Planetary Health and Mental Health Advisory Group

Background

The Planetary Health and Mental Health Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) was established to provide expertise, guidance and oversight of College work as it relates to planetary health and mental health, aligned to our strategic goal to reinforce the environmental sustainability of the College.

The Advisory Group will oversee and support a range of activities to increase awareness of the nexus between climate change, health and mental health, promote sustainable practices within psychiatry, and provide clinical expertise for College activities in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The College is committed to taking meaningful action to address the impacts on our communities and healthcare systems as a result of climate change, and we recognise the importance of engaging and working with our members, other specialist medical colleges and governments on issues relating to climate and sustainability.

The Group will run from December 2025–September 2026.

Purpose

The College recognises the increasing mental health disorders and rates of suicide associated with the impacts of climate change as set out in Position Statement 106.

Improved dissemination of existing research and further research is required to better communicate and understand the cumulative impacts of climate change on mental health and how it can best be addressed in psychiatric practice. The RANZCP is committed to supporting and developing further discussion to better understand the impacts of climate change and how they relate to mental health.

Work

Responsible to the Membership Engagement Committee (MEC), the Advisory Group will provide strategic advice and guidance on the College’s role as it relates to climate, sustainability and mental health. Activities include: 

• Providing a pool of clinical and research expertise which can support College activities and submissions.
• Facilitating knowledge dissemination within the College, and assisting with the review, curation and promotion of existing resources that would be relevant to members in the area of Planetary Health and Mental Health.
• Providing subject matter expertise to assist with the development of education, training, and continuing professional development. 
• Engaging with the College membership, including with Psychiatry Interest Forum members, to help increase awareness of Planetary Health and Mental Health. 
• Providing representation of the RANZCP, in line with College processes and appointments, in cross-disciplinary meetings and discussions relating to Planetary Health. 
• Liaising with organisations such as Doctors for the Environment Australia and OraTaiao 

Executive Committee

Dr Cybele Dey
Prof Anthony Harris
Dr Anna Elliston
Dr Calogero Longitano
Dr Lara North

Related College position statements

• The mental health impacts of climate change
• Addressing the mental health impacts of disasters and crises

Related webinars

• Heat and mental ill-health – evidence, patient care and prevention
• Climate change and mental health webinar series

Related submissions

• National Health and Climate Strategy
• Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2023