Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)’s Post

On this Juneteenth, the need to develop a safer, non-carceral response to mental health emergencies, other than calling 911, rings loud and clear. As the recent deaths of Wiz Rosario and Ryan Gainer demonstrate, calling 911 during a mental health crisis can cause irreversible harm. Therefore, the standard recommendation of calling 911 during a mental health emergency is not the safest option. See Wiz Rosario and Ryan Gainer's stories here: https://lnkd.in/gVPMicaC https://lnkd.in/gTTKw_Vb   While some guidelines for mental health crisis management at least acknowledge how police involvement carries risk, they do not go into the role anti-Black (and other forms of ) racism plays, nor the risk of police shooting. Furthermore, there is little recognition of how carceral practices persist in emergency room and inpatient settings. What would it look like to set a new standard of care whereby we account for this risk, instead of ignoring it altogether? This effort is already underway through the Antiracism in Mental Health Fellowship, where healthcare providers worldwide are coming together to bridge the gap between clinical care and sociopolitical reality. As healthcare providers, we can no longer stand by with our hands in the air while another death moves in and out of the news cycle. We owe the people more than this. The time for a new standard for care during mental health emergencies is now. Enroll in the Antiracism in Mental Health Fellowship to learn how (edu.rupileghamd.com). Rest in power, Daniel Prude. #inclusivehealthcare #mentalhealthjourney #antiracist #healthcareprofessionals #patientcare #mentalhealtheducation #clinicalpractice #mentalhealth #antiracisminhealthcare #mentalhealthtraining #culturalsensitivity #healthcareequity #mentalhealthinitiative #medicaltraining #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthcare #mentalwellness #antiracistfellowship #fellowship #psychiatrist #psychiatrists #antiracism

🚨The #YouthMentalHealth Crisis: A Time Bomb We Cannot Ignore🚨 The latest report from #TheLancet #Psychiatry Commission is a wake-up call that should shake us to our very core. Released just yesterday (link in comments), it paints a harrowing picture of the #mentalhealthcrisis among our #youth—a crisis spiraling out of control, threatening the very fabric of our society. We are facing an #EPIDEMIC of unimaginable proportions. The numbers are staggering: nearly **1 in 3 young people** 🌍 are grappling with mental health challenges. #Suicide is now the leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds💔. And yet, we continue to turn a blind eye, dismissing the suffering of our youth as nothing more than "hormones," "rebellion," or worse, blaming it all on #socialmedia 📱. This comprehensive eye opening report makes it clear: this is NOT just about social media. The roots of this crisis run deep—#poverty, #climateanxiety 🌡️, #violence 🛑, #wars, and #systemicfailures are just a few of the toxic forces our youth are battling daily. We have created a world so chaotic, so broken, that our young people are literally losing their will to live 😞. ‼️WE CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THIS ANY LONGER.‼️ Our youth are the future—if we lose them, we lose everything 🌱. It’s time to stop blaming the victims. It’s time to take responsibility. We need to overhaul our #approachtomentalhealth, invest in prevention and support, and—most importantly—we need to LISTEN 👂. This is not just a youth problem. This is a HUMAN problem. We are on the brink of losing an entire generation to despair. **Will we continue to turn a blind eye? Or will we finally take action before it’s too late?** The clock is ticking 🕰️. **Our survival depends on it.**

We see you. As mothers we understand how easy it is to reach out for the support our children need, but when it comes to taking care of our needs, we often place ourselves on the back burner. We know how hard it can be to admit that you need help, to reach out, and to take that first step. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. It means you are ready to take care of yourself so you can be the best version of yourself for your child and family. It's the beginning of a journey towards healing, understanding, and finding balance. Whether you struggle with birth trauma, postpartum depression, medical trauma or anything perinatal related, we are with you every step of the way. You are not alone. You are strong. You are brave. And you are deserving of support. 🔗 Link in bio. #PerinatalSupport #PostpartumCare #MomSupport #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCareForMoms #YYCMom #CalgaryMoms #AlbertaMom #EncircledTherapy

In our ongoing Grand Challenge, it’s all about Ecosystem Activation! We’re tackling wicked problems by uniting diverse groups—like pediatrics teams from across the country and media organizations like PBS. Together, we’re creating a self-organizing system that’s more than just collaboration; it’s real-time impact. When these groups share resources, knowledge, and even financial contacts, we see unprecedented momentum. It’s a transformative way to fight the stigma around mental health and substance use disorder. This progress is inspiring! https://lnkd.in/eH4nr4aU #EcosystemActivation #GrandChallenge #MentalHealth #EndStigma

