Psychological issues are the most common health issue managed by General Practitioners across the country, making up almost 40% of patient consultations according to the Royal Australian College of GPs last Health of the Nation survey.
This World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2023, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is putting the spotlight on the role of GPs in providing mental health care for their patients.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, a GP in Mackay with a special interest in adolescent mental health, said GPs are often the first port of call for people experiencing mental health issues.
"Across Australia every day, GPs are at the coalface delivering care and supporting patients as well as their families through their mental health journey. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience to contribute to help Australia address its mental health crisis," she said.
"GPs are the cost-efficient engine house of the healthcare system – we keep people healthy and out of hospital. And we do a lot when it comes to mental health care, which many people don't realise.
"GPs are integral to mental health care, working together with mental health specialists, including psychiatrists and psychologists, in multidisciplinary teams to ensure patients get the care they need. So, it's essential that GPs are included in mental health policy development and planning at all levels.
"Nine out of 10 Australians see their GP every year – so you get a lot back when you invest in general practice and mental health. This is an investment in peoples' health and wellbeing, in keeping people out of hospital, and from needing more expensive health services. GPs are the key to creating this positive change early on.
According to the RACGP's 2022 Health of the Nation Report:
- psychological issues are the most common health issue managed by GPs
- Patients are more likely to see a GP for their mental health concerns than any other healthcare professional.
- Around 38% of GP consultations in a typical week include some mental health component, and in many of Australia's remote and regional communities, GPs often provide almost the entirety of mental health treatment for residents,
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 40 per cent of Australians aged 16-85 years have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime, with one in five experiencing symptoms within the past year.
The RACGP President also doubled down on calls for investment to improve access to care, especially in regional and rural communities.
"Mental health consultations cannot be rushed, these are complex and often very sensitive issues," she said.
"Longer consultations need to be affordable for anyone who needs them, no matter where they live or how much they earn. There is urgent need to increase funding for Medicare patient rebates for longer consultations, so no patient misses out on the care they need."
