The Leading Women of RANZCP: Dr Janice Wilson
This series is dedicated to honouring the pioneering women who have shaped the history of RANZCP as past presidents. Out of the 55 individuals who have held this esteemed position, only nine have been women — and with a female president current...
Findings from the Royal Commission Report into Defence and Veteran Suicide
This episode focuses on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, exploring the inquiry's process, key challenges and the recommendations aimed at addressing the systemic issues contributing to veteran suicides. Dr Andr...
Balint Groups
In this episode of Psych Matters, Dr Daniel Brass interviews psychiatrists in public and private practice, psychiatry trainees, GPs and other doctors about their experience of participating in and leading Balint groups and the value of this asp...
Are Psychedelics for You?
In this episode, our speakers discuss the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment for conditions such as depression and PTSD. ...
Women's History Month: Women Treating Women
In this episode, Dr Tina Rizkallah discusses the complexities of women's mental health care with Dr Karen Williams and Dr Rajlaxmi Khopade. They explore the systemic barriers and unique challenges that women face, emphasising the importan...
Women's History Month - Mary Barkas: The Forgotten Pioneer of Psychiatry
In this episode, Dr Rob Kaplan delves into the extraordinary yet often overlooked life of Mary Barkas, a pioneering New Zealand psychiatrist who defied societal norms and gender barriers in the early 20th century. She became the first female do...
Youth Offending in New Zealand and the need for a multi-agency coordinated approach (2 of 2)
In the second episode of this two-part podcast, Dr Enys Delmage and Dr James Gardiner continue their exploration of the importance of effective, proactive multi-agency collaboration in adolescent forensic mental health settings. T...
Women's History Month: Women Mentoring Women
In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Psych Matters and Women’s Psychiatry Network have collaborated to produce this episode with Dr Tina Rizkallah and her gues...
Youth Offending in New Zealand and the need for a multi-agency coordinated approach (1 of 2)
This two-episode podcast examines the importance of effective, proactive multi-agency collaboration in adolescent forensic mental health settings. In this discussion, Dr James Gardiner and Dr Enys Delmage cover common presentations and highligh...
Navigating Leadership in Psychiatry with Dr Mark Lawrence
This episode, developed by the RANZCP Section of Leadership and Management (SLAM), Associate Professor Robert Parker (Chair of SLAM) explores Mark’s journey into leadership and management and aims to encourage and inform Early Career and other ...