The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has urged Australians to look after themselves and their loved ones this holiday season.
College President, Dr Michael Wright, said that reaching out and helping others can make all the difference.
"The holiday season can be a challenging time for many Australians," he said.
"Many of us can have family and relationship pressures, financial pressures may become more obvious, and isolation and loneliness can be at their worst this time of year too. So, during this festive season please try to look after yourself and the people in your life. It can be a good time to reflect on how your year has been, and to consider if you want to make changes – and to seek professional help if you want support. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as any other health issue."
Dr Wright said Australia is facing high levels of mental health issues throughout the year, and GPs are often the first port of call for diagnosing and treating mental and physical health conditions.
"Our 2024 Health of the Nation report revealed that 71% of GPs cite mental health in their top reasons for patient consults, up from 61% in 2017," he said.
"I'm also very concerned about patients delaying mental health care due to cost-of-living pressures – one-in-five Australians delayed seeing a mental health professional due to costs last year, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
"This is why we've been calling for increasing patients' Medicare rebates for GP mental health and longer consults, so this essential healthcare is affordable for all who need it. The Government can do much more to ensure all Australians can access affordable mental health care.
"I also encourage my GP colleagues to prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing. At this time of year GPs are very busy helping patients, and it's important that we look after ourselves too, and seek help if we need to."