As part of Suicide Prevention Month, we’re revisiting one of our most important blog posts: "From Despair to Hope: Recognizing and Responding to Suicidal Thoughts". In this article, we discuss how to recognize warning signs and offer support to those who may be struggling. It’s crucial that we continue to educate ourselves and others, staying prepared to help guide someone from despair to hope. We invite you to read or revisit this post and help spread awareness this month and beyond. 💚 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gbhbYrS7 #SuicidePreventionMonth #MentalHealthMatters #DesertCloverPsychiatry #FromDespairToHope

The all party parliamentary group on birth trauma had some harrowing findings for us today. We need to do better for those we care for, families, future families and our staff. Safe care starts with us and so many of us don’t feel safe and work to burnout in order to provide the best care we can. Hopefully change is on the way https://lnkd.in/ebZiA2-p

🧠✨ Understanding the Impact: Early Life Traumas 🌱🚸 Dr. Marwa Azab sheds light on the profound effects of early life stress and trauma. Such experiences can significantly impede both psychological and physical development, leading to a heightened vulnerability to diseases throughout life. From causing elevated stress hormones to stunting psychological and physical growth, the consequences are far-reaching. 👶💔 These early adversities don’t just cause immediate distress—they shape health outcomes for a lifetime, emphasizing the need for supportive interventions and understanding. Let’s educate, support, and heal together. 🌟🤲 #EarlyLifeStress #ChildDevelopment #MentalHealthAwareness #PsychologyFacts #TraumaInformed #HealthyDevelopment #StressResponse #GrowthImpairment #ChildhoodTrauma #DiseasePrevention #PsychologicalSupport #Heal #Nurture #DrMarwaAzab #BrainDevelopment #ChildHealth #EmotionalWellbeing #SupportTheYouth #Educate #Awareness #HealthAndWellness #MentalHealthMatters #PediatricHealth #TraumaAwareness #LifelongHealth #CommunitySupport #UnderstandingTrauma #EarlyIntervention

In 2023, we aimed to tackle one of the biggest contributors to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders: loneliness. The logistics of being an expecting and new mom—transportation, medical appointments, nap and feeding schedules, bad weather, illness—make connecting with others nearly impossible. These challenges are even more significant for those moms who face financial barriers due to SDOH, placing them at much greater risk for developing postpartum and anxiety. So when we designed our community program at Canopie, we decided to meet these at-risk moms where they are. In their home.  Virtually through our online community classes and support groups. Come as they are.  On camera, off camera. Participate. Or observe. Our co-founder and CEO Anne Wanlund was particularly committed to how moms felt when they engaged with our particular community—safe, included and empowered. Our community groups were led by experts and focused on universal challenges of all moms—like birth prep and sleep. Over the course of 10 online gatherings, 92% of our moms said they felt a greater sense of community and less lonely. As we look to address the maternal mental health crisis and deliver equitable support, it’s clear that community and shared experience will play a pivotal role—and can be deeply impactful delivered virtually.

Birth trauma refers to the physical and emotional injuries that can affect mothers, birthing parents, babies, and anyone present during childbirth, including husbands, partners, and other witnesses. These experiences can have long-lasting effects on wellbeing. Severe physical complications and long-term health issues may arise, while emotional trauma can lead to a range of mental health issues including postpartum depression, anxiety, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Birth Trauma can also impact infant developmental challenges and bonding with baby. Birth Trauma Awareness Week, starting today, highlights the importance of compassionate care and comprehensive support. This year’s theme, 'Informed Consent,' emphasizes the crucial role of ensuring that expectant parents are informed and actively involved in decision-making processes around birth. To find out more information, visit Australasian Birth Trauma Association's website here 👉️ https://lnkd.in/gCVUfDbs #BirthTraumaAwareness #saferbirthsbetterhealing

Black Youth Mental Health Crisis: A Call to Action The American Academy of Pediatrics rightly declared child and adolescent mental health a national emergency in October 2021. But for Black youth, the crisis is even more acute. Suicide rates are rising faster among this group than any other. We need to prioritize the mental well-being of Black youth. This means: Increased access to culturally competent mental health care. Black youth deserve therapists who understand their unique experiences. Breaking down stigma. Talking about mental health openly and honestly is crucial for seeking help. Addressing the root causes. Racism, poverty, and violence all contribute to mental health struggles. Let's work together to ensure all young people have the support they need to thrive. #BlackMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #ChildrensMentalHealth www.game-changersinc.org