Latest news

Here you'll find our press releases, our official responses to external events and other news from around the College.

We also have dedicated news pages for our Devolved Nations (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales/Cymru).

One consultant psychiatrist for every 2,500 people who will experience a mental illness each year in England, latest census shows
One consultant psychiatrist for every 2,500 people who will experience a mental illness each year in England, latest census shows

People who have a mental illness are unable to access vital care and treatment due to "unsustainable” staff shortages, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) is warning today.

More information Press release
13mar by RCPsych Press Office
Houses of Parliament
RCPsych comments on Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act becoming law

Professor Subodh Dave, Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, responds to new legislation around the prioritisation of UK medical graduates for training places.

More information Statement / comment
12mar by RCPsych Press Office
The conflict in the Middle East 2026 – a letter of support
The conflict in the Middle East 2026 – a letter of support

RCPsych President Dr Lade Smith has written a letter of support following recent events in the Middle East.

More information Statement / comment
06mar by RCPsych Press Office
Davina McCall backs the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ call for more action on menopause and women’s mental health
Davina McCall backs the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ call for more action on menopause and women’s mental health

RCPsych has published its first-ever position statement on menopause and mental health and Davina McCall is backing our call for more action on menopause and women’s mental health.

More information Press release
01mar by RCPsych Press Office
Young women sitting at wooden table with sandwich on a plate and orange juice in front of her.
RCPsych uncovers £2.1million planned spending cuts for children’s eating disorder services in England

New RCPsych analysis published during Eating Disorders Awareness Week reveals that 16 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England are planning a total of £2.1 million in cuts, after adjusting for inflation, to children and young people’s services.

More information Press release
26feb by RCPsych Press Office
UK’s top psychiatrist raises alarm over threat posed by 'silent mental health pandemic' to patients, society and the economy
UK’s top psychiatrist raises alarm over threat posed by 'silent mental health pandemic' to patients, society and the economy

The President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr Lade Smith CBE, is calling on the UK Government to address the “silent mental health pandemic” affecting people across England.

More information Press release
18feb by RCPsych Press Office
children
Half a million children on mental health waiting lists in England risk turning to AI chatbots for support, warns RCPsych

This Children's Mental Health Week, we have identified that there are currently 550,610 children and young people who have been referred to mental health services in England and on waiting lists for treatment.

More information Press release
11feb by RCPsych Press Office
RCPsych responds to benefit changes for mentally unwell offenders detained in hospital
RCPsych responds to benefit changes for mentally unwell offenders detained in hospital

President Dr Lade Smith CBE comments on changes to universal credit for people who have a severe mental illness and are being detained in hospital after having committed a serious offence.

More information Statement / comment
17jan by RCPsych Press Office
westminster
RCPsych responds to new legislation on prioritisation of UK medical graduates

Professor Subodh Dave, Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, comments on the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill.

More information Statement / comment
15jan by RCPsych Press Office
Buckingham palace
RCPsych recognises valuable contributions in the 2026 New Year Honours list

The College applauds the countless partners, friends and colleagues who have been recognised for their extraordinary contributions to mental Health in The King's 2026 New Years Honours list.

More information Online news
29dec by RCPsych Press Office
  • One consultant psychiatrist for every 2,500 people who will experience a mental illness each year in England, latest census shows
    One consultant psychiatrist for every 2,500 people who will experience a mental illness each year in England, latest census shows

    People who have a mental illness are unable to access vital care and treatment due to "unsustainable” staff shortages, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) is warning today.

    More information Press release
    13mar by RCPsych Press Office
  • Houses of Parliament
    RCPsych comments on Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act becoming law

    Professor Subodh Dave, Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, responds to new legislation around the prioritisation of UK medical graduates for training places.

    More information Statement / comment
    12mar by RCPsych Press Office
  • RCPsych menopause position statement launch
    RCPsych secures wide-reaching engagement and influence on menopause and mental health

    The College launched its first ever position statement on menopaise and mental health in the House of Commons on Monday, on a day when we secured mass media coverage as well as the support of parliamentarians, the healthcare sector, celebrities and well-known influencers.

    More information Online news
    11mar by RCPsych Press Office
  • Scotland’s Mental Health Hustings 2026
    Scotland’s Mental Health Hustings 2026

    With the Scottish Parliament election rapidly approaching, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland – in its role as secretariat for Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership (SMHP) – hosted a hustings bringing together leaders from across the political spectrum to discuss mental health care.

    More information RCPsych in Scotland news, Online news
    11mar by RCPsych in Scotland
  • The conflict in the Middle East 2026 – a letter of support
    The conflict in the Middle East 2026 – a letter of support

    RCPsych President Dr Lade Smith has written a letter of support following recent events in the Middle East.

    More information Statement / comment
    06mar by RCPsych Press Office
  • 'Waves of Hope' wins at PROSE awards
    'Waves of Hope' wins at PROSE awards

    The RCPsych book 'Waves of Hope', published in partnership with Cambridge University Press has won the Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry category at the prestigious Association of American Publishers Awards for Professional and Scholarly Excellence (PROSE).

    More information Online news
    04mar
  • Davina McCall backs the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ call for more action on menopause and women’s mental health
    Davina McCall backs the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ call for more action on menopause and women’s mental health

    RCPsych has published its first-ever position statement on menopause and mental health and Davina McCall is backing our call for more action on menopause and women’s mental health.

    More information Press release
    01mar by RCPsych Press Office
  • X social media logo being shown on a mobile phone with a laptop computer being shown out of focus behind it
    Update on the College's use of the social media platform X

    This statement sets out the College's current position on our use of the social media platform X, including why we are remaining on the platform for now.

    More information Statement / comment
    26feb by RCPsych Digital team
  • Young women sitting at wooden table with sandwich on a plate and orange juice in front of her.
    RCPsych uncovers £2.1million planned spending cuts for children’s eating disorder services in England

    New RCPsych analysis published during Eating Disorders Awareness Week reveals that 16 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England are planning a total of £2.1 million in cuts, after adjusting for inflation, to children and young people’s services.

    More information Press release
    26feb by RCPsych Press Office
  • Woman holding glass of wine
    Record alcohol deaths in Northern Ireland prompt urgent calls for minimum unit pricing

    Health leaders have written to the First and Deputy First Ministers calling for urgent action after alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland reached their highest level on record.

    More information Statement / comment, RCPsych in Northern Ireland news
    20feb by RCPsych Press Office