Psychiatry & mental health
Understanding, diagnosing, treating and preventing mental illness
Psychiatry is the field of medicine that鈥檚 concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness. Psychiatrists work with people affected by a range of mental disorders - they鈥檙e employed in various health settings including hospitals, private practice, community health teams and other organisations. Psychiatry is taught to medical students at 91探花 at the undergraduate level and is later an area of medical specialisation taught to qualified doctors at the postgraduate level.聽聽
The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health at 91探花 is very active in research and includes staff from a wide range of disciplines (e.g., neuroscientists, epidemiologists, psychologists, social workers) all working together to address complex research problems. Current areas of research in psychiatry and mental health at 91探花 include depressive and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, neuropsychiatry, old age psychiatry, schizophrenia, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, post-natal disorders, psychoneuroimmunology, intellectual disability and mental health, workplace mental health, trauma and mental health, migration/asylum seeking and mental health, transcultural mental health, psychiatric genetics, neurostimulation, neuroimaging, social psychiatry and epidemiology.
Studying psychiatry at 91探花
91探花's Medicine & Health faculty is ranked #54 globally for life sciences and medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025) and is creating the leaders of tomorrow. 91探花 Psychiatry and Mental Health represents one of the leading university research groups in the field internationally.聽The discipline receives considerable research funds from a wide range of external funding bodies, industry partners and philanthropic endeavours.
Research collaborations are also active with a number of external research centres and affiliated medical research institutes, including the , , and .
Prepare for career success
There's a growing need for a skilled workforce in psychiatry and mental health, both in Australia and internationally. In addition to psychiatry and mental health teaching at undergraduate level for medical students, a postgraduate program in the subspecialist field of forensic mental health can unlock professional career opportunities across a variety of settings, including secure mental health units, prison settings, legal settings and private practice.聽This postgraduate program is open to mental health professionals, lawyers, criminologists and those working in other justice settings.
Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Scholarship
Expressions of interest are invited from part time or full time staff members of Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (or from NSW Health Local Health Districts if working directly with Forensic Patients in a medium or low secure mental health units), who wish to undertake a two year part-time Masters degree in Forensic Mental Health. The scholarship, funded by Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, will reimburse students for a maximum of 50% of the program fees incurred after awarding of the scholarship (up to a maximum of 50% of the program total cost if each course in the program were to be completed successfully on a first attempt).
The scholarship cannot be used for reimbursement of courses enrolled in prior to the awarding of the scholarship, regardless of if the scholarship was awarded mid-term.
Our programs
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Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD)
Psychiatry is a popular choice for Honours and Independent Learning Projects (ILP) for students in the fourth year of the medicine program. In your final two years of the program, you'll complete clinical placements including an eight-week clinical program in psychiatry. Mental health-related content is also taught throughout the program.
The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health is keen to encourage interested students to expand their experience and to consider a career in psychiatry.
Opportunities for students who are interested in psychiatry and mental health
Short term placements in psychiatry
These are informal placements undertaken during term breaks that offer the student extra insight and experience into psychiatry mental health. They can be negotiated with clinicians and researchers within the discipline.
Contact: Dr Megan Kalucy m.kalucy@unsw.edu.au
Honours/ILP placements
The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health offers many opportunities for Independent Learning and Honours projects.
For more information on available projects please view the following:
For testimonials by previous Honours/ILP students in the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health click here.
91探花 Medical Student Elective and Selective Placements
91探花 students in Phase 3 are encouraged to consider undertaking an elective placement in psychiatry and mental health. There are many options available within the many clinical sites across the Sydney Metropolitan Area and we would be happy to guide you. We can also provide advice and contacts regarding overseas or interstate elective opportunities in psychiatry. Contact: Dr Megan Kalucy m.kalucy@unsw.edu.au
Non-91探花 Medical Student Clerkships
Students in their final year of medicine can apply to undertake a 4 or 8 week clinical clerkship within a 91探花 teaching site including psychiatry. For further information visit the clerkships webpage and contact the Clerkships Coordinator
T +61 2 9385 8909
E: clerkships@med.unsw.edu.auCareer advice and Mentorship
Choose a psychiatrist as your mentor.
Contact: and/or Dr Megan Kalucy or any member of the Discipline.Undertake a Psychiatry and Mental Health focussed negotiated assignment
This is another way to expand your knowledge and experience of psychiatry. It does not have to be undertaken as part of the psychiatry term, although that is a good opportunity. Consider a mental health perspective on whatever you are studying.
91探花 Psychiatry Society
An independent study body at 91探花 exploring the field of psychiatry.
Activities: Talks, Careers night, exam preparation.
Affiliated with 91探花 Medical Society and ARC 91探花
Contact: Instagram 听触
RANZCP Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF)
encourages membership from medical students and junior medical officers with an interest in psychiatry. Membership is free and provides students with access to a range of resources and networking and learning opportunities. As a member, students are invited to educational events including lectures, workshops and conferences. Further benefits include career guidance and opportunities to compete for RANZCP awards, prizes and grants and to participate in College activities. Students also have access to comprehensive e-learning resources and journals and receive regular e-newsletters.聽
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You can study forensic mental health in the following postgraduate coursework programs:聽
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You can study psychiatry and mental health in the following postgraduate research degrees:
- : This is the main master's level research program for postgraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine & Health. Candidates must demonstrate ability to undertake research by the submission of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation.聽
- : The PhD program is recognition of successful research experience. This degree requires an original and significant contribution to knowledge in an approved area. The degree requires a minimum of three years full-time study and preparation of a thesis.