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
164 episodes
Psychopathology Part 2: Abnormalities of perception
The second part of this series delves into the fascinating world of perception, exploring normal sensations, illusions, hallucinations, and their cultural influences. Join us as we discuss how the brain constructs reality, the differences betwe...
Psychopathology Part 1: An Introduction
In this conversation, Dr Vinesh Gupta and Professor Femi Oyebode discuss the critical role of psychopathology in psychiatry, the evolution of the DSM, and the implications of pathologising human behaviour. They explore the importance of underst...
What story should psychiatry tell
This conversation explores the impact of storytelling in psychiatry, emphasising how narratives shape identity and influence recovery. Dr Rory Hutchinson, Ms Bianca Millroy and A/Prof Warren Ward discuss their personal experiences with function...
RANZCP's International Project: Ophelia
In this episode, we delve into the transformative journey of the Ophelia Project, a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing mental health care for children and adolescents across the Pacific region. Join Dr. Kartika Goundar, Dr. Paul Robert...
The Leading Women of RANZCP: Dr Astha Tomar
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...
RANZCP's International Project: CO-CAPIT
Dr Nick Kowalenko and Dr Daniel Issa explore the critical need for child and adolescent psychiatry in Cambodia, highlighting the CO-CAPIT project, which aims to provide online training for local doctors. Their discussion emphasises the importan...
NZ Conference 2025: Unconscious bias and institutional racism in mental health: Naming, confronting, transforming
Despite decades of reform, Māori continue to face persistent and systemic inequities within mental health services in Aotearoa. These inequities are not solely the result of limited access or funding but are deeply rooted in unconscious bias an...
Hypergraphia and other writing disorders
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of writing disorders, exploring the intricate connections between creativity, neurology, and mental health. From the compulsive scribbles of hypergraphia to the challenges of agraphia, we unc...
NZ Conference 2025: He ara toiora: The History of Māori Development in Mental Health -from exclusion to leadership
In this episode, Jason Haitana and Kaumatua Ronald Baker explore the historical and contemporary challenges faced by the Māori community in accessing mental health services. They discuss the impact of historical events, such as wars and legisla...
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...
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 audienc...
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...