GPs Call for Mental Health to Be Prioritised in Climate Policy
29 Oct 2025
Dr Kate Wylie, Executive Director of Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), stated that GPs require better training and resources to address mental health issues related to climate change.
“If we are not properly resourced or trained, it will have serious consequences for our patients,” she said.
New research published in *The Lancet* reveals that heat-related deaths in Australia increased by 44% between 1990–99 and 2012–21.
In 2024, heat exposure led to 175 million lost work hours, translating to $8.4 billion in lost income. With forecasts predicting a warmer-than-average summer, DEA warns that climate change is increasingly impacting Australians’ mental health.
At a recent gathering in Canberra, DEA presented an updated report detailing how climate change affects mental health across Australia.
The report incorporates new national and international research, including the National Climate Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Plan, underscoring the urgent need for mental health expertise to be integrated into climate policy.
“Children and young people are especially vulnerable,” Dr Wylie noted, pointing out that climate-related stress, eco-anxiety, and trauma from extreme weather events are becoming significant challenges for GPs on the front lines.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ latest *Health of the Nation* report found that 71% of GP consultations involve mental health concerns, reinforcing the need for stronger systemic support.
Dr Wylie urged the inclusion of climate change and associated mental health issues in Medicare item numbers, along with standardized training for all healthcare providers.
The healthcare sector is also taking steps to address climate change with the recent release of Accelerating Towards Net Zero: A Guide for the Australian Health System, offering guidance for healthcare organizations aiming to reduce their carbon emissions.
Source: newsGP
