Editorial standards

This page is the rulebook for the masthead. It exists so a reader can see how we work without having to guess.

Independence

The journal is editorially independent of any university clinic, hospital, private practice or product company. We are not the Macquarie University Emotional Health Clinic and we do not accept instructions from advertisers about what an essay may conclude. Paid or guest-post links, when we accept them at all, are disclosed in the copy and carry rel="sponsored".

What these essays are — and are not

Essays are general information for a wide audience. They are not a personal diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a substitute for a GP, psychologist or emergency service. We do not take on readers as clients. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For 24-hour support see Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

Sources

We prefer named public sources: Australian guidelines, Medicare information, Beyond Blue, Healthdirect, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and peer-reviewed research that a reader can look up. We do not invent statistics. When the evidence is mixed, we say so. We write in Australian English and describe Australian systems as they are actually used — GPs, Mental Health Treatment Plans, Better Access, and the difference between a generally registered psychologist and a clinical psychologist.

Corrections

If we get a fact wrong, we correct it on the essay and note the change. Send the URL, the error, and the better source through the contact form, choosing “Correction”. We do not quietly rewrite history to avoid embarrassment.

People in the copy

Composite examples are labelled as such. We do not identify children. We do not publish another person’s health information without a clear public-interest reason and, where possible, consent. Guest writers must not invent professional titles.

Images

Photographs are Creative Commons or public domain, self-hosted, and credited on the essay and on the image credits page. We do not use stock photographs of distressed children as decoration.

Conflicts

Authors declare relevant financial interests — a book, a course, a clinic — in the essay or the byline note. The write for us page sets the same rule for guests.