This episode revolves around the importance of youth mental health and the need for specialized care for young people. Dr Astha Tomar facilitates this discussion with distinguished panel members Prof Patrick McGorry, Dr Iain Macmillan, Dr Daniel Pellen, Dr Leonardo Sauaia,  and Dr Ian Soosay. They cover the deterioration of youth mental health in high-income countries, the impact of the pandemic, along with the need for increased funding and research in mental health care, and the challenges of accessing mental health services in rural and remote areas. They emphasize the importance of co-designing services with young people and their families, as well as the need for culturally sensitive care.

Dr Astha Tomar is the President-Elect 2023-2025 for RANZCP and will step into the role of President RANZCP from June 2025 to June 2027. She is the Director Clinical Services at Orygen Youth Specialist Program. She also works as a private psychiatrist

Prof Patrick McGorry is a psychiatrist known world-wide for his development and scaling up of early intervention and youth mental health services and for mental health innovation, advocacy, and reform. He is a Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and founding editor of the journal of Early Intervention in Psychiatry.

Dr Iain Macmillan has been a consultant psychiatrist since 1995. He has worked as a consultant in early intervention in psychosis, and youth mental health since 2003, and has a particular interest in the treatment of the affective psychoses including bipolar disorder and depression with psychosis.

Dr Daniel Pellen has been the chair of the RANZCP Binational Section of Youth Mental Health Committee since 2020 and is currently leading a group whose aim is to develop a sub-specialty in Youth Psychiatry. He is Clinical Lead of the Early Psychosis Intervention team in Western Sydney, works in private rooms in Sydney and has provided a specialist referral service at Headspace Bondi Junction. Daniel has also provided general Psychiatric outreach services to the rural New South Wales town of Armidale for the past six years.

Dr Leonardo Sauaia is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, originally trained in Brazil, moved to New Zealand in 2014, and currently with Orygen Youth Health to work in early intervention for Personality Disorders.

Dr Ian Soosay is the clinical director for Mental Health at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau. He was the deputy director of mental health at the ministry of Health New Zealand and been involved in many initiatives promoting Mental Health.

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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. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.