Mental health in general practice anxiety, depression & ADHD: Practical insights for primary care

A full-day CPD programme for vocationally registered GPs, GP registrars and nurse practitioners, focused on the assessment and management of common mental health conditions in primary care.

This day responds directly to two areas of growing responsibility in general practice: the post-1-February-2026 ADHD prescribing rules enabling vocationally registered GPs to initiate stimulant treatment in adults, and the increasing complexity of depression and anxiety being managed without secondary-care support. It combines clinical updates, practical guidance, and reflective discussion — all grounded in real-world primary care contexts.

Programme overview

Following registration and a pōwhiri or mihi whakatau, the day runs across four sessions:

• Session I — Adult ADHD: assessment and diagnosis under the new Te Whatu Ora framework (Dr Andrew Darby)
• Session II — Stimulant treatment: initiation, titration and controlled-drug monitoring (Dr Andrew Darby)
• Session III — Depression: sequencing, switching and shared-care when first-line approaches are insufficient (Dr Sangeeta Dey)
• Session IV — Complex anxiety, and risk and suicide assessment when secondary-care backup is limited (Dr Sangeeta Dey)
• Panel & Q&A — Joint session with all presenters

An equity lens for Māori, Pacific and rural patients — including hauora Māori and whānau-centred approaches to care — is threaded throughout the day. The programme closes with MOPS reflection prompts and a feedback survey.

Who should attend

Vocationally registered GPs, GP registrars, nurse practitioners, and other primary care clinicians with an interest in mental health.

What to expect

• Evidence-informed updates relevant to New Zealand primary care.
• Case-based discussion and practical tools.
• Time for questions, discussion, and shared learning.
• An equity lens across Māori, Pacific and rural contexts.
• RNZCGP CME points can be claimed; MOPS reflection prompts provided.

For enquiries or additional details, please contact: steven.lillis@waikato.ac.nz.