News

ASoP was pleased to attend the 2026 AMA Colleges, Associations and Societies Meeting in Canberra, which brought together leaders from over 50 medical colleges, associations and societies across Australia. The forum provided a valuable opportunity to connect across the profession and engage in national conversations about the future of our health system.   The programme spanned key priorities, including innovation in prevention, how we train and support the next generation of

ASoP was featured on ABC 7.30 in a national report examining the growing pressures on Australia's mental health system, following the tragic events involving patients absconding from Cumberland Hospital. The story highlighted serious concerns about system capacity and safety, alongside longstanding warnings from clinicians and the experiences of families seeking answers. ASoP CEO Dr Pramudie Gunaratne contributed to the discussion, and the 7.30 team also attended our recent s

On Saturday, the Australian Society of Psychiatrists (ASoP) hosted a sold-out symposium reflecting on the findings of the Bondi Junction Inquest and asking a simple question: where to next? The theme that echoed throughout the day was clear: we cannot let another report gather dust. For decades, mental health care in Australia has been examined, reviewed and reported on. Too often, tragedy is followed by attention — and then a drift back to 'business as usual'. The opening ad

The Australian Society of Psychiatrists (ASoP) Board recently gathered in Sydney for our first in-person strategy day, with board members travelling from across the country to come together in the same room. After many months of building the organisation through Zoom calls and countless conversations, it was a valuable opportunity to spend time together discussing the direction and priorities for ASoP. As a new organisation, there is a great deal for us to work through, and

The tragic events in Western Sydney, following patients absconding from Cumberland Hospital, have deeply affected many across our community. In the days that followed, ASoP engaged with national media — with our CEO speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC News Radio, ABC News and Nine News — to provide clinical context and keep the conversation grounded in evidence, not fear, emphasising that people with severe mental illness are far more likely to be vict

ASoP CEO Dr Pramudie Gunaratne was recently on Channel 10 backing calls from Teach Us Consent to Fix Our Feeds . This urges the Australian Government to act and introduce an opt-in feature for social media algorithms so we can bring affirmative consent to our screens and turn our feeds on and off at will.

ASoP is featured as the lead piece in MJA Insight+, exploring "The pressing need for a new voice for psychiatry in Australia." “Mental health care in Australia is facing a critical crisis, marked by declining inpatient capacity, escalating demand, and widening gaps in community-based services. The absence of a strong, public-facing voice for psychiatry has contributed to poor community literacy and policy inertia.” This article outlines why the profession must step forward wi

On Friday morning, ASoP CEO joined Today on Channel 9, following the release of the Bondi Junction Inquest findings. It's a heavy moment — for the families who are grieving, and for a country confronting the consequences of a system that has been allowed to fray. The findings echo what clinicians, consumers and families have long known. The challenge now is whether we move beyond acknowledgement to real, sustained change.

The Bondi Junction Inquest findings have laid bare serious systemic failures across our mental health system. This is a profoundly difficult time for the families of all those who lost their lives at Bondi Junction, and for everyone whose lives were forever changed by that day. Our thoughts are with them, and with the wider community who continue to carry this grief. ASoP is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the national conversation. Below is a clip from one of t

This powerful commentary from Dr Pramudie Gunaratne, CEO of the Australian Society of Psychiatrists (ASoP), examines Australia's mental health system failures and the urgent need for a fundamental shift in how mental health care is funded. Published on the eve of the Westfield Bondi Junction Inquest findings, selected excerpts from the article are shared below. “We live in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet, and yet we have deserted people with severe mental illnes

'Aftermath: Lessons from the Bondi Junction Inquest' is a one-day hybrid symposium, convened by the Australian Society of Psychiatrists (ASoP) which confronts the difficult questions raised by the Bondi Junction Inquest — and asks what must change. Serious harm rarely arises from a single failure but from the cumulative effects of fragmented care, missed warning signs, constrained services and unclear accountability. This symposium brings together psychiatrists, legal expert

In the day after the Bondi mass shooting, thousands of people reached out for help. Lifeline recorded its busiest day of 2025, receiving more than 4,300 calls for support and seeing a 150% surge in website visits. Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline also reported increased demand from people across the country. ASoP CEO Dr Pramudie Gunaratne said these numbers speak to how deeply such tragedies can touch individuals and communities – emotional shockwaves would extend well beyond th

The shocking violence at Bondi Beach has left our community shaken and grieving.   ASoP acknowledges the profound hurt, fear and distress being felt within the Jewish and wider Bondi community following this attack. Antisemitism and racism in all forms must be unequivocally condemned — they have no place in Australian society, and everyone has the right to feel safe in their city.   Psychiatrists across the country are horrified by this act of terrorism and extend their deepe

The latest report from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) paints a stark picture of Australia's mental health system. Mental health patients are now waiting more than 23 hours in emergency departments for a bed — a figure that has worsened significantly over the past decade. Demand is rising, presentations are more complex, and emergency departments are being left as the default entry point for crisis care without the resources to respond safely. Amid thes

The Australian Society of Psychiatrists (ASoP) had the privilege of attending the AI in Mental Health Roundtable at Old Parliament House in Canberra. The event was opened by The Honourable Emma McBride (Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) and brought together leaders from across the mental health, government and technology sectors. With artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshaping how Australians — particularly young people — seek support, this disc

ASoP is proud to sign on in support of Dr Joe McGirr's Rural Health Action Plan — a clear, solutions-focused roadmap to improving healthcare access for rural and regional Australians. The plan calls for stronger local services, a better-supported workforce, and fair access to specialist care. These priorities are especially urgent in mental health, where rural communities face higher need and fewer resources. By backing this plan, ASoP reaffirms its commitment to improving ru

ASoP CEO, Dr Pramudie Gunaratne, and Public Affairs Executive, David Faktor, were privileged to attend the Federal AMA Mental Health Committee meeting to introduce the Society. We are looking forward to continue collaborating with the AMA.

The latest 'AMA Public Hospital Report Card: Mental Health Edition' lays bare what psychiatrists, clinicians, and families have known for years — Australia's mental health system is under extraordinary strain, and the consequences are increasingly impossible to ignore. The report reveals a stark reality inside our hospitals and emergency departments. Demand is climbing, resources are shrinking, and mental health conditions — already a major and growing component of public hos

The Australian Society of Psychiatrists was officially launched on Thursday 6th November 2025. We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from new members and we are so excited to represent the voice of Australian Psychiatrists moving forward! If you missed the launch, you can view our webinar recording below. We will be in touch with our new members very soon! ASoP launch initial keynote presentation: ASoP launch Q+A with board and executive:

We are honoured to announce Professor Allan Fels AO as an inaugural Patron of ASoP. Professor Fels brings a distinguished career spanning law, economics, public service, and mental health advocacy. ​​ He served as the inaugural Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) from 1995 to 2003, following his leadership of its predecessor agencies. ​​ In academia, Professor Fels was Foundation Dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG